Hi-Tech Census Costs, Accuracy in Doubt

_They would use the computers to collect and transmit information from residents who failed to return the census forms mailed out by the government.

_The computer system would track and manage workflow for all field operations.

_Harris Corp. would provide technical support for the computer system.

Harris Corp. spokesman Marc Raimondi said the company is committed to working with the Census Bureau to resolve any issues involving the handheld computers or the operating system.

He also said the computers actually are easy to use, with a failure rate of less than 1 percent when tested in the field.

"After you spend about 30 minutes to an hour familiarizing yourself with it, it's as easy to use as a modern cell phone," Raimondi said.

The success or failure of the census could have widespread repercussions. The Constitution has required a census every 10 years since the first one in 1790. It is used to apportion the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the states. And states and many cities use census data to draw legislative districts.

Population numbers are used to calculate billions in state and federal grants for transportation, education and other programs. Private businesses use census data to identify labor and consumer markets.

"It is a massive undertaking, and if it is not done right, it weakens the confidence in the data that is produced," said Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the top Republican on the House subcommittee that oversees the census.

"The reality is, we have to do the census, we have to do it well it and Congress will need to fund it," Turner said.