BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 
The basis for the local statistics contained in the preceding 
chapters (unless otherwise noted) is a Census of the Russian Ger- 
man Settlements taken March 15 to April 15, r914. It had been 
the desire of the writer ever since beginning this study in 1907 
to secure such material, but there were obstacles in the way. 
Chief among these was the exclusiveness of the people themselves. 
Unacquainted with such investigations, and suspicious of their 
purpose, any attempt to secure this information through a house 
to house canvass by one outside their own number would result 
in their “shutting up like clams” and refusing any returns. 
Publicity in the matter would not help, for it would only arouse 
more questioning, and possibly a concerted resistance to the plan.* 
The people’s sense of obedience to the law had led them to give 
prompt and correct answers to the federal census takers, whose 
work had been explained through school and pulpit ; but the case 
of a private census was different. There was no pressure which 
could be brought to bear upon them by law, so appeal must be 
made through some definite interest by persons in whom they had 
complete confidence. 
Although the writer had enjoyed six years of acquaintance 
and most cordial relationships with many of the Russian German 
families of the settlements, it was impossible for her to make the 
canvass because the people could not be made to understand how 
one outside their own number could have other than a selfish or 
1 This is in striking contrast to the attitude of the negro population of 
Lincoln a few years ago, when a study of this people was made by two 
graduate students of the University of Nebraska. See Marsh and Davies, 
Study of the Negro in Lincoln, 1904. All that was necessary to secure the 
cooperation of the negroes was an announcement from the pulpits of the 
various colored churches of the city that investigators would call to secure 
information, and, without exception, they were received cordially, and 
obtained answers as nearly correct as the negroes were able to give. 
Instead of resenting it as an intrusion, the people were pleased at the 
attention shown them. 
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