The following striking facts of progress in the Borough of the Bronx are taken from a recent statement by Mr. James L. Wells : "The fact should be realized that in point of population the 23d and 24th wards constitute the fourth largest city in the State, leaving New York out, of course, and that, with the rapid transit road to aid in development, it will be but a very few years until that section will rank second in population to the aggregation of humanity on Manhattan Island. " If the increase of population continues proportionately in only the same ratio as in the recent past, the population of that section of the cin above the Harlem River should in 1910 be 330,000, in 1920 should be 660,000, and in 1930 may reasonably be expected to be 1,300,000; and that this growth will be attained when the proposed rapid transit road is constructed is beyond question. And it need not be feared that there is not territory enough for such a large population. With the newly annexed territory the portion of the city above the Harlem River is double the size of that below, and if you can put two millions on Manhattan Island, there is surely ample room for a million and a half in twice as much space. -In 1874, when the original 2:5(1 and 24th wards were annexed to New York, the total assessed value of the property was about $23,05. 000,000. The total assessed value for the year 1896 was .fS<>,405,4 valuation The first large increase after 1S74 was in 1890, when the went up to |44,000,b00; but from 1890 to 1897 it ran up to $96,000,00 transporimproved the with years seven in doubling than --more tation facilities, while it required sixteen years for doubling prior transit to the creation of such facilities.