Evening star., 1949-08-23
An Expundinq Metropolis

One OF the studies produced py the
Board of Trades Postwar Planning Com
n1ittee in 1945 forecast drop in the
Metropolitan Areas population after the
war, which would continue until about
1s4S. Thereafter the upward trend would
begin again, reaching projected max
imum Of about 1,75o,o0o by 1855.
The Census Bureaus recently published
estimate of Metropolitan Area population
for July l, 194S, confirms the pattern thus
forecast, but shows that the Increase
following a brief period of reduction, ex-
planned by losses of military personnel
began again in 1946 Population of the
area continues to increase steadily,
though the pace has been reduced. The
Census Bureau now fixes it in mid-1948
at 1,400,0 900. In the District Of Columbia
the rate Of increase has been much
smaller. Our population Of 863 900 in July
Of 1913 is lower than the provisional esti-
mate q year ago. 1t accounts now for
about 81 per cent OF the area total, as
against SO per cent in 194o
Thus, greatest growth of the Metropol-
itan Area continues to take place outside
the District of Columbia. But the growth
within the city itself Is still substantial.
We have not yet reached the point when
growth of the Metropolitan Area is made
at the expense Of District populations
development noted two and half years
ago by the Census Bureau as taking place
In some OF the urban centers elsewhere.
The Census Bureaus latest estimate OF
the Metropolitan Area population is based
on new concept of what constitutes such
an area It Is this concept that will under
lie the actual census of 1850 in dealing
with Metropolitan areas. Heretofore, in
estimating such populations, the bureau
considered only incorporated towns OF
$500 or over and the areas contiguous to
such towns where the .pQpnlattpn density.
reached $50 per square mile. Thus.stu
previous counts Of our Metropolitan Area,
large parts OF the adjacent counties, and
some stable communities that I'D sever
become incorporated, were ornitted. This
past estimate, however, drops such rules.
It includes the entire counties OF Mont
eomery, Prince Georges, Fairfax, Arlington
and the communities of Alexandria and
Falls Church, the new standard being based
on populations within an area that In TACT
have become 80 integrated as to be treated
Is one.
This new method of treating Metro
politan Area population emphasizes need
for confederation Of plans for regional
treatment of problems affecting its popu-
lation. Representative sasscer's suggestion
for an interstate commission to coordinate
tax planning in the separate Jurisdictions
within the area will eventually be taken up
IN Congress. But disparate taxing schemes.
in an area where populations are so
closely knit, is merely one subject that
needs such study. There Is need for
sreater coordination in regulation Of the
utilities serving the area, one objective
being to remove the differentials in rates
for comparable service. The Metropolitan
Area is becoming one big city, with dis
tnctly urban characteristics. The time
will come when Metropolitan Author
ity deals with the problems of its people
without regard to the many political
boundary lines which now divide them.