1938: Delaware

Area and Population.

Popularly known as 'the Blue Hen State,' Delaware was one of the thirteen original states. With an area of 2,370 sq. mi., it ranks 47th in size among the states. In population it ranks 46th, numbering 238,380 according to the census of 1930; 261,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. Of the 1930 population, the native whites numbered 188,809; the foreign-born, 16,885; and Negroes, 36,602. The largest cities are Wilmington, 106,597 (1930 census); and Dover, the capital, 4,800.

Agriculture.

Agriculture is the main industry in Delaware. There are 10,381 farms covering a total area of 921,251 acres, of which 504,171 acres are crop land. The value of the farm lands and buildings in Delaware is $51,475,728. The cash income from January 1 to December 31st, 1937, was $8,725,000 from crops, and $7,000,000 from poultry.

Industry.

According to the 1935 census, there were 343 manufacturing establishments in Delaware; these employed 17,833 wage earners, earning $17,197,000. The value of the products was $86,452,000.

The outstanding industrial development of 1938 was the selection of a site at Seaford, Delaware, for the erection of a $7,000,000 textile yarn plant by E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

Education.

Delaware continued its progress in modern education during the year. Significant events included the formation of discussion groups composed of principals and teachers in different sections of the state, who meet for the discussion of the functions of the secondary school and suitable curricula; home visits on the part of the home economics teachers; and the further development of social studies in the elementary schools.

Legislation.

The General Assembly of Delaware did not meet in 1938, and therefore no important legislative acts took place during the year. However, at a special session of the state Senate in Dover on Dec. 7, 1938, the Governor's appointment of Judge W. W. Harrington as the new Chancellor to succeed the late Josiah O. Wolcott (d. Nov. 11) was confirmed. This left a vacancy on the bench, which was filled by the appointment of Secretary of State Charles L. Terry as Associate Judge for Kent County. The office of Secretary of State was then filled by the appointment of Josiah Marvel, Jr., of Wilmington.

The 1938 election was a reversal of that of 1936, resulting in an overwhelming Republican Lower House and a Republican majority of three in the Senate.

Events of Interest.

Delaware was transformed into a 'Girls' State' on April 30, 1938, and a 'Boys' State' on May 14, as the girls and boys, meeting on their separate 'days' in the Legislative Building at Dover, took the part of state officials and members of the legislature, and 'ruled' Delaware for a day.

Delaware took part in the National Air Mail Week Observance, May 15-21, 1938, by using on all air mail during that week a cachet bearing the Delaware state seal. In addition, four direct flights of air mail were made from the Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover and Rehoboth Airports to Central Airport at Camden, New Jersey.

On June 27, 1938, Delaware celebrated the three hundredth anniversary of the first permanent settlement in Delaware by Swedish and Finnish colonists. A royal delegation arrived from Sweden and Finland for the event. Crown Prince Gustaf Adolph of Sweden, was prevented by illness from leaving the steamship, but Crown Princess Louise and their son, Prince Bertil, participated in the ceremonies, which took place on the site where the first settlers landed in the spring of 1638; the Rocks at Wilmington, now a part of Fort Christina State Park.

Finance and Banking.

The report of the State Auditor at the close of the fiscal year, June 30, 1938, showed that the state's total assets, including current and capital assets were $65,281,978.02; the total cash, excluding the sinking fund, was $4,439,499.45, and the outstanding debt amounted to $3,467,000. On June 30, 1938, Delaware had 16 licensed national banks with deposits of $17,760,544.68, loans of $8,083,630.12, and investments of $9,891,615.59; the 41 licensed state banks and trust companies had deposits of $171,005,662.31.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state are: Governor, Richard C. McMullen; Lieutenant Governor, Edward W. Cooch; Secretary of State (Charles L. Terry, resigned) Josiah Marvel, Jr.; Attorney-General, James R. Morford; State Treasurer, Fagan H. Simonton; State Auditor, Benjamin I. Shaw.

United State Senators.

John G. Townsend, Jr., James H. Hughes.