Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18
Metropolitan Area Total Is
Put Between 100000 and
100000, With D. C. Figures
Lower Than Expected.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CUTS DOWNTOWN SECTION
Moran Explains Constitutional
Barrier to Annexation, Prevent
ing Great Growth" as in Some
Cities-Many Move Into Sub
urbs and Cannot Be Counted.

The population of Washington
Is shown by the 1890 census to be
4S5,716, an increase Of II per cent
over 1920.
The population figures as an
nounced for publication last night
by j. Sterling Moran, census SUI
pervisor for the District, disclose
that the downtown area has ex-
perienced q marked decrease in
the last decade, due chiefly to the
development of property for bust
ness purposes.
Mr.. Moran estimates that the
metropolitan area, including near
by Virginia and Maryland coun-
ties, would include between 600,-
900 and 100000 persons.
He pointed out, however, that
since the boundaries of the Dis
trict were limited by the Consti-
tuition and the city could not avail
itself Of adjoining territory by an
nexation, it would not be possible
to fix the. area definitely. An esti-
mate made soon after the EMU
merators started in placed the
population Of the city proper at
$4,000.
In statement accompanying his
announcement, Mr.. Moran said that
~there are, no doubt, many who will
be disappointed at the showing made.
Since the period Immediately follow
ing the war, when people were think
ing OF the crowded conditions Of 10
years ago, with the lack of housing
facilities, there have been considerable
changes In the movement Of popHla-
ton in the District.
Many Move to Suburbs.
zone outstanding feature Is that the
downtown precincts all show a decrease
in population since 1920. This is &C.
casioned by much Of the territory being
taken over for business purposes and
the improved transportation facilities,
which make it possible for people to
live farther from their places of busi-
ness and employment. Many Of these
people who have moved from the con-
gested sections Of the city have gone
over into Maryland and Virginia"
In that connection, Mr.. Moran en-
phasiZed that the preliminary report
OF the population "does not in any
sense represent the metropolitan dis
trict of Washington"
II IL were legally possible 10 nicIuoe
the thickly populated suburban terri
tory that would naturally be absorbed
by any other large city, the population
OF Washington would show between
SOC, 900 and 100000 people" he said.
Mr.. Moran's announcement was In
the nature Of preliminary report, but
he said it was not believed the final
count would reveal any great change
from the preliminary statement, not
withstanding that from 200 to 800 per-
sons have refused 10 give information
for themselves and about 200 apart
ments have not been heard from.
Precincts Show Changes.
Mr.. Moran announced the popula-
ton by police precincts, which were the
subdivisions of the District to which the
4O4 enumerators were assigned. In siS
precincts where boundaries are the
same as In 1920, estimated percentages
of increases and decreases show thai
while the population in the second
third and fifth precincts was increas'
ing % per cent, the population in the
first, fourth and sixth precincts wal
decreasing 95 per cent.
The seventh precinct, which In 1921
had a population of 29,s62, has become
(Continued on Page q Column ID