Evening star., 1899-04-24
DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT
Nh. Carroll D. Wright Discusses History and
Progress.
Lecture Delivered Under Auspices OF
Valuation CoIOred Race.

An interesting lecture was given satur-
day afternoon at the Columbian Un.ver-
sity by Mr.. Carroll u. Wright on The
Economic Development of the District" II
was another lecture in the series under the
auspices of the Washington Academy Of
Sciences. having some phase of the history
of the District as its subject.
After reviewing the facts relative to the
origin of the District and tracing its pro-
gress. the speaker said that the indus
trial development of the District has not
been commensurate with the growth of
population. The economic development
from a sociological point of view has been
unique. presenting phases and elements not
to be found in any other city in the coun-
try. and perhaps in the world. While the
products of the factories are considerable
amounting in 1890 to over $39.Oo0Hno the
analysis shows that but very little of the
product is sent out of the city. The goods
made by the manufacturers of Washington
are practically consumed by its inhabitants.
Property Values.
IF We turn to the wealth of the city,
the most satisfactory results are observed.
In 1880 the true valuation of real and per
sonal property amounted to S2TO per capita.
while the per capita for the United States
at large was SnS: 1860 showed a vast in
crease, the. per capita in this city rising
above the average for the country, and
having steadily risen in advance ever since.
In 1890 the total valuation for Washington
was $}43. 100000. or nearly 81 500 per capita.
against 81 1.Gi6 for the United States. The
per capita wealth Of the District of Column
bia is greater than that of any of the
states in the Union except the mining
states.
Up to 1876 the federal government had
expended in the District of Columbia for
public and private purposes. exclusive of
salaries. little over s92. 100000. Since the
creation of the new government il has
expended over 800. 600, ,0O0-that is in about
twenty-five years it expended more than
in the seventy-six years prior thereto. The
agitation for the removal of the capital
ceased. People found here a pleasant win
ter residence. They erected handsome
buildings-palaces. in fact. Values appre-
ciated rapidly. The real estate men have
been instrumental in a very large degree
in carrying on the improvements that make
the present city of Washington. They
formed the board of trade. and the board
of trade has exerted it's influence always
in the interest of the prosperity of Wash
ingtOn. 1t is not too much to say that
Washington owes a debt to what it likes
to call sometimes the Spectators in real
estate
other Factors.
Another factor exists here which makes
the economic conditions of Washington
unique. There are employed under the fed
eral government in the District, in round
numbers. 10000 persons, to whom is paid
more than So, 900 900, or an average of a
little over 81 100 per capita. These 10000
persons represent with themselves 10000
of the population. The expenditure of this
vast sum annually preserves the CONNER
cial stability of the city Industrial de-
pressiOns, except in their moral effect. do
not seriously cripple the business affairs
of Washington. Civil service has helped
10 keep together this body of employees,
for when the permanenCe Of their position
is assured they settle here, buy real estate
and build homes.
Speaking of the Colored race, Mr.. Wright
said:
They have a few representatives in the
cIerkships of the government. They have
their professional men, and old families
of means and standing-in fact, an aris
tOcracy which is COnmendable for its in
te'ligenCc and progressive ways-but the
in a large degree from the higher lines Of
service. They must earn their living at
common labor This state of affairs con-
stitutes an economic problem. Probably
any attempt to solve it will meet with dis
aSter. The industrial development of Wash
ingt0n does not offer for the future suffi-
cient opportunity for the absorption of this
great body of our citizens"
In conclusion he said: The dream at the
beginning Of United States history that the
capital city of the nation would become
great commercial emporium has not been
realized. and II is well that it has not. 1t
is the only instance of any Importance
where a capital city grew from the rough.
As il has grown without industry, without
commerce. Is ii not well to preserve Wash
ington as the center Of Legislative action,
of scientific development. of art and of edu-
cation? 1t can prosper on these lines and
the country at large, ! believe, will gladly
support and encourage 1t in its future grand
development"