The Washington herald., 1910-01-09

Rich, According to Statistics.
Much has been written about the amaz-
ing development of the automobile in
dugtry and the millions of dollars II has
added TO the returns OF the manufacturer.
Equally much has been written about the
changes wrought I'm the methods. Of
travel and the impulse given to business
By this fast way OF getting about city or
country, whether on purely commercial
errands or In the pursuit OF pleasure.
Recently a new suggestion has come
forward, that the automobile has become
a big factor IN the real estate develop
ment of cities. The idea is that the
automobile with other agencies enables
families to live at a distance from the
center Of the city or the business office.
enjoying the benefits OF suburban or
country life without unnecessary delay
in reaching the heart Of the city at such
times as the various members OF the
family may desire.
Rival of the Trolley Car.
It has been customary TO attribute to
the trolley car the principal impetus
toward the development of property in
the outskirts OF big and small cities. but
it may be a question whether the auto
mobile may not be largely responsible
for the hsgira going on everywhere to-
ward living IN the suburbs and the
country Il is quite true that the auto
mobile as yet is only within the reach
OF the rich or well-to-do family. The
trolley car is still the poor mans car
rage. as 1t will probably continue 10 be
for many years to come. but ii is equally
true that hundreds Of families with the
automobile in every city are living to-day
in bigger and better homes. removed from
the crowded streets. far out in the quiet
and peace Of the country. who would
never have sought such abodes with
out H.
In this way the automobile has become
a factor in real estate operations. II
has given direct impulse 70 the building
up of such suburban towns as Chevy
Chase, Sauls Addition, TakOma Park,
Brightwood. Brookland. North Langdon,
and Rainier Heights as we'll as several
country districts in Alexandria and Fair
fax counties in Virginia. II Is not likely
that the automobile has become so large
a factor IN such development as the
electric car The thing 10 be considered
is that it is slowly arriving TO that dig
nifty and in few years more will equal,
II it does not distance. its rival.
Automobile licenses in this city In
creased last year from !. 753 20 900 Not
all Of these new machines were bought
by people living in the suburbs Of Wash
ington, but many OF them were. and each
added its quota 10 the suburban and
country population.
Suburbs Develop Rapidly.
One thing is certain. not only in Wash
ington. but in every big city. the sub
urban development Is going on faster
than ever before. The city dweiIer has
found out that he can escape the noise
and heat Of the crowded section and live
in greater comfort far from the din Of
traffic. He can do this with less diff
Guilty than he could live down town
fifteen years ago. Consequently. we see
everywhere a scattering Of the city pOpu-
lation counuyward. Some 60 far afield.
and ii Is not uncommon now for the
banker TO live the greater part Of the
year from ten TO fifty miles from his
bank. coming into the city for three
months each year to be nearer the social
center.
Unfortunately no figures are at hand
to put In hard facts the number Of
families that have gone 10 the country
because Of the facilities offered by the
automobile. The automobile industry.
however. gives some figures which may
be used in this connection under proper
qualification.
Increase in Use of Automobile.
Ten years ago 800 cars OF domestic
manufacture were in use in this country.
now more than $4,000 are in use, and
automobile manufacturers and dealers
express confidence that the number will
reach 10000 before the end Of the cur
rent year Naturally a fair proportion
Of these viii be bought and added 10 the
number OF machines already employed
by the suburbanite and the rural dweller
who lives in the country and does bush
ness In the city.
Aided by the trolley car and the horse
less carriage the development Of sub
urban real estate may be expected 70 go
forward with increasing momentum this
year and in the following years. The
finger of fate points TO a new order Of
things in the life OF cities, and in the
coming years the suburban population
may be expected to ounumber that of the
crowded district wher the adjustment
now going on shall have been further
completed.