The Washington herald., 1908-06-21

New York. June E-Manhattan Is los
ing population this year from two sources
the movement 20 the suburbs and the
rush or aliens back to their Old World
homes.
Instead Of gaining 5000 In population,
as has been the average during the past
few years. Manhattan may suffer a net
loss OF nearly that number. owners OF
fiat houses are beginning 20 feel the
change severely. Congestion is being re-
lleved in many sections and rents are
falling
Nearly 10000 immigrants a year have
settled in Manhattan during the past
few years. and as many more have
scattered through the suburbs. But the
sudden shift IN the alien stream prom
ises 10 take $1,000 out OF the metropolitan
zone this year instead OF adding 10000
70 the population. This will mean net
loss OF $4,000 over what might have been
expected from calculations based on sta
tistics Of the past few years.
Panic Turned Alien Tide.
The backward flow OF aliens began
with the panic. II has been maintained
in large volume. and is at its highest
figures. Steamship officers say it will
continue through the year. More than
10000 aliens will leave for the Old
World by the way OF New York-practi-
cally the same number that came here
last year. The net result OF the two
years movement viii be nothing. so far
as population is concerned, although the
aliens will take away something ike
S1oO0O0Oo0 OF savings.
The outward flow is regarded as n nat
ural reaction in the huge wave toward
these shores. The flow through the port
OF New York had been over a million a
year for several years. An average OF %
per cent settled in the metropolitan dis
trlct. Great masses pouring into Man
haitian overflOwed the old immigrant dis
trlcts and drove older population out Of
nelghboring sections. The movement was
the chief cause OF .congested population
conditions II spread rapidly into uptown
fathouse Centers.
100000 to Go This Year.
Now that the immigrant pressure has
ceased, many threatened neighborhoods
are assured Of G few years immunity
y
attracts the immigrant masses. II there
should be a revival OF great prosperity
next winter. as many economists are pre-
dieting the allen tide IS expected 10 turn
this way again with even greater force.
Such a return would threaten TO sweep
most Of Manhattan's middle-class home
centers.
Since the start OF this year 10000 aliens
have left through the port of New York
and 10000 have arrived. The loss Is
10000. During the same period last year
10000 left and $4,000 arrived. a gain Of
$4,000 The total loss for this year from
last years record IS thus 10000 for less
than six months. The outflow for June
is estimated at 2j0.0b. That for May was
TgS575.
Manhattan Chief Loser.
Manhattan is forced TO suffer the chief
loss I'm population because the movement
of old families 10 the suburbs has reached
large proportions. The new express lines
In all directions have opened avenues Of
escape from small crowded Manhattan
flats and the older fiat dwellers are SELF
ing the opportunity They do not have 70
be driven out by overflOwing immigrants
Independent OF the alien food, New
York's population. with that Of the
Westchester and New Jersey suburbs.
Increases 10000 a year as the result OF
births over deaths and the gain from
other parts OF the country. With Man
haitian losing more than its natural In
crease 20 the suburbs. the suburban gain
promises to exceed that figure.