The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-15
WONDERS WORKED
IN CITY's STATUS
IN DECADE
Detroit, Called "Overgrown Village
Ten Years Ago, Now Recognized as
Commercial Center, With Rapid
ly Expanding Population.
Automobile Leading Factor In Great
Industrial Growth-Gateway To
Canada.

II was a very general opinion
fhroughout the country that the De-
troit of 1900 was nothing more than
1 somewhat overgrown village,
slow conservative unprogressiVe city
with little ambition and less business,
city of retired lumbermen and min
ars who built their homes In Detroit
( after spending their active careers IN
more wide-awake fields.
Whatever measure of truth there
was. In this criticism in 1900 there is
mo one who would venture to make IL
today. The facts about Detroit are
known in every corner OF the country
where a Detroit-made automobile has
stuck its hood, and would be too
atrong against any such assertion. In
= 1880 Detroit was thirteenth among
the cities Of the United States. While
4 Il was ono of the substantial manu-
featuring cities it was regarded as
city rather out OF the line of Industrial
progress. No one could deny Its
great natural advantages. as to situa-
fion, both from the standpoint OF the
&xmanufacturer and from the standpoint
Of the man who was TO make the city
.
did not seem to be here.
Then In the short space OF ten
years there came the awakening, the
slow conservative city put on seven
league boots and made such rapid
|stfides that Ii made up for all the OPP
portunities that had been lost in the
mast In the short period between two
ceusus enumerations. Today Detroit
Is Recognized as one OF the half dozen
cities of the United States that have
4 metropolitan future before them
and are taking advantage of the OPP
Dortunities for progress in every line
The census OF 1910 showed Detroit
t. be ninth I'm population among the
cities of the United States and one
q the fifty great cities of the world.
The astounding record OF growth OF
X 81 per cent In population In ten years,
~ larger portion of II within five years,
Established its position in the eyes
s OF the country,
At the present rate of growth the
population will be more than 100000
+ BY the time the next census Is taken,
and Detroit will be established as the
sixth city In the United States follow
/ ing after the five great cities, three
on the Atlantic coast and two at the
! waterways into the great west that
seem to be established forever as the
kEreat cities of the country.
Detroit, however. is destined to be
the gateway into another territory,
fully as rich as the great American
West and having the same wonderful
future possibilities. This great field
Il the Dominion of Canada, to which
Detroit offers unparalleled facilities
\ for access when once the gate is open
ed by a broad treaty of reciprocity.
This Is a development to which De-
t{oit can look forward; 1t is part OF
the future that Is In store for the city
Of the straits.
Automobile Great Factor.
1.-The main factor in advertising De-
tfoit has been the automobile. Ten
wears ago the automobile was an ex-
'periment. more or less interesting
and expensive toy. People stopped in
the street TO watch one go by and
owners We'd with one another in Sc
,l9cting terrifying names with which
IL brighten people who talked about
+; their machines Those days are al
most forgotten now. Automobiles
have long since ceased to be desig-
u
bered and license tags are getting
longer every year. II you stop in the
streets to look at one automobile you
stand a very good chance of being hit
fy four more coming from as many
directions. The automobile, especial
ii the Detroit-made automobile, has
become a part of modern civilization.
.t In the popularization OF the auto
mobile Detroit has had more TO do
han any other city In the world. Ten
Years ago the automobile factories OF
the city were two or three little exper-
mental shops that turned out few
Hundred cars a year. Today there is
more than s40,0O0,000 invested In
Dlants for the manufacture OF automo-
biles and parts in Detroit Workmen
by the thousands are employed In big
Jew plants all over the city and the
weekly payroll runs into hundreds OF
thousands. With the automobile es-
fablished as one of the necessities Of
modern civilization and the unparalleled
fhcilities for that industry that have
been built up in Detroit, the future of
fhe city seems to look ever brighter
Than the past.
Other Lines Expand.
hrgely, to the wonderful expansion of
Ne automobile trade, has forced an
6xpansion In every other line that
bnches the public or commercial life.
One OF the vital parts OF a modern
&ty Is it's transportation system. The
<eports OF the Detroit United Rail-
3ay for the past 10 years. show what
Ins been done along this line. The
kIleage OF the system has increased
8om 1876 miles of track to 755 miles
low Ina operation. There will be add
"a 10 this within the near future sew
rnl much needed additions to take
Ire OF the increased traffic.
The mileage given above includes
- suburban lines which are under
- control or the Detroit United.
>cse radiatc ont from Detroit in all
Affections, and give the city quick