1938: Washington

Area and Population.

Washington, nicknamed the 'Evergreen State' and the 'Chinook State,' was admitted to statehood Nov. 11, 1889. It ranks 19th in size, with an area of 69,127 square miles; in 1930 it ranked 30th in population, numbering 1,563,396. The Federal estimate in 1937 was 1,658,000. In 1930, 56.6 per cent of the people lived in cities and 43.4 per cent were rural dwellers. Roughly, 97 per cent are members of the white race. Minority racial groups include the following: Japanese, 17,837; Indians, 11,253; Negroes, 6,840; Filipinos, 3,480; and Chinese, 2,195. Native-born whites comprise about 81 per cent of the population, with more than half the total population also of native parentage. Augmenting of the rural population by dust-bowl refugees continues.

The chief cities show a healthy rate of growth, with Seattle's population in 1937 estimated at 412,853; Spokane, 135,000; Tacoma, 111,000; Bellingham, 32,000; Everett, 31,000 and Yakima, 30,000. Olympia, an attractive city of about 14,000, located at the head of Puget Sound, is the capital.

Legislative Matters.

The state Legislature meets in the odd-numbered years, but 1938 brought many legislative proposals. Moreover, the state came close to a special session in April. Lieutenant Governor Victor Myers had long promised that if Governor Martin should leave the state, the Legislature would be convened by himself to provide enabling legislation to receive Federal housing funds, and to increase social security benefits. On April 20 cross-country airplane races found the Governor back in the state after a trip to Washington, D.C., just a few minutes too soon to make legal the Lieutenant Governor's call for a special session, following his arrival by plane from California the day before. Social security legislation is most pressing since state funds are at a low ebb and a recent decision of the state Supreme Court nearly doubles the number of potential recipients of old age assistance. Financial problems will loom especially large in the 1939 Legislature, since the electorate turned down an income-tax amendment that would have provided additional funds for social security and for such other hard-pressed groups as the schools and cities.

In the November 1938 election the people approved a 37 mill limit on real property and an initiative making county and state school superintendencies nonpartisan offices on the ballot. The most hotly contested initiative on the ballot was disapproved. It was intended to eliminate 'labor racketeers' and promote democratic control of unions, but actually, according to opponents, it would have nullified the Wagner Act and been a step toward Fascism. Large sums were spent by both sides during the campaign.

Industrial Review.

In financial, agricultural, manufacturing, and industrial activities, Washington fared better during 1938 than many other sections of the country, despite the recession and the slump in the lumber industry. As was true throughout the country, Washington's bank debits and department store sales showed declines during 1938; but the value of building permits and mining activities showed increases. Farm income was up, with farm real estate values about the same as in 1937. Industrial developments include new uses for plywood, such as the construction of pre-fabricated houses. Research along the line of potential industrial developments has been carried on by the Northwest Chemurgic Conference, the State Planning Council, and the higher institutions. Industrial possibilities disclosed by research include production of magnesium from magnesite and dolomite, synthetic ammonia, a magnesia industry, and plastics from farm products.

Washington's lumber industry still ranks first in the nation, while coal and other minerals are important products of the state. Scientific inventories of the natural resources and recommendations for their exploitation are being made by the State Planning Council. Tourist trade and out-of-state investments are sought through the publicity efforts of the State Progress Commission. The state is moderately wealthy, as evidenced by the fact that it ranks 8th in per capita tax-paying ability.

Public works projects of significance include the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, through which irrigation districts are now being formed, and the Bonneville Dam farther down the river, which began generating electricity in 1938. Projected bridges of record size, on which work will soon commence, are the Lake Washington pontoon bridge, and the suspension bridge across The Narrows of Puget Sound near Tacoma. The Olympus National Park, comprising about three-fourths of a million acres of virgin wilderness, was created by presidential decree during the year.

Mineral Products.

Coal constitutes the major item among Washington's minerals. The total value of these in 1936 was $23,092,607. Production of coal in 1937 amounted to 2,010,000 tons, as against 1,812,104 tons in 1936 with a value of $5,504,000. Washington's limited supply of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc added $2,253,054 to the total values in 1937; and stone for building and paving amounting to 1,909,025 tons, added $1,645,848.

Education.

About 330,000 attend the public schools, involving an expenditure of some $35,000,000. The University of Washington, with about 10,000 students, and the State College, with about 4,000, show steady growth. The state ranks high in many aspects of education, as evidenced by the low illiteracy rate of one per cent. An educational survey of the State Planning Council recommends school district consolidation, establishment of junior colleges, extension of vocational education, and expansion of public library service.

State Officers.

The chief state officers are: Governor, Clarence D. Martin; Lieutenant Governor, Victor A. Meyers; Secretary of State, Mrs. Belle Reeves; State Auditor, Cliff Yelle; Treasurer, Phil H. Gallagher; Attorney General, G. W. Hamilton; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Stanley F. Atwood.

United States Senators:

Homer T. Bone and Lewis B. Schwellenbach.