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The record of the person selected should disclose successful practical experience in the application of statistical methods, preferably in relation to public health, education, or labor. This experience should not be merely routine compilation, but should include the original planning and developing of the statistical project in all its details. For the position in the Indian Service it is highly important that the person should have had practical experience in designing record and table forms and in modern methods of tabulating and computing with the use of mechanical labor saving devices. The person should also have had successful administrative experience in directing the work of assistants and in dealing with coördinate or superior officers and with the public.
Duties of Statistician. The first duty of the person selected should be to make a thorough study of the various administrative, social, and economic problems of the Service to determine what quantitative data are necessary or desirable to furnish a basis for better administrative direction and control of activities and more deliberate planning and development. Such a study would require several weeks of intensive personal effort, and would result in the formation of fairly definite concrete statements of what is theoretically necessary or desirable.
Improvement of Basic Field Records. The next step should be a thorough study in coöperation with the administrative officers and with the various specialists in both the Washington office and the field to determine to what extent it is practicable to make the original records of the various types of activity serve the three purposes of (1) Giving the field workers the necessary record of work done to guide them in the intelligent planning, conduct and review of their work; (2) furnishing to the supervisory officers both in the field and in the Washington office an adequate basis for reviewing and directing the activities of field workers in direct contact with the Indians; and (3) furnishing statistical data for the preparation of statistical reports necessary for administrative control, analysis of progress, or public information.
Practical statistical experience has abundantly demonstrated the desirability of exerting every effort to make the system of records and reports serve these three purposes. Not only is it more eco-