Salt Lake Tribune | 1904-05-28 | Page 4 | The Population Estimates

THE POPULATION ESTIMATES. Census Director North defends his population estimates, which were sent out acme weoka ago, ntd which caused so much 'criticism. HUdofonse Is valid, of course; he proceeded oiv a definite nnd general basis, a we pointed out at the tune, taking no note of special conditions which would modify that basis either for Increase or decrease. de-crease. Illy bavls was one of general averages, such as any expert would naturally use in making such estimates. His figures for Salt Lake City, for Instance, In-stance, gave tho estimate of some 57,-000 57,-000 population here. This, as we held at the time the flgureo were published, is clearly too low, but It is not so much too low as Mine might .think' It is of no value to the city to make extravagant estimates of I la population, and It doesn't really hurt anything to make an estimate that Ih too low. Our idea of Mr. North's figures Is that he put the population here about 5000 too low; but as he had no special knowledge knowl-edge of the condition!) here that make for' the enlargement of the ratio which he umiI for his calculation, he is not to be particularly blamed for his underestimate. under-estimate. "We are aware that this thing of special factors making for Increase are always pleaded in behalf of every city when a population estimate Is put forth which does it Injustice, or seem to do so; but the case is so plain here. In the In cretins of houses, which are all eagerly taken as soon as finished, in the Increase of school attendance, and in the new naim?j In the directory, that there can be no doubt about it.