1940: New Mexico

Area and Population.

New Mexico, fourth largest state in the Union, with an area of 122,503 sq. mi. had a population of 531,818 in 1940, according to the figures of the 1940 census. This represents an increase of 108,501, or 25.6 per cent, over 1930 (423,317). Approximately 49 per cent of the population consists of native Spanish-Americans, about 37 per cent are Anglo-Americans, 7 per cent Indians, and the remaining 7 per cent include Negroes, Mexicans, Orientals and others.

Lea County, in the state's oil-producing area jumped from a 6,144 population in 1930 to 21,142 in 1940, an increase of 244.1 per cent. Population figures for leading cities in New Mexico in 1940 were: Santa Fe, state capital, 20,325; Albuquerque, 34,449; Roswell, 13,482; Las Vegas, 12,362; Clovis, 10,065; Hobbs, 10,619; and Las Cruces, 8,385.

Education.

During the fifteenth biennium, covering the period from July 1, 1938, to June 30, 1940, New Mexico public schools made steady advances in pupil transportation. During 1940 the state was reported as third in the Union in the efficiency of its system of school busses. During the first half of the biennium, there were in New Mexico 173,799 inhabitants of school age. The state maintained 1,091 elementary schools, 14 junior high schools and 118 senior high schools. The total number of pupils enrolled in elementary schools was 97,121 and in high schools, 18,711. The state expended $7,444,648 for public education during the year. Teachers' average annual salaries were $871.60 for common schools, and $1,292.11 for high schools.

Agriculture.

Farm income for New Mexico for the first nine months of 1940 was $28,045,000. Losses from the grasshopper plague, which in recent years wrought heavy damage, were comparatively slight during 1940.

Mining.

New Mexico's coal production for the twenty-ninth fiscal year, which ended Oct. 31, 1940, dropped by 166,989 tons over the year ending in 1939. Mineral production in general, however, showed a tremendous gain. The gross value for the year was $28,691,214, compared with $18,988,622 for the 28th fiscal year.

Oil production for the first ten months of 1940 amounted to 32,778,000 bbl., a slight increase over the same period a year ago.

Industry.

A total of 44,572 employees were under the provision of the New Mexico Unemployment Compensation law during the calendar year 1939, compared with 42,686 during the preceding year. The State Employment Service made 29,894 placements in private industry during the same year. Employment increased 6.7 per cent during the first ten months of 1940. Payrolls swelled 7 per cent during the same months.

Finance.

The bonded debt of the state as of June 30, 1940, included $1,752,000 in general obligation bonds, $22,000,000 in New Mexico highway debentures, and $701,761.45 in other debenture and certificates of indebtedness.

The state-assessed valuation of property subject to taxation for 1940 was $135,380,593, showing a gain of $2,434,207 over the assessed valuation for 1939.

Benefit payments made during the year ending December 31, 1939, to New Mexico workers under the New Mexico unemployment compensation law totaled $1,226,391.08.

Banking.

The resources of all New Mexico banking institutions as reported by the State Banking Department on Dec. 39, 1939, amounted to $77,467,731.18. State-chartered banks had resources in the amount of $15,252,064.54, an increase of $877,868.50 over Dec. 31, 1938. Thirteen state-chartered building and loan associations showed resources of $3,889,675.55, representing an increase of $135,885.74 over Dec. 31, 1938. Resources of New Mexico National Banks grew from $51,728,285.90 on Dec. 31, 1938, to $56,364,209.74 on Dec. 30, 1930. Federal Savings and Loan Associations operating in New Mexico reported resources of $1,961,781.35 on Dec. 30, 1939.

Legislative Matters.

The Fourteenth State Legislature was called into special session by Governor Miles on Sept. 30, 1940, for the single purpose of enacting a law for the relief of owners of agricultural lands, not in a state of cultivation, located within the boundaries of conservancy districts, by deferring collection of assessments levied under the New Mexico Conservancy Act.

In 1939, by joint resolution, the Legislature proposed an amendment to the New Mexico constitution to provide for a split-session of the Legislature. This amendment provided for a first term of thirty days, beginning the second Tuesday of January next after each general election, for introduction of bills; a recess of thirty days, and thereafter a second term of thirty days for final action upon all measures. It was approved by the electorate at the general election on Nov. 5, 1940.

The state's first primary election was held Sept. 14, and produced a major contest on the Democratic ticket between Rep. John J. Dempsey and Senator Dennis Chavez for the Senatorial nomination. The incumbent, Chavez, emerged victorious.

State Officials.

Governor, John E. Miles; Lieutenant Governor, Ceferino Quintana; Secretary of State, Jessie M. Gonzales; Comptroller, Caesar R. Sebastian; Treasurer, Rex French; Auditor, E. D. Trujillo; Attorney General, Edward P. Chase; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Grace J. Corrigan.

United States Senators:

Dennis Chavez, Carl A. Hatch.