Evening star., 1953-01-04


last year, most '''''1 <'s'''a1 &'''' '''
business execu- Mr.. Hadley.
tives were confident of a good
year ahead.
There was nothing to mar the
picture up to mid-year, but lead
ers of the 83d Congress, which
convened yesterday, expect to get
through economy legislation that
may bring declines in Govern
ment employment and payrolls
after the start of the next fiscal
year on July l.
The extent of the possible de-
clines. especially in Washington,
was matter for speculation.
Businessmen believed they would
be modest and would not affect
the basic trend here seriously.
Several expressed belief that per-
sons let out Of the Government
could find places in private estab-
lishments facing a shortage of
skilled personnel.
Sharp Curtailment Promised.
On Capitol Hill, it was a differ
ent story. While conceding that
slowness Of the legislative process
would prevent any actual reduc-
tion of the Government estab-
lishment before July /, influential
members of both parties res
affirmed their determination tol
cut Government expenditures
drastically, including employment
and payrolls.
Consolidation of divisions and
bureaus to eliminate duplication
and overlapping of functions will
be one of the main tools used to
accomplish this, it was indicated.
Resembling of unused appropria-
tions also is anticipated.
The overall cuts in jobs and
payrolls will be substantial, it was
predicted. What proportion will
be in Offices here and what part
will be in field Offices across the
Nation and abroad remains to be
seen.
Population at New High.
Population of the Metropolitan
Area reached an estimated 1.6I
million at the end of 1852, a new
all-time high, which was around
$4,000 above a year earlier and
nearly $4,000 above the April /,
1850. census total of 1,464.08
Adjoining Maryland and Vir-
ginia sections of the area &C
counted for most of the years
gain. The Maryland sections had
an estimate of $4,000, up around
$4,000 in the year, while the Vir-
ginia sections were credited with
356,0O0. up around $4,000.
The District of Columbia, with
an estimate of $4,000, gained
only around $500.
Area Trade Near Record.
Total retail trade for the area
was estimated at 81 billion last
year, only slightly ahead Of the
record of $1,669, AL 900 for 1851.
For the District itself, the esti-
mate was $1,188, TAO, 900, a drop
of around 2 per cent from the
preceding year. despite a record
Christmas season.
Trade in the Maryland and Vir-
Rinia sections was estimated at
$481 ,260, 900, an increase Of around
SIS per cent.
I Jobs and Payrolls Down.
Total area employment and
payrolls dropped behind a year
earlier in the last half of 1852.
due entirely to decreases in the
Federal Government. Private em-
ployment and payrolls remained
slightly above a year earlier.
November public and private
payrolls were estimated at $780,
$4,000, a decrease of IL per cent
from $2O7.977.000 in November,
1851. They included $4,000 en-
ployes against 624 300 a year earl
ier, reduction of 1890.
Government payrolls, including
the District government, amount
ed to $105, ,222. 900 for 269, 400 per-
sons. compared with $1ll.480. 900
for 273.500 persons a year earlier.
Private payrolls in Washington
itself were estimated at $63.7 mil
lion for 227,50O persons VS.. $62,-
1000 for 227. 400 on the basis of
preliminary data from the Un-
employment Compensation Board.
Tax Situation Deplored.
For most businessmen and COM
panies of the area, 1852 was an
extremely busy year, but not a
very profitable one-after taxes.
Both bankers and retailers ex-l
pressed deep concern in the size
Of the tax load and regarded it asI
q serious threat to the soundnessI
Of their enterprises If allowed tol
continue.
A top executive Of one Of the
(Continued on Page C-S. Col. ID