The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-15


mitted at the last meeting OF the Cham
Der of Commerce was on the proposition
Of expanding industry in the District of
Columbia. The report was presented YER
bslly by r. n. Harper the newly APP
pointed chairman of the committee on
commerce and manufactures, and was in
tended 10 enlighten the chamber upon the
general plans and work Of the committee.
Mr.. Harper prefaced his talk by the OBJ
servatlon that while the committee fully
intended TO put forth its best efforts to
bring new industries to the city. It was
not expected that Washington would be-
come a second Pittsburg. He said it was
time for Washingtonians i'm considering
the subject OF planting factories here 70
stop looking at the problem through a
smokestaCk. Mr.. Harper declared that
his committee had as much at heart the
preservation Of the residence section from
the sordid surroundings of the factory as
any other citizens OF the Capital IN
mentioning manufacture. Mr. Harper de-
cleared that he did not mean an expan-
sion Of the smoke nuisance.
Many Need Employment.
II was shown that a necessity rests
upon the business community to provide
employment for the young men and wom-
en- who are born and grow up here. Mr..
Harper said the Capital was fast losing
its character Of an office-holdlng popula-
ton. The Capital now has about $4,000
people. and there is room for less than
one-thlrd Of that number in the govern
81,
presents itself either of providing en-
ployment for the young people Of the
District through expansion Of industry
or OF seeing these young people seek en-
ployment away from home In the States
10 build up other cities. lie thought
Washington would not be content 10 be-
come merely a place OF residence for the
rich and for old people superannuated
from the fields OF labor.
Fortunately Washington is much more
OF an industrial and commercial city
than many suppose who have not made
study Of the facts. and Mr.. Harper de
clared that the process Of education that
has been going on I'm the direction OF the
need OF industry and business would bear
important fruit I'm the years to come. for
he was satisfied that industry must come
and business must expand whether the
elite OF Washington wanted it or not
Large Economic Question.
Mr. Harper said that Washington was
confronted by an economic question OF
large proportions He said the idea was
abroad that the Capital Is an immensely
wealthy city and he admitted that much
wealth IS represented here, but that
Washington was far behind many cities
OF equal OF less population. chiefly be-
cause Of the lack Of industry TO make
upon the ground a large part Of the prod
ucts consumed, to keep the money here
end 20 employ 70 in wealth-producing
channels.
As conditions exist washington buys
far the greater part Of the commodities
consumed outside. 1t does not produce
what It should. and while the city may
have money, Il does not keep Il. as It
should do on true economic principles.
Mr.. Harper thought this wrong in prac-
tice and a fault that must be mended.
He hoped that q good many industries
suited 20 the city must be planted here
which would give employment TO the
younger portion Of the population and
keep the boys and girls here as wealth
producing forces. instead of Washington
continuing TO be a camping ground for
the recruiting Of industry and business
occupations in the other cities and IN the
States Of the republic. II was not good
policy or good business sense in his mind
20 raise and educate workers, only to
81. =
elsewhere.
Industry Produces Wealth.
As illustrative Of the wealth-produclng
value Of manufacture. Mr.. Harper read
some statistics showing the bank deposits
OF Washington as compared with those
Of other cities. He said the item Of bank
deposits was the best indicator Of the /
wealth OF n city that could be obtained I
for the purpose He said these deposits, (
while not representing all the money OF I.
the people or the value of invested prop |
erty. did represent pretty accurately the |
current Accommodations from the earnings !
Of the people and could be used in gen
eral way as indicative Of the economic |
value OF industry In a city as compared !
with one which has not such industry |
highly developed.
Washington, he said. according 10 the /
best figures now Obtainable. has a popu- /
lation Of 10000 and its bank deposits are /
SIS. 900 Providence. r. l., has a popu- |
lation of 10000 and bank depsits Of s15i.- |
100000. Albany has population of 10000 /
and bank deposits OF S13lOOOO0O. New +
Haven. Conn. has a population OF 10000 /
&c ~ o1n
Mich, has $4,000 people and sl9O.0o0OCO in
bank deposits. Rochester, n. Y. has a /
population of $4,000 and bank deposits Of 1
$50 10000
what Washington Lacks.
Similar statistics were given for num-
Der Of other manufacturing cities in diff
ferent parts of the country and the con-
olusion reached that in point OF accumu-
lated earnings from industry. business.
and the usual avocations OF life Wash /
ington was lacking. Mr.. Harper thought
this the most powerful argument that
could be found for the establishment Of \
the expansion OF trade. and the
fostering of the wealth-producing aren- |,
cles which are making the cities OF the /,
rich and powerful Mr.. Harper
said he did not wish to convey the i'm
preston that Washington is poor. as he
did not think it was. but that il needs
forces Of industry In many lines. trade in |,
many lines, and the employment Of the h
population In the producing Of what we
consume here to bring the city into line |:
with others of the nation as wealth-pro- /
ducers.
Mr.. Harpers talk made favorable i'm
preston upon the members of the Cham |,
Der, but probably not more than few