The Washington herald., 1911-12-31
"A half million population for
Washington.

"A half million population for
Washington"
This has become the ambition of
many business men for this city since
the publication of statistics by the Cen
sus Bureau several days ago, which
showed that during the past ten years
the population OF Washington has in
creased nearly 20 per cent.
The Washington Herald Yesterday in
tcrviewed prominent business men OF
the city for the purpose of ascertain
ing their views regarding the growth
OF this city They were asked to state
when they believed the population OF
Washington would reach the 100000
mark. Some placed the number of
years at ten. while others believe that
the city would attain that population
in less time
WILL AID GROWTH.
They were almost unanimous in the
belief that the establishment of manu-
featuring industries in Washington will
prove to he the greatest aid in increasing
the population They pointed out the
pOtentialites OF this city mHnufaC-
turing center. and expressed the belief
that Congress would some day pass the
necessary legislation that would make it
possible for manufacturers to locate
acre.
1t was pointed out that the social and
educational conditions in this city will
have some influence toward increasing
the population, but that this influence
will not be sufficient 10 cause a rapid
increase in the number Of residents.
Expressions from some of WashnEtOn's
most prominent business men regarding
the probability Of 10000 population in the
next few years follow:
Robert y. Harpcr'~ Views.
Robert n Harper. manufacturer and
president Of the District National Bank:
although there have been times when
the population Of Washington took sud
den spurts and increased very rapidly,
the increase for tho most part has been
a steady on" resulting from solid devel-
ormcnt.
Recent Census Office statistics show
that during the last ten years the popu-
latiOn has increased about % per cent.
During the next ten Years. | believe,
however. that the population will have
d llll'TI ill't idl'fl Si'N III ! Sh'''Sh'l''i
nCreases i'm size in manner similar to
the increase in size of a SNOWFALL When
once it IS started tn" aCCelCratiOn be-
comes more rapid.
I'm order to give the start necessary
Ia increase the number OF residents of
Washington. We must have more indus
tries in this city. General prosperity
throughout tn country will Of course
aid greatly in the growth of this city,
hut this will not be sufficient if we want
TO reach the 5o0,0On mark within the next
few years.
We must do something for ourselves.
We must increase the business Of our
city. When once city becomes known
as a thriving business center. people will
flock to il like moths to a bright light.
How can We expect people to come to
a city where the great percentage of the
employment. which We have to offer, is
clerical work? We must have industries
which call for skilled mechanics and la
borers. These are the classes which help
in the swelling of population.
Washington is fast becoming the So
ciaI and educational center of the United
States. and it is time that we should en-
deavor to take our place among the in
dustrial cities of the country When
once we do make this step the 50O,0Oo
mark in population will soon be reached
What w. r. Guide Says.
W Imam r. GuuV. FORMER president OF
the Chamber OF Commerce:
Fair treatment from Congress will do
more toward increasing the population
OF Washington to a half million than any
other thing. We are peculiarly situated
in this city, and must depend entirely
on Congress for our improvements If
given fair treatment by Congress our
city will grow rapidly as any other
city.
81 believe that We can get fair treat
men from Congress il we impress upon
its members the needs OF this city. Many
members Of Congress do not favor giving
Washington large appropriations, because
they do not know the truth about con-
ditions here. When once they have OK
planned to them the needs of this city
they are only too glad 10 fall in line
and help Washington.
81 believe there is not a member OF
either House Of Congress unwilling to see
the National Capital become the great
est city Of the country. If We can i'm
press upon them our needs they will do
their best to bring about this end"
Future of Eastern Branch.
NJ. I. Weller, real estate operator and
capitalist:
Establish factories along the shores
OF the Eastern Branch, and within the
next ten or twelve years the population
Of Washington will reach the 5OO,C
mark.
Manufacturing industries are what we
need to increase the number of residents
of this city. AS soon as we begin to
establish factories in this city the popu-
lation will begin to increase.
But before we can get industries in
Washington we will have to persuade
Congress to make il possible for such
establishments TO locate along the East
ern Branch We must have legislation
that will bring about the deepening OF
the branch and the draining OF the