1938: Virginia

One of the thirteen original states, Virginia is often referred to as 'The Old Dominion' or as the 'Mother of Presidents.' It has an area of 42,627 square miles, ranking 33rd in size. Approximately 40,000 square miles are land area. The population of the state in 1930 was 2,421,851 (20th in rank); and by an official estimate of 1938 was 2,637,000. Of the 1930 population, 785,537 were rated as urban and 1,636,314 as rural. Of this population, 1,770,405 were whites, 650,165 Negroes, and 1,281 of other races. Of the white population 1,692,703 were native-born. The largest cities are Richmond, the capital, 182,929 (1930 census); Norfolk, 129,710; Roanoke, 69,206; Portsmouth, 45,704; Lynchburg, 40,661, Newport News, 34,417. Of these cities, Roanoke has probably made the most rapid growth since 1930.

Virginia contains five famous historical shrines — Mount Vernon, Monticello, Wakefield, Stratford, and Arlington. To these should be added Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, all three included in the recently established 'Colonial National Monument.' These places, together with the scenic Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park, attract every year many thousands of tourists.

Resources.

While Virginia is properly classified as a southern state, it differs in many respects from the states of 'the Deep South.' Only a small proportion of Virginia's soil is sandy, and erosion is consequently less than in most southern states. Only eleven of Virginia's counties grow cotton. Sharecropping, absentee-ownership and tenancy are less common than in other states of the south. Likewise, Virginia is more nearly self-sustaining in home-grown foods. In manufactured products Virginia outranks all other southern states except one, in mineral products all except four. In the southern fishing industry it stands first. Virginia also ranks at the top among southern states in bank resources per capita, and in per capita property holdings and income.

Education.

On a number of educational counts Virginia stands near the head among the states of the south, ranking third in revenue available for public education, third in number per thousand population attending colleges or professional schools, fourth in average salaries for teachers and principals, and fourth in percentage of total school population in high school. The state is well supplied with institutions of higher learning, both tax-supported and on private foundation. Among the best known are the University of Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, College of William and Mary, University of Richmond, and the Hampton Institute for Negroes. Notable advance has been made, chiefly with the aid of WPA, in the equipment of publicly controlled schools and colleges. A million-dollar library building at the University of Virginia and a clinic and laboratory building costing $800,000 at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond deserve special mention.

Agriculture.

The reports of official statisticians show that 1938 crops are slightly below those of 1937, both in amount and in value, though they are above the ten-year average. Tobacco production almost equaled the 1937 crop of 107,000,000 pounds. Acreages were about the same as in 1937, except for cotton and tobacco, which were curtailed under governmental administration, but unfavorable weather conditions reduced crop volume. Cash income will be somewhat less than the $129,000,000 of 1937.

Industry.

Virginia manufactures mostly consumer goods and there has not been much change in output in the past three years. The current year will show a five per cent increase in manufacture of tobacco, and a similar increase in rayon products. Except for 1937, the current year has been the best in industry since 1931. New construction shows a four per cent increase over 1937. Employment showed some decrease in the early part of 1938, but has been picking up since September.

Mineral Products.

Coal and stone are the chief mineral products of Virginia. In 1937, production of coal amounted to 13,558,000 tons compared with 11,661,636 tons in 1936, with a value of $20,278,000. Stone shipments amounted in 1937 to 5,061,660 tons valued at $5,399,137. The total value of Virginia's minerals, including substantial amounts of sand and gravel, as well as manganese ore, and some zinc-lead ores, amounted in 1936 to $37,499,991.

Finance.

State finances are economically administered under a strict budget system. The state budget for 1938 carried $38,775,779, for current expense, and for capital outlay $1,129,375.

State Officers.

Governor, James H. Price; Lieutenant Governor, Saxon W. Holt; Secretary of the Commonwealth, Raymond Jackson; Attorney General, Abram P. Staples; Comptroller, LeRoy Hodges; Treasurer, Edwin B. Jones; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Sidney B. Hall.

United States Senators:

Carter Glass and Harry Flood Byrd.