1938: North Dakota

Area and Population.

The 'Flickertail State,' as North Dakota is popularly called, borders on Canada between Minnesota and Montana. Admitted to statehood Nov. 2, 1889, it ranks 16th in size among the states, with an area of 70,837 sq. mi. This area is about three-fourths in farm lands; a fertile, grain-producing valley floor along the Red River in the east; a farm-land plain of glacial origin in the center; the Missouri River plateau in the west. The 'Bad Lands' in the southwest are used chiefly by ranchmen.

In population North Dakota ranks 38th, numbering 680,845 according to the Census of 1930; 706,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. Of the native-born, 47 per cent are of foreign-born or mixed parentage, the largest such proportion among the states. Of the total population, 20 per cent are foreign-born, with Norwegians predominating, followed (in this order) by Russians, Canadians, Germans, Swedes, and Danes. There are some 7,000 Indians and 400 Negroes.

The urban population is proportionately less than in any other state except Mississippi, only 16.6 per cent, centered chiefly in four cities; Bismarck, the capital, 11,090 (1930 census); Fargo, 28,619; Grand Forks, 17,112; and Minot 16,099.

Agriculture.

North Dakota is more exclusively agricultural than any other state. Its wheat crop is usually at or near the top in the Union; next come oats and barley; the rye crop is much larger than that of any other state; flax is also first; tame and wild hay are also important. Cattle are the chief activity in the poorly watered southwest.

Industry.

In manufactures this predominantly agricultural state has less activity than any other state but Nevada and New Mexico, though both manufacturing and mining have been much increased in past years. Manufacturing consists chiefly of processing dairy products and grain. Mineral resources are chiefly coal and clay. Deposits of lignite coal from six to eight feet thick underlie some 32,000 square miles in the west; probably two-thirds of the deposits in the entire country. Clay deposits, also mostly in the west, range from common brick clay to high grade pottery clay.

In 1938 the general condition of the state showed some improvement over 1937 — in banking and finance, in agriculture, in manufacturing and mining, and in relief needs and employment.

Education.

The basic data concerning the public schools of the state are as follows: Of the 205,035 inhabitants of school age (6 to 21) in 1938, there were enrolled in the 4,668 public schools 145,980 pupils. The 212 high schools graduated 6,615 pupils. The total expenditure on North Dakota's public schools was $10,577,836; the average cost per pupil, $72. Salaries for the 8,181 teachers (1,808 men and 6,373 women) averaged as follows; for the men, $913; for women $635.

In education an important event of 1938 was the creation of a non-partisan state Board of Education to administer the affairs of the state colleges and universities, and thus safeguard them against political interference.

Banking.

The 131 state banks and one trust company doing business in North Dakota reported as follows on June 30, 1938: Loans and discounts, $350,946 (increase in the preceding 12 months of $160,874); deposits, $21,667,609 (decrease, $125,115); capital, $2,500,000; surplus, $1,000,000; total reserve, $5,660,938; surplus reserve, $2,251,308.

Finance.

State expenditures for relief in 1938 amounted to $4,521,874; the total of Federal, state, and county relief expenditures was $46,617,406. Federal grants within the state were $1,970,019. State appropriations for all purposes, for the biennium 1937-39, amounted to $6,973,683. This total includes such items as public health, $135,370; vocational education, $30,200; state colleges and normal schools, $2,382,191; charitable and penal institutions, $1,454,200.

State Officers.

As a result of the November election, the executive officers of the state are as follows: Governor, John Moses; Lieutenant Governor, Jack Patterson; Secretary of State, James D. Gronna; Auditor, Berta E. Baker; Treasurer, John Omland; Attorney General, Alvin C. Strutz; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arthur E. Thompson.

Judiciary.

The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court is A. M. Christianson, assisted by Associate Justices Wm. L. Nuessle, A. G. Burr, and James Morris. The Federal judges of the U. S. District Courts are Charles F. Amidon and Andrew Miller.

United States Senators:

Gerald P. Nye and Lynn J. Frazier.