| Show Big Bi Cities Shrink Offhand one would hardly think that some of the largest cities of the Country could have lost population population population lation during the last 10 years lears but such is the case according to pre pre- preliminary preliminary preliminary reports of the 1940 census In fact eight of the first 25 cities in fn respect to population showed losses Philadelphia losses Philadelphia Cleveland Cle St St. Louis Boston Doston Pittsburgh Newark and Rochester New York showed a a gain of four and a half million but Chicago bare barely barely ly Iy held its own showing a a gain i of only about Jersey City and I Portland ore GOre were crowded out of the list of largest 25 23 Jersey erse city cit dropping from place to which for Mayor Dic Hague Hag e to crow about Hous Hous- Houston Houston ton and md Denver D nver got g t into the big 25 class for the first time Houston jumping from place to Washington passed the mil half lion mark for the first time now having inhabitants a gain of 1762 in 10 years This increase was due largely largel to the greater num nunn number ber her of government in the nations nation's capital which was almost exactly Doubled not to mention those who live nearby in the ad ad- adjoining adjoining adjoining joining states of Virginia and Mary Maryland land Jand but work in Washington oHi- oHi ces ees Smaller cities and towns nearly all aU showed increases in population as did most rural communities This is perhaps perhaps- a healthy health trend as concentrations of people into small areas do not as a rule make for bet better ter or happier living conditions The next decade is expected to show a astill astill astill still further decentralization of pop I |
