1939: Idaho

Area and Population.

Indian reservations, national monuments, and a small section of Yellowstone Park, with state forests and parks, comprise more than half of the 83,888 square miles of land and water that make up the surface area of Idaho. The latest government estimate of population, made in 1937, was 493,000. The population is predominantly rural and native white of native parentage, with about 70 to 73 per cent of the total in these classifications.

Boise, the capital, with a population of approximately 30,000 is the largest city. Other population centers are Pocatello (16,471), Idaho Falls (9,429), Twin Falls, Lewiston, Caldwell, Coeur d'Alene and Moscow, site of the University of Idaho.

Mineral Products.

In the production of silver, in which Idaho leads the United States, the 1938 total of 18,993,676 oz. was slightly below the high record for 1937. The value however was considerably below that of the previous year, equalling only $12,278,740 as against $15,151,137. The Coeur d'Alene region was again the chief source of silver, including as it does the Sunshine Mine, the largest silver mine in the United States. Gold showed a 26 per cent rise with 103,513 oz., the largest amount in any year since 1896. Production of lead, in which Idaho ranks second among the states, was decreased from 103,711 tons in 1937 to 92,177 in 1938. Copper was somewhat lower at 4,278,000 lb. (value, $419,244), and zinc was appreciably below its previous high figure with production at 44,030 tons (value, $4,226,880) compared with 54,190 tons in 1937 valued at $7,045,870.

The value of all these metals was increased slightly during the past year, or from a total of $29,028,103 in 1938 to $30,160,000 in 1939. Increased production was chiefly in gold (114,000 oz.), copper (4,750,000 lb.), and zinc (40,575 tons).

Education.

The average daily attendance in Idaho elementary schools showed a decrease of 4,095 for the year 1938 compared with 1929, with a total average of 76,568; while for the high schools of the state the 1938 average daily attendance was 29,538, an increase of 13,295 over the 1929 figure. There are 186 accredited high schools, 15 sub-four-year high schools and 1,246 school districts in the state with a total of 4,530 elementary school teachers and 1,323 high school teachers.

Total expenditures for elementary and high schools in Idaho during 1938 were $10,984,461, compared with $11,232,948 in 1929. The 1938 expenditures included: bond redemption, $928,759; capital outlay, $1,181,920; current operations, $8,773,781. High-school teachers received an average salary of $1,208, while elementary teachers were paid an average of $887.

For the first time in the history of Idaho a statewide ad valorem tax levy was authorized by the 1939 Legislature, the proceeds of which will go to the state school equalization fund. This action was accompanied by a transfer to the general state fund of certain earmarked funds received from excise taxes which have heretofore been devoted to the school equalization fund.

Legislation permitting the formation of junior college districts was also enacted by the 1939 Legislature, and two such districts were promptly organized at Boise and Coeur d'Alene.

Legislative Matters.

In a move to centralize responsibility for accounting in connection with the handling of funds by the nearly 1,800 governmental units in Idaho, the Legislature created in 1939 the office of State Comptroller. The office of Tax Commissioner was also created, to take charge of the collection of all excise taxes levied by the state. The Commissioner also serves as full-time secretary of the State Board of Equalization.

Public Assistance appropriations for 1939-1940 biennium amounted to $4,550,000; appropriations for general state expenses, $6,078,127; for the public school fund, $2,000,000; and appropriations from special funds were $2,013,182, making the total legislative appropriations for the biennium $14,641,309.

Welfare and Correction.

The departments of charity and correction, and the administration of public assistance, were centralized under a State Welfare Commission for the first time in 1939. Children's Homes are maintained on a cooperative basis at Boise and Lewiston; the State Soldiers' Home is at Boise; mental cases are treated at the State Hospital North at Orofino, State Hospital South at Blackfoot, and the State School and Colony (for children) at Nampa. The state penitentiary is at Boise and the Industrial Training School for youths is at St. Anthony.

State Officers.

The present official family of Idaho consists of the following members: Governor, C. A. Bottolfsen; Lieutenant Governor, D. B. Whitehead; Secretary of State, George H. Curtis; Auditor, Calvin E. Wright; Treasurer, Mrs. Myrtle P. Enking; Attorney General, J. W. Taylor; Supt. of Public Instruction, John W. Condie.

United States Senators:

William E. Borah (d. Jan. 19, 1940), D. Worth Clark, John Thomas (appointed by Governor to fill unexpired term).