1942: Mississippi

Area and Population.

The state of Mississippi lies in the south-central section of the United States. It is hilly but not rugged and in general slopes downward to the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. The area of 47,716 sq. mi. includes 296 sq. mi. of inland water area.

Mississippi has a population of 2,183,766, according to the 1940 census, which is an increase of 8.7 per cent over the 1930 census. Of this number, 432,882, or 19.8 per cent of the population is urban, and 1,750,914, or 80.2 per cent is rural. Jackson, the state's capital, is the largest city in Mississippi, with a 1940 population of 62,107. Meridian, 35,481, and Vicksburg, 24,460, rank next in size. The 1940 census showed Hattiesburg with a population of 21,026; Laurel, 20,598; Biloxi, 17,475; and Gulfport, 15,195. However, with the recent establishment of army camps and air bases near all these cities, the population has greatly increased.

Education.

During the 1941-42 school session there were 866,000 inhabitants of school age in Mississippi. Of the 613,000 enrolled pupils, approximately 50 per cent were whites and 50 per cent Negroes. Of the total number, 535,000 pupils were enrolled in the elementary schools, and 76,683 students in high schools.

There were in operation in Mississippi, during the same school year, 5,100 white and Negro, elementary and high, schools. The state's expenditure on education for the school year amounted to $6,800,000. The average teacher's salary was about $550.

The 1942 session of the State Legislature provided for the distribution of free text books to all pupils, not only in the elementary schools of the state, but in the high schools as well.

Agriculture.

A majority of the people in Mississippi derive their income either directly or indirectly from agriculture. In 1942, Mississippi cooperated fully with the Secretary of Agriculture in the food production program and a bumper crop was harvested. The agricultural income of the state reached an all-time high of $332,000,000 gross. The cotton crop, of approximately two million bales, accounted for over 60 per cent of this income.

The number of farm families in Mississippi decreased from 310,000 in 1930 to 291,000 in 1940. There has been considerable decrease since 1940 due to migration of farm workers to industry, and to others being called into the armed forces.

In addition to the cotton crop, Mississippi is a large producer of dairy products, beef cattle, corn, sweet potatoes, oats, peanuts, pecans, fruits and tung oil. Mississippi leads the nation in the production of tung oil and long-staple cotton.

Industry.

Industrial employment and the value of industrial products in Mississippi reached its highest peak in 1942, due principally to the demands in the war program. Timber and timber products constituted the principal industry and all saw-mills, planing mills, dry kilns, and other wood-processing plants in the state have been operating at capacity.

During 1942 the war construction program in Mississippi provided the second largest source of industrial employment. It is expected that this activity will greatly diminish in 1943, however.

Mineral Products.

Mineral deposits in Mississippi include hydrated limestone, coal, gypsum, and rich clays. The state's chief mineral resource is its large supply of natural gas. There was considerable activity in Mississippi during 1942, in the state's one large producing field.

Finance.

The state budget for the biennium, 1942-44, amounted to $46,006,323.79.

Legislative and Political Matters.

The Legislature of the State of Mississippi held its biennial session during 1942. During the session the Legislature voted to reduce taxes, to provide free text books for all educable children in the state, increased appropriations for public schools and various welfare services, appropriated money to provide a program for civilian defense in the state, and passed various other measures designed to put the state in full cooperation with the war program. The regular senatorial election was held during the year and on Sept. 15 James O. Eastland was nominated to succeed Wall Doxey, and was elected in the general election held on Nov. 3.

State Officers.

Governor, Paul B. Johnson; Lieutenant Governor, Dennis Murphree; Secretary of State, Walker Wood; State Treasurer, Lewis S. May; State Auditor, J. M. Causey; Attorney General, Greek L. Rice; Superintendent of Education, J. S. Vandiver.

United States Senators:

Theodore G. Bilbo, James O. Eastland.