The Washington times., 1917-10-11
WILL
TAKECENSUS
Of DISTRICT
NOVEMBER |
BY BILL PRICE.

A police census OF Washington, to
begin November l, unless unexpected
developments require the attention OF
the force along other lines, will de-
termine the exact population OF
Washington at that time.
Major Pullman, superintendent OF
police, is already starting the plans
for accurately polling the number OF
people within the District and de-
clared today that the work OF his
officers, which will take hye or six
weeks, may be depended upon in
every way. The Bureau Of Census OF
the United States has, after past cen
susss taken by Washington police
COMMUNICATED the department upon It's
careful and trustworthy work.
.-- Population 100000.
Commissioner Brownlow,, under
whose supervision the police depart
, nent Is placed, and Major Pullman
hesitate to make an estimate OF the
present population of the District, but
Major Pullman can see nothing less
than 400 900 residents here, ard
thinks that 1t may go higher. seere-
tarv Baker, of the War Department
IN a recent speech, optimistically sug-
rested that Washlngton's population
has doubled as q consequence OF tne
war.
-when used to go to New York
and return to Washington the quiet
ness here always made New fofk
show up in its real form" said MAJOR
Pullman, but when I returned from
New York a snort time. ago l was I'M
pressed with the hustle ana Dusue
throuRhout Washington, the streams
Of humanity pouring through the
streets. the crowds in hotels, restau-
rants, and lunch rooms, the great In
crease in the number of automobiles
and traffic generally. 1t certainly
made me feel that Washington hao
Jumped to a position as one of the big
cities Of the country"
District officials realize that con-
siderable percentage of the daily rush
of people in Washington is transient,
due to many reasons, among them the
coming and going of representatives
Of concerns doing business with the
Government, arrivals and departures
Of soldiers. sailors, and Government
agents. and the usual number Of visi-
tors. This percentage is regarded as
small, however, compared to the new
people who are here to stay.
Many Take Homes.
The rapid absorption Of vacant
homes in Washington, known to real
estate men and police officers, tells
the rear story of Washington's in
creased population. And there is little
doubt that the bulk Of this population
will be virtually permanent It is q
splendid and valuable addition to the
future Of the city, according to Of
ncial view. Hundreds OF wealthy men
serving the Government from patrf-
otic motives have brought their fami-
Hes here. renting houses and apart
ments, some OF them already making
arrangements to purchase homes. To
live in Washington once, to enjoy its
high class people, means permanent
residence here. when there is wealth
to back up the wish.
The thousands Jf new clerks. who
have come to enter Government en-
ploy, are spoken Of by department
heads as typical Of the best there is
in America Some Of them hesitate TO
purchase homes now. awaiting the de-
Velopments of the war, but il is the
almost unanimous conclusion Of Gov
ernment officials generally that when
the war Is over the Government will
be unable to release a large number of
these employees.
The work in the majority OF Gov.
ernment departments has expanded
along lines that will be permanent,
and there will be no wholesale dis,
missal of employees. The bigness OF
the American navy will never dwin.
die: the American army, under peace
conditions. will be larger than ever
before; thousands OF people must