1938: New Mexico

Area and Population.

The second youngest state in the Union, New Mexico was admitted Jan. 6, 1912. With an area of 122,634 sq. mi. it ranks 4th in size among the states. In population it ranks 44th, numbering 423,317 according to the census of 1930; 422,000 on July 1, 1937, according to a Federal estimate. The 1930 population was divided as follows: whites (including native Spanish Americans), 331,755; Mexicans, 59,340; Indians, 28,755; Negroes, 2,850; Asiatics, 431.

The largest cities are Albuquerque, leading business center, 26,570 (1930 census); Santa Fe, the capital, 11,176; Roswell, in the artesian belt, 11,173; and the following with unofficial estimates: Hobbs, an oil center, 12,800; Las Vegas, 'meadow city,' 11,000; Carlsbad, Cavern City, 8,500; Las Cruces, in the agricultural section 8,497.

Agriculture.

Irrigation in the Rio Grande, Pecos, San Juan and other river basins has already placed 527,033 acres under cultivation. With completion of the Arch Hurley, Conchas Dam, and other irrigation projects, many thousand acres more will be opened up.

Mineral Products.

An extraordinary increase in 1937 in the value of the state's supply of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, equaled a gain of 164 per cent above the previous year. This amounted to $14,038,790, as against $5,316,172 in 1936. For this increase, copper and zinc were mainly responsible. The former rose from 6,332,000 pounds, valued at $582,544 in 1936 to 64,106,000 pounds valued at $7,756,826. This was the result of resumed activity in the Chino mines at Santa Rita. Zinc showed a gain of 56 per cent in value, amounting to $3,110,510 for 23,927 tons, as against $2,066,800 for 20,668 tons in 1936. Silver and lead remained fairly stationary in amount and value, production of the former being 1,243,766 oz., and of the latter, 13,024,000 pounds. In addition, production of petroleum rose from 27,223,000 bbl. to 38,854,000 bbl., an increase of 43 per cent over 1936. The estimated production for 1938 is 35,759,000 bbl. The opening of vast new oil fields in southeastern New Mexico, and the development of carbon dioxide gas areas in Harding and Torrance counties were major industrial developments during 1938. Extensive potash fields near Carlsbad furnished a livelihood for many hundreds of workers throughout the year. New Mexico coal mines furnished 1,239,716 tons of bituminous coal during the year ending Oct. 31, 1938. These figures show a decrease of 511,283 tons as against those of the preceding year, but the approximate valuation of $8,391,047 is an increase of $316,171 over 1936.

Education.

In education the state is making rapid strides. Enrollment in schools of the state numbered 125,535 during 1937-38, 63,573 in rural and 61,963 in municipal schools. High school enrollment in 1935-36 was 18,041 as compared with 3,806 in 1925-26, an increase of more than 400 per cent within a decade. During the past year about 23,000 pupils were transported over school bus routes. Since 1934 New Mexico has established a complete system of free textbooks for all children from the first through the eighth grades. The department of education is laying the foundation for a state-wide, state-directed school library system.

Events of Interest.

Natural attractions, combined with a romantic, historical background, are among New Mexico's great assets. During 1937, 1,371,000 out-of-state motor vehicles bearing 3,672,000 persons entered the state. The world-famous Carlsbad Caverns which drew 207,041 visitors from Jan. 1, 1937 to Jan. 1, 1938, probably remain the leading attraction. The New Mexico State Fair, re-established by legislative enactment in 1935, was held during 1938 (Oct. 9-16) at Albuquerque, for the first time since 1916. Buildings erected for the fair cost over one million dollars. Plans for a state-wide Coronado Cuarto Centennial in 1940 to commemorate the explorations of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (c. 1500-1549) are in progress, under direction of a special Commission.

Finances.

For the year ending June 30, 1938, the revenues of the state amounted to $39,795,341, including a balance of $32,438,240 remaining on July 1, 1937. Disbursements for the fiscal year 1937-38 amounted to $31,500,439, leaving a balance on July 1, 1938, of $8,294,902. Total bonded indebtedness of the State on June 30, 1938, was $1,853,688.06. The assessed value of real and personal property for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1938, was $310,266,984. The 1937 unemployment census showed a total of 30,836 unemployed, including emergency workers, and 7,987 persons partially unemployed. Old age assistance, in accordance with plans approved by the National Social Security Board, during August, 1938, went to 3,795 persons, the average assistance amounting to $11.10.

Banking.

New Mexico had on Dec. 31, 1937, 22 national banks with deposits of $45,355,334, loans of $13,365,855, investments of $16,234,686; 19 state banks and trust companies with deposits of $12,136,452, loans of $4,263,515, investments of $3,494,569.

State Officers.

As the result of the November election, in which the entire Democratic state ticket was elected, the chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, John E. Miles; Secretary of State, Elizabeth F. Gonzales; State Treasurer, Rex French; Attorney General, Filo Sedillo.

United States Senators.

Dennis Chavez, Carl A. Hatch.