Arizona republican., 1919-03-19
The Miracle of Phoenix

Many inquiries made as to the population ot Phoenix and estimates run all the way from SoVo' to s5 O0o a pretty wide A year ago such esti- mates us could be made from the school census tho registration of voters and the city directory indicated d population of from 2S,OOo to S0ooo.
 The telephone company made an estimate based on the number of boxes within the corporate limits, A little less than 45oOO. The factor "S' used is said 10 have produced results wherever the estimate been confirmed. That would have given Phoenix population of S6Ooo. In order. though, to be conservative a number between and was taken as factor so that on that basis the population would have been 32OOO In fact that is the number the telephone company actually fixed for business pur- poses of the people living within that radius.
 The number of boxes within the same territory now is more than 5OOO that basis of s to the box the present population would be 4ooOo according 10 the same conservative estimate of a year ago. about S70OO Eight at the present time in the eN- tremey congested population with people living in habtations where telephones have not been installed is no doubt small factor to be used.
 We are, though, only trying to bring out the fact that the city is growing much faster than anybody except the who keep track of real estate magnes. Notwithstanding the high prices of building material there was great deal of building through the fall and winter and it Is now going on more rapidly than ever When drives through the residence district he IS amazed the building activity. not only within the city limits, but the country beyond it, rapidly filling up
 In spite of it all, rentals are excessively high higher it is said than anywhere else in the country.
 Every house is occupied hundreds of people ivng in improvised homes in alleys converted sheds and barns which bring from $lO s25 a month. Many of these residents would gladly pay more and could afford to do SO but the houses are not herc.
 They must be here though by next winter and we believe that ard-ooking of capital and real estate will that they here. There not be enough building 10 bring down rentals to a low figure. Perhaps not enough greatly reduce the rental now charged for good fair house. But the effect would be 10 empty the houses along the alleys and to make for hundreds of families who would otherwise pass many did last fall and summer
 The folly of waiting for building material 10 come down to pre-war prices is now apparent. In the opinion of competent 10 judge the apex of prices for lumber steel and all other building material will not be reached for a year. How long before they will begin to descend say But in all probability the old time prices have gone forever
 In these circumstances 1t is poor business to let vacant lot lie idle. to deprive self of the rev from it of say from $500 to $500 year. waiting for something that will never come.
 There arc some people who are accused of hog gshness because they let their property lie falow. 70 be enriched by unearned increment. resultn, from the activities of progressive neighbors. Any man in Phoenix who is holding out for the unearned increment now is paying for it all will be worth tn taxes and in the loss of revenue