Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

replies were mace In supoueo Voices
slant rise In the valuation OF property,
the survey points out. From an area
originally with a poor scattering OF
buildings Washington has grown to q
city Of imposing public buildings and
comfortable homes. Tables included in
the survey show that the assessed value
Of local properties has risen from ,$79,-
9eT, asa In 1871 to $l76,567.549 in 1900,
to $Sl9, 625,572 in 1925 and to $l,l82,-
463,345 In 1880.
The assessed figures prior to 1921
were on the basis of two-thirds value,
and since then on the basis Of 100 per
cent market value.
In the surrounding counties included
in the metropolitan area the assessed
value total rose from $78 Asst 079 In 1920
to $l95, 04e, 03l in 1890, bringing the
total assessed value for the whole local
urban area to $l.37S,3tl ,376. Actually,
however, the market value Is higher,
since In Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties. where properties are supposed
to be assessed on the basis OF 100 per
cent value, they are actually on the
basis of Is to SO per cent full valuation:
In Alexandria on IS to so per cent. and
Arlington County 30 per cent, according
10 survey data.
Buying Power High.
One of the strongest boosting points
for the National Capital appearing IN
the Board of Trade survey Is the infor-
lhsatiOn concerning the power OF the con.
sdfi,er IN this metropolitan area.
The capacity Of the Washington mar
ket to consume O. greater dollar value
Of goods than might be inferred from
consideration Of population and the
average income In other cities II readily
seen from o consideration Of facts IN
this section Of the survey, IT y pointed
out.
The handbook quotes figures obtained
from q statistical survey showing that
more than one-third of the families In
the District of Columbia are In the
group whose annual incomes range
from $4,000 TO 5000; that more than
half Of the number Of families are in
the income groups above 5000. and
that only 4.48 per cent Of the total
number Of families have an annual In
come less than 81 1000.
The large purchasing power 10 OBJ
yious, the survey states. Washington
Is market for better-claSs goods Of al
kinds, as might be expected from tia
large percentage Of families with in.
comes In the higher class, above 5000
The most important private industry
In washington, the survey handbook re.
cites, Is real estate. While the city
stands. l4th In population, 1t has beer
among the frst 10 in building construc.
tiOn since the World War. The unusua,
increase Of population due to the infiu1
Of war workers caused great construc-
ton activity through 1928.
The Board Of Trade survey frankly
So AZ ~ -
ton about which local residents can
not boast In extrayagant terms. 49,
For instance, figures are included
showing that the death rate in Wash.
ington in 1929 was higher than that Of
any Of the 10 largest cities of the
United States. Washington stood thirc
In this same list Of cities In the rate
for infant mortality.
Auto Facilities Low.
Again, 1t is stated that exclusive OF
street curb space, washington hai
facilities for the parking of fewer auto.
mobiles than any city of the countr,
of comparable size. The book contains
a quotation from the report of thu
Automobile Parking Committee showing
that in the central business sector
there are parking facilities for bu
S,220 cars, exclusive Of street parking
space.
The book states frankly: Washing
ton Is not a producing, manufacturing
industrial city and therefore Is not {
shipping point About IS per cent o
all freight handled here by all the rail.
road lines Is incoming and Is per cen
outgoing"
Still again. in describing the govern
! ment OF Washington, the handbook
states that
There are numerous factors which
/ tend to distinguish Washington from nj
other places, II is the only politica
| subdivision in the United States II
which all government powers are vest.
/ ed in the United States. Con
sress performs the duties OF legisls'
| tiire and council. The District Is alsG
distinguished by the fact that IL Ia tn,
! only community In the United State
/ which does not enjoy local suffrage
| and which has no form Of representa-.
! tive government"
ID. C. Fiscal History.
/ The book also recounts the fiscal his
! tory of Washington, showing how thu
expenses here was whitfield down to u
per cent from the Federal Government
/ then describes the change to the lump
4 sum plan adopted in 1925 and contin
ued last year, when the Federal con
tribution of $9,5O0.0 900 amounted h
Il about 20 per cent Of the total expense
of the District, although the statut
law still calls for 6O-40 division.
The book shows, on the other hand
that the District has no bonded In
debtedneSs.
The survey book "Opens with q de
II seTiption Of the territory Of the DIS
A tTict and the immediate surroundin
area. Then follows histories
sketch OF the Capital City, discussion
Of plans for the further physical devel
opment Of the metropolitan area. a
outline OF the many agencies having :
, do with the government Of the District
bonded Indebtedness Of the counties 4
services, education. recreationai facili
!. ties, religious agencies, social agencies
!. data on the cost Of living, iudustrii