The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-06

A line drawn north and south through Center
county would place eleven Of these cities-Phila'
dclphia, Scranton, Reading, Wilkes.Barre, far'
risburg, Lancaster, Allentown, Chester, York,
Willamsport and Easton-in Eastern pcnnsyl.
vania, and scvcn-Pittsburg, Allegheny City,
Erie, Altoona, Johnstown, New Castle and NC
Kccsport-in the western half OF the state.
little figuring shows that the average percentage
OF increase in the eleven eastern cities was 309i
and that of the six western cities (not counting
New Castle) 41.03, q difference Of only l.o9
per cent. in favor OF the entcrprising communi-
ties west OF the Alleghanies. The average in.
crease for the eastern cities is materially affected
by the poor showing made by Williamsport
charming and wealthy little place, but whose
prosperity is seriously affected by the decline
of the lumber trade, upon which its fortunes
have been built and by the inability Of its citi.
zens to secure other industries to take the place
Of this main prop. This uniform rate Of growth
in the larger communities throughout the state
indicates a general diffusion OF prosperity and
enterprise which argues we'll for the future vel.
fare Of Pennsylvania
Another interesting fact revealed by the cen.
sus is that unless the growth of Allegheny coun-
ty, as indicated by its three cities-Pittsburg,
Allegheny City and McKeesport-is materially
accelerated in the future, Philadelphia's lead in
population will not be threatened for many
years. The actual increase in the three cities
named during the past decade was 12l,074. while
Philadelphia added 246,733 to its population.
This leaves large margin OF safety for the
Quaker City.
One Of the curiosities OF these state figures is
the almost dead heat in the race of Johnstown
and McKeesport for population during the past
twenty years. In 1880 the former city had $3.50
people and McKeesport SEE. In 1890 Johnstowr,
notwithstanding the terrible calamity that visit
cd it, had slightly increased its lead with
population of ol,s05 to McKeesport's 20.Hl, and
this year it still keeps slightly in front with
1896 people to McKecsport's 34,227. A little
extra effort on McKeesport's part may reverse the
positions in the census Of 1910.
A popular fallacy that New York state has
more large cities than Pennsylvania is disproved
by the new census. That state has only twelve
citics-New York, Buffalo, Albany, Troy, Roches.
ter, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, Binghamton,
Elmira, Yonkers and Auburn--that have popu-
lation exceeding 25.OoO TO be sure, the average
population of these cities is considerably larger,
owing to New York citys immense size, but
then it is also notable that their growth is
much slower. Albany actually lost in popula.
tion during the past decade, declining from
0i,923 to 04,151, and Troy also shows a slight
loss from 1900 to 1900. Elmira's population in.
creased only 1547 per cent. Binghamton's 1926,
Auburn's 1875, and Syracuse's 2295 per cent.
Inc average eEOWtl HuS oecu soWcr tHdu
with Pennsylvania cities.
The palm for numerous large and fourishing
communities must, however, be yielded to Massa.
chusetts, which has within its narrow limits
twenty cities with population in excess Of
5000. Ohio has nine such cities-Clevcland,
Cincinnati. Toledo, Columbus, Dayton, Youngs.
town, Akron, Springfield and Canton-al Of
which, except Cincinnati, have made very sub.
cfo fin1 ftprino In tan
Jersey does still better with ten cities above
the $1,000 mark-Newark, Jersey City, Paterson,
Camden, Trenton, Hobokcn, Elizabeth, Bayonne.
Atlantic City and Passac. Illinois, though third
in population among the states, has only seven
cities OF any considerable sze Chicago, PEORIA
Quincy, Springfield, Rockford, Joliet and East
st. Louis and OF these Chicago and Peoria are
the only ones with population OF over 5O,0OO.
Compared with her sister states, Pennsylvania
can present bunch Of fourshing cities, OF
whose number and rate Of growth she may we'll
be proud