Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-03

the greatest war in history Far from
the theater Of actual conflict, unin.
lured by the clash of armies. Wash
inStCn was the nerve and business cen.
ter of America = enormous and unpreC-
edented war activities. 1t received a
greater impetus than other cities out
side the war area from the tremendous
and successful effort of America and
our allies.
The population Of the city was sud
denly increased beyond all cNpecta.
ton. Government workers tlocked
here from every corner Of the land
The city was filled with enlisted men
and officers of the Army. Navy and
Marine Corps. The Government pay
roll leaped upward Money flowed into
the Treasury from the pockets of the
people and flowed out into the chan.
nels of business in golden stream
Foreign princes and rulers. innumer.
able representatives of other govern
ments came to remain until the war
was over, Business doomed in every
line.
REIMBURSEMENT Ha Followed.
During the years that have followed
the unusual activities of the Federal
Government resulting from this ma.
tional emerSenc" have been gradually
eliminated. The great army of Gov
eminent employees in Washington and
in the field has been reduced in size
and the Government pay roll here and
clse~ here consequently has shrunk
Local business. along with Govern.
ment. has had tn readluSt itself to
everyday conditions
Business here continued to boom
after the close of the war. Not all
local business men began to prepare
for the return of ''normalcy'--to
quote President Hardins's favorite
term-immediately after the return of
peace. Money continued to be plenti.
full. Outside capital sought secure in.
Vestment here and found it. This
condition still prevails
Building operations went forward on
an unprecedented scale. merca ntile
houses expanded, new shops of every
description were opened Many per-
sons acted as il they believed the bust
ness boom would never come 10 an
end. OF course, the abnormal condi.
tons had to come to an end. but the
return to normally has been gradual
Nobody has been seriously hurt.
While this was going on far-seeinc
business men and financ.ers In the
local field began TO make the neces
sary adjustments. Certain that the
war boom must end. but equally conf
dent that nothing could stop the prog.
ress of the Nations Capital City, they
permitted their expenditures gradu.
ally to fall hack 10 a normal rate. They
prepared for the future. hut for a
future of slow and steady growth. For
this reason business here has almost
imperceptibly slowed down 10 an even,
forward pace without a bump Today
II is gathering itself for the long and
steady upward climb that In clearly
foreshadowcd.
Cify VIII BE Greater.
The impetus which the National
Capital received from the World War
is not spent even yet. 1t Is not likely
ever to be entirely lost. Those whose
positions make them hest able to
judge agree that Washington can
never be the same city 1t was before
1917. but must always be an immeas.
urably greater city.
Washington's population continues
to increase at a rapid rate. just as IL
has done ever since the beginning of
the Civil War. AS local business condi.
tons become stabili.~.. the prospect
grows brighter for the immediate and
the more distant future in the eyes of
those who are keeping watch on de-
veiopments from week tn week The
statement that Washington grows as
the Nation grows perhaps is bit
threadbare. but II II has been much
used II In because of it's truth. II
probably has never been truer than II
is today.
The number OF Government EN-.
ployes tn Washington today In so err
cent greater than ii was before the
war. Reductions in the total force
have practically ceased. The number
seems likely TO grow larger from this
time forward. The Government pay
roll In increasing again, slowly but
certainly. AZ promotions are won and
Congress provides FOR the normal
growth of the Government TO keep