Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-22
Fifteen Leading Cities.
.Greafer New York including Brooklyn, etc

*Cirepter New York including Brooklyn, etc.
Therefore. In gain in the annual expan-
sion of building operations Washington last
wear stepped up ahead of eight and possibly
ten Gf Boston and Baltimore, not quoted.
are included cities holding over her a
strong lead in population. In gross gains
she is exceeded only by the four greatest
cities viz: New York, Chicago, Philadelphia
and ST. Louis. In the percentage Of gain
she leads all four, except st. Louis.
The foregoing fluctuations read no false
note concerning the present rate of increase
In our popula Non The cause of Washing
toms some what belated growth particularly
In its earlier stages, was explained in part
in The Star few days ago. marked
change from this characteristic lethargy set
in just after the Spanish war. coming with
revival Of business confidence from the
shock OF the financial crisis of 1893 Ger
tain favorable forces then began to operate,
which have since vastly increased in both
volume and potency. Our growth in pop
ulation is now responding in full measure
to those forces 1t is rapid enough to sat
fsfy the NEST eXacting Washingtonia That
Is demonstrated not only by our building
operations. but also by the forthcoming
city directory. which shows that the rate
of increase now Is about 1900 per an
mum. against no more than an average of
900 per annum previously. This ratio
VIII increase to l5,G0o this year. Our hand
some gain in 1860. shown above. would have
been disappointingly less but for the re-
vival which began in '97 A very large
surprise is in store here for the census
enumerators In 1910.
There are circumstances in which large
increases in expenditures for new build
ings might be q false criterion of a citys
Intrinsic growth. They might, for instance.
indicate the erection of large and expen-
sive pulhaic buildings here, with nothing do
ing on the outside, or palatial fair build
lngs for temporary purpose, as in ST.
Louis and Buffalo within the last nve
years. Such is not the case in Washington.
Flats and Residences.
1t is visible to the naked eye that the
nearly s14.0e1,0o0 expended here in lpo3
went largely into flats and residences. Inc
vast spread of the city and the street ex-
tensions are also indubitabie proof OF TINS
fact. This class of improvements mora
unerringiy represents population than any
other. There has been business building
and public building in this town, OF course,
since the opening of the present decade
and century. but palpabiy the great vol
ume OF building has been outside the ,busl-
ness districts. There are fewer "empttes,'
now than usual and the building of hats
and residences goes right on
1t may be remarked, too, that the extra
ordinary expenditures for fair buildings IN
Buffalo and St. Louis did not mark mere
temporary or ephemeraf squirt In the ex-
pansion of those cities. Bunaaofs gain last
year was small by comparison with wash
fngton, but it was gain. nevertheless.
over the tremendous operations In that
town In lB04 The Increase In st. Louis -
simply amazing. ana Indicates growth
there which must put the fourth ct1y 81