Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-27
The Capitals Growth.

Washington Is not only growing
actually, but relatively. 1t is advanc-
ing in total population and gaining
ground in the standing OF cities.
For three decades, covered by the
census enumerations of 1860. 1870
and 1880. Washington stood eleventh
In urban population in the United
States. In 1890 it dropped to thir-
teenth place, in 1900 to fifteenth place
and in 1910 to sixteenth. Cities like
Detroit, Cleveland and Los Angeles
grew much more rapidly and passed
1t in the list. The census OF 1S2o,
however, showed that it had over
taken Newark and Cincinnati, and 1t
went into fourteenth place. Recent
estimates by the Commerce Depart
ment show that Washington has out
stripped Milwaukee in it's growth and
Is now in thirteenth position, the
same relative status that it held
thirty-six years ago.
According to these figures, the
Capital now has $4,000 inhabitants,
an increase Of 1900 in six years,
while Milwaukee, with $4,000 at
present, gained only $4,000. Above
Washington now are in order up
wards Buffalo, with $4,000; San
Francisco, with $4,000; Los Angeles.
with at least 76,00O-this being the
1920 population, with no new esti-
mates; Pittsburgh, with $4,000; Bos-
ton, with $4,000; Baltimore, with
sos 900: Cleveland, with 100000; De-
troit, with 100000; Philadelphia,
with zoos, 900; Chicago. with 3,o4S,Oo0,
and New York, with 5,924,000.
Washington does not grow big
merely in terms Of population. 1t
has no special aspira ton to be
million city" Other cities that have
reached or are approaching the mil
lion point have more area than that
which is potential here, and, more
over, have built up their populations
through the development of large in
dustries attracting great numbers of
workers. Washington is and will re-
main a governmental, residential and
mercantile city, with only a small
percentage of manufacturing. 1t will
be a city mainly of homes. In these
conditions it's growth is remarkable.
During the past twenty-six years it
has nearly doubled in size. The war
brought many newcomers here, some
temporarily, some to remain. The
depletion of the Government depart
mentS from the wartime period has
been about. concluded. The census of
1920 showed some of that diminution.
The mid-census estimates now an
nounced indicate the normal growth
of the Capital in terms that promise
$4,000 population at least in the emu
meration of 1880.
Were 1t possible to incorporate
within the "city limits of Washing
ton the towns and villages lying with
in the metropolitan area but actually
in Maryland and Virginia, the Cap
ital's population would at present be
probably greater than Baltimore, and
possibly Boston, which have, respec-
e lively. $4,000 and $4,000 inhabitants.
But this is not possible. Other cities
.. expand through territorial enlarge
ments, but when Washington reaches
e its specific boundaries as now estab-
lished il must stop.
The highest ambition of the Wash
ingtonian is not to dwell in numert.
Q cally great center of population, but
! to develop an ideal place of residence,
with every possible facility for secu-
rfty and comfort. with attractive sur
.roundings A.better Washington, rath-
er than a greater Washington, is the
desire of the Canifal community