Guy E. Swanson

This study sampled a cross-section of adults living in the Detroit Metropolitan area. One of the emphases of the "Fiscal Research Program" portion of the study was on issues related to taxation. The respondent preferred that parks and garbage collection be supported by taxes or by use fees. Several items explored the respondent's satisfaction with various forms of taxation such as sales tax, income tax, and property tax. A second emphasis of the 1959 DAS was on religious beliefs and activities. The questionnaire explored such topics as the existence and characteristics of God, the amount of influence the respondent felt God had in his/her life, and how the respondent thought God would "feel" about various situations. Membership and level of activity in formal organizations was ascertained for both the respondent and the respondent's spouse. The respondent was also asked to evaluate the performance of several institutions and professional groups such as colleges, the Federal Courts, doctors, and scientists. In addition, the respondent was asked to list the problems in the United States which were badly in need of change along with who was to blame for the problems and what could be done to solve them. Demographic information collected included sex, race, age, education, place of birth, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, length of time at present residence, marital status, number of children, original nationality of husband's and wife's family, political affiliation, and amount and sources of income.