Evening star., 1939-07-23
D. C.. Doubles Population in rs Years,
Leads Nation in Growth Since 1888
Enjoys Highest Income
Per Copito Of Any
Other Great City

Other Great City
This is the first OF a series OF
four articles on Washington eco
non,ic gro,Dth in recent years. The
author, L. Seth Schnitmdn, is an
economist ,Dho has made a study
OF business conditions in the Cap
ital. The data presented haze pi-
tai bearing on the present situa-
tion and includes important fore
casts for the tuture.-The Editor.
BY L. SETH SCHNITMAN,
Washington, in the swift-moving
quarter century since the beginning
of the World War, has virtually
doubled in population. Excepting
Detroit and Los Angeles, no other
large American city has shown such
growth during the same period.
Since 1888 no major city has
grown so rapidly and nowhere in
America has there been more phe-
nomenal development than in near
by Virginia and Maryland. The Ma
tion's Capital now ranks 18th on
the list of Americas biggest cities,
with a population of about 635 900
inhabitants and in a 25-mile radius
approximately $4,000.
More important than size itself
is the income Of the people Today
Washington enjoys a higher per
capita income than do the inhabi-
tants of any other major metropoli-
tan area in the world
With seven-tenths of per cent
OF the population of the entire Ma
ton, Greater Washington obtains
fully l.3 per cent Of the aggregate
national income. Here the female
population possesses great financial
independence, half of all personal
income taxes being jointly filed by
husband and wife. At the same
time larger proportion of resi-
dents file income tax returns than
in any other large metropolitan
area.
Further Growth Forecast.
Continued growth for the Washing
ton trading area seems all but as
sured. OF the $50 600 population, some
725000 are at least 10 years old. OF
these fully 385,O00 are receiving
full-time incomes. Inclusive of per-
sons on w. P A. projects. 10000. or
better than 40 per cent, derive their
salaries from either the Federal or
District Governments. aggregating
this year some $3l5 900 900, a new
high figure.
With the executive branch of the
service accounting for about l20-
900, or IS per cent of all persons in
Federal and District positions, 1t is
significant to indicate that fully
two-thirds of this number enjoy an
nual salaries of $500 or more and
that the average salary for this
group of Government employees ap-
proximates s2.066 per year.
Private business and industry in
Greater Washington give employ
ment to an additional 40 per cent
of the gainfully occupied adults who
will receive about $3.50 100000 this
year. An additional $lOO, ,000, 900 is
estimated to cover the probable
1899 income for those engaged in
the professions and all others gain
fully employed, inclusive of domes-
tics.
Overall, the total income for
Washington alone. which would in
clude income derived from divi-
dends, interest and profits from en-
terprise, as we'll as income from
salaries, wages and fees, will prob
ably approximate $74O.0OO, 900 as
contrasted with $3.50. 100000 for 1888
and $67o, 100000 for 1887.
Results Of Buying Power.
Washington has more telephones
per 100 persons than any other ma
jor area in the world; more radios
and more electric refrigerators.
In circulation of magazines on q
per 100 family basis, it likewise
tops the list both as to national
magazines and general magazines.
Women's magazines also enjoy a
higher circulation ratio here than
elsewhere Hotel receipts in WASH
ington outrank those of any other
city, except New York and Chicago.
Since 1888 the increase in debts
to local individual bank accounts
has amounted to 81 per cent. No
other city between 100000 and L.
100000 inhabitants has been able
to scale this performance. And it
now appears probable that bank
debts in Washington this year will
approach the highwater mark estab-
lished in 1929.
More than to any other single
cause, this income record accounts
for the freedom of Washington busi-
ness from the ups and downs that
characterize American industry.
Building Totals Impressive.
Turning to the building industry,
another cause of prosperity is found.
In the 20 years since the World
War construction undertaken in
the District of Columbia has totaled
almost $1,000 100000. No other city
of like size has approached this
performance.
Shown in dollar expenditures,
construction has exceeded substan-
TALLY the total retail purchases Of
clothing; more, 1t has bested the
trade volume of local department
stores; expenditures for automo-
biles, accessories. gasoline and oil,
and about equaled total expendi-
lures for food.
Unless all signs fail, the current
year will see total construction
volume in the District of Columbia
that will exceed the total for any
other year in a decade. Construction
in 1899 will be no less than IS per
cent greater than the total started
during 1888.
There remains much projected
construction yet to be undertaken
Lx,f E4I