Evening star., 1954-01-03

last half, but were Offset by other
factors. Further sharp trade in
creaSeS in metropolitan sections
Of Maryland and Virginia coun-
teracted a slight decrease in the
District of Columbia.
A sharp gain in automotive
volume. which lost steam in final
months. was major factor in
offsetting a lag in department
stores and other lines. Food
stores also held substantial gains.
Despite a snapback in Christ
mas trade, the overall pace In
the last quarter was less favor
able than for the year as
whole, A steady whiting away
at thA. Government establish
ment gained headway and at the
year end area payrolls were run
ming around 5 per cent behind
year earlier.
More Cuts Anticipated.
Further reductions in both
Federal and private payrolls. 3
moderate drop in retail trade
and a stable population seem to
be in the cards for this year.
Another good building year is
anticipated with comnnerciai
projects and apartment con-
struction again making an inn
presSive showing.
The automotive trade probably
will have a tough time equaling
or exceeding 1858 marks and win
not be an Offset to decreases
elsewhere. Lower prices probably
will accent the general decline.
The suburbs will benefit from
new industries and the continued
movement of population from
the District to newer residential
sections. The favored position
of suburban shopping will con-
tinue to grow in importance.
Trade Leaders Confident.
Most business leaders here ex-
pressed confidence that this year
would be a good one. However.
they gave strong support to
Board of Trade plans to bring In
new industries and more con-
yention and tourist business.
Some retailers who were wor-
ried by tagging sales. especially
in an abnormally hot August.
were cheered by record Christ
mas buying.
Behind the expressed conf
dence of the businessmen were a
number of factors. Economy
moves in the Government made
sense to them and the old timers
in conservatively operated firms
were not afraid of increasing
competition.
Nearby Sections Grow.
The area population estimate
of 1850 900 for the end OF 1858
reflected a gain of $1,000 IN
MARYLAND suburbs and a 10000
increase in nearby Virginia. COM
pared with a 5000 decrease in
the District.
It compared with 100000 a
year earlier and 1.464,0S9 on
Anri1 / 1850. date of the last
Federal census.
The District estimate OF
825 900 compared with $4,000
a wear earlier and 802.178 in the
census. ;,
Nearby Maryland sections had
an estimated $4,000. compared
with $4,000 a year earlier and
asa. .5S3 in 1850. Virginia sections
had STE, 900. compared with $780,
600 q year ago and 303.328 IN
1850.
Trade Sets Record.
Area retail trade for the year
was estimated at $1,695, ,000, 900.
a gain Of is per cent from a
year earlier.
For the District itself, the esti-
mate was $1,180. .000.0 900, a de-
cline Of one-tenth per cent from
1852.
The nearby Maryland and
Virginia sections had an esti-
mated $515 million, an increase
of Z per cent from the previous
year
Area department store sales
ended the year 2 per cent behind
q year earlier, while downtown
department store sales were of
5 per cent. Area automative
trade was up 81 per cent and
food sales were per cent higher.
Jobs and PayroIls Lower.
Area employment Of 603. 400
was 5000 or 5.6 per cent behind
Q year earlier in November. With
higher private wage averages
offsetting q drop in Government
wage averages. payrolls were 5.4
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