The Arvada enterprise., 1923-08-30
Washington Has Added 10000
to Its Population Since
the World War.

Washington. "W0ShinRtOn, said
sne of the statesmen ut the Paris paace
conference, following the World war.
"uow Is the capital Of the world"
From the point Of view Of the resi-.
dents of the city itself. Washington
was lucky In being relatively small
city ut the time Of Its accession to
worldwide greatness. London, Paris.
Rome-other great capitals Of the
world-have long been cities Of ire
pendous size. Washington was ranked
well down the scale in population, COM
pared with them. Therefore, the rise
Of Washington to SO great a position
of prominence has produced q civic
boom which is bound to be of long
duration.
1t Is true that before 1917 there were
some vestiges Of the provincial about
the national capital. With the en-.
trance Of the United States into the
World war all this was changed. A
spectacle was presented Of extraordi-
nary interest. Almost over night the
population Of Washington was swelled
by 10000 persons. 1t was like put
ting q number ten foot into a number
seven shoe.
A curious and important fact about
this growth Of Washington relates to
the type Of population which the war
brought Population, in general cen.
sus terms, means men, women and chill
dren, the aged and infirm and INDECENT
in short, everybody. The 10000
population which suddenly was added
to Washington was different. 1t was
made up very largely Of active adults
1t was made up Of workers, from mil
liOnaire dollar-a-year men to flapper
stenOgraphers.
Were Mostly Adults
Some officials and others brought
families along, but for the most part
the new population was adult. In US.
ual census term. tide Of 10000 per.
SONS usually means about $4,000 active
adults or less. In Washington's case
1t meant that almost all of the 10000
were of the type to make constant de-
mands on the facilities Of the city.
They did not represent children and
invalids who would stay ut home, but
rather workers who demanded service
and, above all, Independent and sepa-
rate places to live.
The end Of the war brought nm exodus
OF many, but by no means all. 1t is
estimated that the net gain Of the cap
ital was around 5000.
washington casts spell over people
who spend any time here. After their
ofiicinl tasks are accomplished. they
continue to live mt the capital city. Two
former presidents make Washington
their home, Wilson and Taft, the latter
now chief justice Of the United States.
Former cabinet members. former sena.
tors and representatives In congress
and host Of minor officials are also
permanent residents. In addition,
washington has Its colony Of million
aires-men who have amassed fortunes
IN Industry and have retired to live
In the capital city Of the world-the
sent Of affairs Of the leading nation.
These are the elements which have
exempted Washington from ups and
downs OF the building boom. The build
ing boom continues here undated and
gives promise OF doing 80 Indefinitely.
Even sleepy old Georgetown, the an.
Client city which was Potomac river
port Of entry before Washington was
even planned and nov Is contiguous
with the capital. has undergone
startling change.
City Has No Siumps
The billiard table surfaces OF Wash.
inston's asphalt streets. the maze OF
wooded park and greensward, the cir.