The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-10
5000 Pc. Gain
IN j. s. TRADE
IN 100 YEARS
National City Bank Gives Stats
tics Showing Condition Gen.
fury Ago and Today.

A comparison. Of conditions under
which the United States entered 1922
with those Of the corresponding year
of the preceding century gives US re-
newed confidence in the Industrial
and commercial future of our coun-
try, according to the National City
Bank. The population, which in 1922
was less than 10000. 900. is now 1917
900. 900, or more than ten times that
Of a century ago. The population
of the world as q whole has increased
but $50 per cent meantime.
Our International commerce even
in the present moment of depression
10 sixty times as much as that of a
century ago, having grown from
sos, 100000 in 1921 to nearly ST.
000. 100000 in 1921, International
commerce Of the world in 1891 may
possibly total forty times that of a
century ago, when 1t stood at 81,
SIS. 200, 900. o.,
This growth with us has been
largely due to increased facilities Of
transportation. In 1921 our great
Mississippi valley with its wonderful
producing possibilities had but g.
600, 900 people, and their only method
of sending their products to tide
water was by the rivers and the
Great Lakes. for even the Erie Canal
was not yet finished at that date
and steam railways for commercial
service were then a thing unknown
In any part Of the world.
or the 100000 miles of railway
built In all the world since 1921, over
one-third was constructed in the
United States, chiefly to connect the
great interior with the ocean 'front.'
ages, and the middle West, which
had then 100000 population, has
now 100000 and is not only the
worlds biggest producer Of grain and
meat but is turning out over one-third
OF the nations manufactures.
Manufactures OF the whole world
In 1920 are estimated by Mulhall at
$4,250. 100000 while our census OF 1920
puts the value of those Of the United
States alone at So. 900. 00O. 900, or near.
ly fifteen times that Of the whole
world a century earlier.
With this tremendous growth in
our manufacturing industries our ex.
elusive ports OF domestic manufacture
exclusive Of foodstuffs have grown
from less than 100000 in 1921 to
over $4,000, 100000 in 1921, or $50 times
as much in the lean" year lust
ended as in the corresponding year of
the preceding century.
With this increase in Industrial, com.
Emercial and business activity has come
corresponding advance in the finan.
cial requirements and supplies, and the
| total money In circulation" which
was officially reported at $67.100, 900
In 1920, is officially stated at $3.50.
I'll 900 on December /, 1921.
Meantime the centers of industry
| and business have grown amazingly,
the population of New York having in
creased from 10000 in 1922 to over
! 100000 in 1922; Philadelphia, from
100000 to nearly 100000, and Chi.
cago, from "a hamlet Of log houses
! inhabited by less than 100 people" in
1890. to 100000 in 1922.
Not all Of this growth in the indus.
tries and prosperity Of the country has
! come from a mere increase in popula.
ton, for our area has doubled mean
time, the total area of the United
States having grown from 1,7S2, 900
square miles in 1921 to 1920 900 square
miles, including Alaska, at the present
time.
Our additions of territory since 1922
consists Of Texas. Arizona, New Mexico
end the entire Pacific frontage, and
thus includes enormous additions TO
the agricultural and mineral wealth Of
the country.
Thus 1922 finds the United Stptes
the worlds chief agricultural MANI
featuring, commercial and financial
nation. The possibilities of a further
expansion in all these lines are found
In the fact that with our population,
exclusive of Alaska, is still only thirty.
six per square miles, or less than one.
tenth that of certain of the most pros.
lerous of our European neighbors