1938: North Carolina

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, North Carolina ranks 27th in size among the states, with an area of 52,426 sq. mi. In population it ranks 12th, numbering 3,170,276 according to the census of 1930; 3,527,000 in 1938, according to an official estimate. The largest cities are Charlotte, 82,675 (1930 census); Winston-Salem, 75,274; Greensboro, 53,569; Durham, 52,037; Asheville, 50,193; Raleigh, the capital, 37,379.

Of the 1930 population, the whites numbered 2,234,948; native-born, 226,160; foreign-born, 8,788; Negroes, 918,647; other races, 16,681.

Agriculture.

North Carolina was one of the first states in the Union to adopt a systematic classification of mapping its soil resources. By 1935 more than four-fifths of the total area of the state had been mapped. The number of farms was then 300,967; acres harvested, 5,965,547; and total value of farm property, $622,718,510. The value of crops in 1937 was $283,631,000; of livestock and poultry, $101,080,000.

Manufacturing.

North Carolina leads the nation in the manufacture of cotton goods and tobacco products. It is second in rayon manufacture and fourth in furniture production. The total number of wage earners in 1937 was 229,534; of cotton mill workers, 99,964. The number of cotton mill spindles active in July 1937 was 5,829,953.

Industry.

The number of power companies in 1937 was 36. Capital invested totaled $238,769,173; total receipts, $35,940,815.75. The number of establishments engaged in wholesale trade numbered 2,459. Net sales amounted to $554,300,000. The number of retail stores was 29,463. Net sales totaled $463,219,000.

Natural Resources.

More than 300 minerals are found in North Carolina. The chief ones are clay, mica, barytes, talc, kaolin, and coal. The chief metals are gold, silver, copper, manganese, nickel, chromium, lead and zinc. In 1936 the total value of all these was $9,865,064.

Forest regions of North Carolina fall into three divisions, Southern Forest, Central Hardwoods and Northern Forest. The merchantable trees are pine, oak, poplar, chestnut, gum and cypress.

North Carolina ranks as one of the foremost states in the Union in the abundance and variety of wildlife. The chief small game are quail, wild turkey, dove, ruffled grouse and pheasant; big game include deer, bear, wild boar and elk.

Education.

Higher education is given in seven state and thirty-nine private denominational colleges. The largest institution is the Greater University of North Carolina with three branches, the University at Chapel Hill, State College of Agriculture and Engineering at Raleigh, Woman's College at Greensboro. In 1937-38 the number of public schools was 2,263, including 1,849 grade schools and 414 high schools. The total enrollment was 880,646. Teachers numbered 23,919. The total expenditure on public school education was $37,555,896.55; average teacher's salary, $84,17.

Finance.

The aggregate resources of North Carolina banks and trust companies in 1937 were $336,892,322.12. State banks numbered 163, with $336,892,322.12; National banks, 43 with $109,076,000.00; Industrial banks, 32, with $17,289,359.22. Total bonds paid during five years preceding June 30, 1938, were $33,645,500. State bonds purchased by sinking funds for the same period amounted to $5,446,000. Total bonds paid or purchased, $39,091,500.

Legislative Matters.

The outstanding legislative acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, passed during the extra session of 1936 and the regular session of 1937, were the Unemployment Compensation Law, an amendment broadening the powers of the State Commission for the Blind so as to provide for direct relief to needy blind persons, and an act to provide financial assistance to needy aged persons and dependent children.

The administration of Governor Hoey has been a period of great expansion in all branches of the state agencies. It has also been marked by a freedom from strikes and all labor troubles.

State Officers.

Governor, Clyde R. Hoey; Secretary of State, Thad Eure; Auditor, George Ross Pou; Treasurer, Charles M. Johnson; Attorney General, Harry McMullan; Supt. of Public Instruction, Clyde A. Erwin.

United States Senators.

Josiah W. Bailey, Robert R. Reynolds.