Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-02
|A|MERICA'S VEAL I'll
IS ESTIMATED At
STAGGERING TOTAL
BY HARDEN COLFAX

Copyright 1921
WASHINGTON, September o.
An estimate of the total wealth of
all the inhabitants of the United
States will be made public by the
census bureau, beginning within the
next thirty days. The figures, it is
believed, will show a startling in
crease over those of a decade ago.
Indications are that the total will
approximate 100000, 100000.
In 1912 the country's total wealth
was somewhat less than $1SS,O00,-
100000. The indicated increase is
at the rate of about 60 per cent.
The survey will be the most com
prehensive of it's kind ever under
taken. 1t was begun fifteen months
ago. and has engaged the attention
Of about IT'S employees. Tens of
thousands of returns have been re-
ceived, digested and are in course
of tabulation and final preparation.
Returns will be shown by states
and their subdivisions as well as by
great commodity groups. There are
twenty-five of these groups, includ-
ing a new subdivision covering au-
tomobiles, motor trucks and farm
tractors. In 1912 this class of prop
erty was relatively so small as to
warrant its inclusion under other
headings. Today with about 49,
100000 motor vehicles in actual
service, the new group will repre-
sent values materially higher than
some of the older groups.
Big Real Estate Increase
Perhaps the greatest increase will
be shown in real estate and taxable
Improvements. A decade ago real
estate and buildings were valued at
nearly 100000 Their value
today, in all probability, will APP
proach $175, 100000 900. The SEN
sational advance in land values,
coupled with the mammoth building
construction programs of the past
two years, will carry the totals to
much higher figures, it is thought,
than apparent on the surface.
In addition to the prtvately-owned
real estate and buildings, including
farm property, the survey will con-
tain an estimate of the value OF tax
exempt realty, owned by the federal
government, the states, counties.
municipalities, and charitable and
religious organizations.
So great is the volume of this
class of property that its value
probably will run to from - to 10
per cent of the value of privately
owned estate, the totals reaching
upwards of $2O,OOO,OOO, 900, or
sum about equal to the value of all
the railroad systems and lines.
Live Stock Value Off
In at least one instance, decreas-
ed values is indicated. This is IN
live stock, and in q large measure
is due to the passing of the horse.
Ten years ago the value Of the ma
tons live stock was about $6,25O,-
600, 900. Today it may not exceed
$4,000, 100000.
Manufacturing machinery, tools
and implements, valued ten years
ago at $4,000. 900, 900. will show, 1t is
expected, a tremendous increase IN
silver coin and bullion probably
valuation. perhaps more than dou-
bling it's former total. Gold and
will show an increase of from 60
to IS per cent due largely to the
huge importations of gold. In esu-
mating the value of silver, the cen
sus bureau uses the metal value. A
silver dollar, for instance, contains
silver valued at slightly more than
so cents by weight.
The railroad systems are expected
to show an increase in value or
lands. rolling stock, motive power
and other equipment to the extent
of about % per cent.
Manufactured Products
One of the laragest percentage IN.
creases anticipated is in the case OF
manufactured products on mana.
Ten wears ago the total value OF
such products was about $l4,foO'-
O0O 600. Census bureau returns
gathered independently of the pres
emit survey show that the factories
have been producing finished proc,
nets to the value of OO,OOO,O0O
to $50 900, 100000 annually during
the mast decade. The great bulk mas
been consumed but enough remains
on hand to place the total lar III
excess of the 1912 figures.
Telephone and telegraph systems
have been greatly extended anu
their valuation is much higher than
the $50. 0O0, 100000 which they rep
resented in 1912.
One of the items of wealth, WnlcH
has caused the bureau conslderaoIe
difficulty. relates to clothing anu
personal adornment. In estimating
the value of the nations WARDROBE
and level box. the bureau sent queS'
tionnaires to more than 100000 per-
sons in every station Of me-