San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-23
Figures Will Run Over
100000, 0O0,oO0,
Is Belief.
A STARTLING INCREASE
Returns to Be Shown by
States and Commodity
GROUPS.
BY HARDEN COLFAX.


Copyright. by the San Antonio Light
h Washington, d. c., Sept. PAN
estimate of the total wealth of all the
inhabitants of the United States will
be made public by the census bureaE
beginning within the next 80 days.
The figures, it is believed, will show
a startling increase over those of
decade ago.
Indications are that the total will
appreciate 0000.OO0,OOO.
In 1912, the country's total wealth
was somewhat less than S1SS,OOO,-
100000.
The indicated increase is at the
rate of about 60 per cent.
The survey will be the most compre.
hensive of its kind ever undertaken.
1t was begun fifteen months ago
and has engaged the attention OF
about 175 employees.
Tens of thousands of returns have
been received, digested and are in
course of tabulation and final prepa~
alton.
Returns will be shown by states
and their subdivisions as well as bS
great commodity groups.
There are % of these groups. in.
Guiding a new subdivision covering
automobiles, motor trucks and farm
tractors.
In 1912. this class of property was
relatively so small as to warrant its
inclusion under other headings.
Today with about 13000,000 motor
vehicles in actual service, the new
group will represent values materially
higher than of some of the older
| groups.
Perhaps the greatest increase will
be shown in real estate and taxable
! improvements.
A decade ago real estate and build
ings were valued at nearly 100000
DOC, 900.
Their value today. in all probability.
will approach 100000, 900.
The sensational 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. -
Some Amazing Figures.
| III the
! real estate and buildings. including
farm property, the survey will contain
an estimate of the value of tax-exempt
realty, owned by the federal goverr-
ment, the state, counties, municipaE-
ties and charitable and religious or.
CARNATIONS.
| So great is the volume Of this class
of property. that its value probably
will run to from IL to Is per cent
of the value of privately owner real
estate. the totals reaching upwards OF
10000. 100000. or sum about equal
to the value of all the railroad sys-
tens and lines.
In at least one instance decrease IA
value is indicated.
| This is in the case of livestock AMI
is attributed. in large measure, to the
| passing of the horse.
The prospective decrease also is at
tributed somewhat to the comparative-
ly low prices obtainable for livestock.
| Ten years ago the value of the ma
tons livestock was about $6,2oO,'
100000.
Today it may not exceed $1,000.
100000
| Manufacturing machinery, tools and
implements. valued ten years ago at
$4,000 100000 will show. it is expect
ed, tremendous increase in valuation.
perhaps more than doubling its former
total.
Gold and silver coin and bullion
probably will show an increase from
60 to IS per cent due largely to the
huge impOrtations of gold.
In estimating the value of silver,
the census bureau uses the metal
value.
| A silver dollar. for instance, con-
tains silver valued at slightly more
than 80 cents by weight.
The railroad systems are expected
to show an increase in value in lands.
rolling stock, motor power and otIyesS
equipment to about ~ per cent.
Other Changes Expected.
One of the largest percentage in
creases anticipated is in the case of
manufactured products on hand.
Ten years ago the total value OK
such products was about S14, I00.-
100000.
Census bureau returns gathered In
dependently Of the present survey
show that the factories have been pro-
ducing finished products to the value
of S30,000.000, 900 to 100000. 000, 0G0
annually during the past decade.
The great bulk has been consumed,
but enough remains on hand to place
the total far in excess of the 1912
figures.
Telephone and telegraph systems
have been greatly extended and their
valua ton is much higher than ths
10000, 100000 they represented in
1912.
One of the items of wealth whit
has caused the bureau considerable
difficulty relates to clothing and per-
sonal adornment.
In estimating the value Of the ma
tons wardrobe and jewel box, the bli-
reau sent questionnaires to more tina n
100000 persons in every station Of
life.