1939: Michigan

Area and Population.

Officially recognized by Congress as a state of the Union on Jan. 26, 1837, Michigan ranks 22nd in size among the states, with a land area of 57,980 sq. mi. and a Great Lakes water area of 40,000 sq. mi. Its shore line extends 1,624 mi. on the Great Lakes. In population it ranks 7th, numbering 4,842,325 according to the Census of 1930; 4,830,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. The largest cities are Detroit, 1,568,662 (1930 census), Grand Rapids, 168,592; Flint, 156,492; Saginaw, 80,715. The capital is Lansing, 78,397.

Of the 1930 population, the foreign-born whites numbered 840,268, the largest groups being as follows: from Canada, 202,316; Poland, 119,228; Germany, 81,714; and England, 62,721. The increase of total population in the decade 1920-30, was 32 per cent, or 1,713,913. Of the total population in 1930, Indians numbered 7,080; Negroes 169,453. In 1938 the Indian reservations averaged less than 200 acres, with a population of about 1,000.

Education.

With a few exceptions, education in Michigan is compulsory for children from 7 to 16 years of age. The total net expenditure for public school support in 1939 was approximately $100,000,000. During the year, in round numbers, 6,600 school districts had 900,000 pupils, and 32,000 teachers. The enrollments both in secondary and higher education increased in 1938-39.

A new special education law has improved local school opportunities for physically handicapped children, such as the deaf, the blind, the crippled and the epileptic. It will extend to many of them the advantages of high school.

A change in the Teacher Oath Law made it mandatory for every Michigan holder of a teaching certificate to take out and file with the Department of Public Instruction an oath of allegiance. Approximately 75,000 such oaths were filed during the designated period which ended Dec. 27, 1939. Parochial schools also showed increased enrollment, as did the several denominational colleges.

Agriculture.

Michigan farmers profited materially in 1939 through purchases made by the Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation. The Federal-State inspection service proved of great value to marketing crops. Traveling laboratories sent throughout the state were specially helpful in eradicating bovine tuberculosis. These laboratories were operated by the State Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Federal Department. Michigan has some 200,000 farmers working a total area of nearly 20,000,000 A., valued with buildings at a little under a billion dollars. Cash income from crops in 1939 was approximately a hundred million, and from livestock a hundred and fifty million.

Mineral Products.

Production of iron ore, in which Michigan ranks second among the states, was decreased in 1938 by 50 per cent, because of the industrial recession, to a total of 6,004,311 tons, compared with 12,626,935 tons in 1937 valued at $41,136,202. On the other hand, the flow of petroleum reached a new high at 19,211,000 bbl. as against 16,628,000 in the preceding year. Salt, a product in which Michigan leads the Union, amounted to 2,078,612 tons (value $6,151,154). The output of copper for the year was 75,281,469 pounds. Shipments of cement totaled 7,192,511 bbl. Production of gypsum, in which Michigan ranks next to New York, the leading state, amounted in 1938 to 483,324 tons. In 1937 the total value of Michigan's minerals was $119,167,573.

Industry.

Michigan ranks first in the Union in production of automobiles, auto-accessories, engines, refrigerators, adding machines, chemical products, drugs and pharmaceuticals. The principal automobile centers are Detroit, Flint, Lansing, and Pontiac. One of the world's largest furniture centers is Grand Rapids. The Dow Chemical plant at Midland is world-famed. Battle Creek is noted for its cereal and breakfast food preparations. Kalamazoo is the seat of the world's largest book paper factory. Michigan's three large steel mills increased production in 1938.

Michigan is a recognized leader in airplane and engine production. In 1938 Michigan was the fourth state in the Union in the number of licensed airports and fifth in the number of airplanes and licensed pilots.

Highways.

Michigan, capital state of the automobile industry, is rapidly assuming a leading position among tourist states. Approximately 1,500,000 cars are registered in the names of Michigan's residents. They are operated on more than 9,000 mi. of state trunk-line highways, of which more than 6,000 mi. are hard-surfaced.

Between $50,000,000 and $60,000,000 are expended annually on Michigan's system of roads and highways, the money originating from taxes on automobile manufacturers and users, and from Federal grants. The state maintains 3,000 picnic tables along the trunk-line highway system during the months of favorable tourist weather. In addition, it maintains 100 roadside parks, augmented by parks under the care of county road commissions.

Michigan has adopted a uniform traffic sign and control system and a uniform traffic law. The state trunk lines are patrolled night and day by uniformed state police officers.

The state estimates its yearly tourist revenues at between $300,000,000 and $400,000,000. A great natural attraction exists in the thousands of miles of 'blue water' shores along the Great Lakes.

With the construction of ski-jumps, toboggan slides, snow parks and winter lodgings, the state is encouraging and cultivating a growing winter sports program.

Conservation.

Four outstanding projects high-lighted Michigan's 1939 Conservation program. During that year the State Legislature appropriated a half million dollars to be used to match Federal WPA and CCC moneys for improvement, expansion and development of approximately 50 Michigan state parks. The general rod license was increased from 50 cents to one dollar, and 40 cents was earmarked for research, lake and stream improvement and the acquisition of public frontage on lakes and streams. It is estimated that about $165,000 will be available each year to assure the public of continued and increased access to fishing waters. By a legislative act, Michigan was also assured of proper conservation of its oil resources.

Through termination of a long-time tax moratorium about two and a half million acres of northern Michigan lands reverted to state ownership. The Conservation Department reported the plantings of more than 225,000,000 game fish in the state's waters. The Parks Division stated that Michigan state parks were visited by more than 8,400,000 during the summer season. The year 1939 saw approximately 800,000 fishermen enjoying their sport within the state, as well as 710,000 small game hunters and 170,000 deer hunters in the woods and fields. The Conservation Department's Field Administration division reported 3,642 convictions for violation of conservation laws.

Banking.

A noticeable development in Michigan state banks for 1939, according to F. Elliott, Jr., Commissioner of Banking, was a pronounced strengthening in capital structures, due principally to the application of statutory provisions of the new banking code, the Michigan Financial Institutions Act, which was enacted in 1937. On October 2, 1939, resources of 351 commercial banks showed an increase of $46,662,123.80, and amounted to $747,958,244.64; deposits came to $677,256,232.49; and loans and discounts were $217,176,895.58 which was a growth of 9.2 per cent over 1938. There was an improvement as to quality in the investment portfolios of state banks, as well as better records in earnings. Since 1933 preferred capital stock in commercial banks has been reduced from $24,000,000 to $14,000,000.

Depositors of state banks who had their funds impounded at the time of the banking holiday in 1933 had recovered 88.68 per cent, or $426,780,174, as of October 2, 1939. The original deposits liability was $481,229,914. Claims still remaining unpaid amount to $54,449,740. During 1939 approximately $13,000,000 was paid to depositors in dividends.

Finance and Taxation.

Michigan leans heavily upon the 3 per cent sales tax for support of government, particularly for the heavy costs of education and welfare. During 1939 the sales tax produced more revenue than any other single source, amounting to approximately $52,000,000. In 1939 there were close to 100,000 businesses licensed in Michigan. The total state revenue from all sources was in the neighborhood of $200,000,000. The total assessed valuation of the state, equalized, was about five and a half billion dollars.

The Public Debt Commission (created in 1932) continued to supervise through 1939 the refunding of municipal debts on a basis of ability of communities to make payments. Since its organization more than 250 municipalities have been brought out of default. The Commission has approved refunding plans of over a half billion dollars. Operations of the Commission are under the direct supervision of the State Treasurer. His principal responsibility however is the custody of public funds. A quarter of a billion dollars pass through the State Treasury every year. In 1939 the bonded indebtedness of the state was $72,419,000. The State Treasurer had on hand in securities and cash the sum of $55,000,000 in the various sinking funds to retire these bonds when due.

Welfare and Social Security.

On June 16, 1939, Governor Luren Dickinson signed Act 280 which was adopted at the 1939 regular session of the State Legislature. The Act provided for creation of a State Department of Social Welfare consolidating all of the major welfare and relief agencies of the state. A staggered or continuing commission of five members was immediately appointed by Governor Dickinson.

The Commission held its first organization meeting July 10, 1939 and took over the task of consolidation. A central board was created which will control the expenditure of approximately $45,000,000 annually.

Abolished on July 1 by 1939 legislative act were the State Welfare Commission, the Old Age Assistance Bureau, the Emergency Welfare Relief Commission and other subsidiary Commissions. By the end of 1939 there were in all of the 83 counties of the state, and in the City of Detroit separately, Social Welfare Boards composed of members appointed by the County Boards of Supervisors and the State Commission.

In accord with the provisions of Act 280 the State Social Welfare Commission established a dual state set-up, with all Federal-State categories administered by the State Bureau of Social Security. Administration of direct relief, including state and county funds, child welfare services, supervision of the Michigan Employment Institute for the Blind, and other welfare services was incorporated in the Social Welfare Department. The State Commission signed contractual agreements with the Federal relief agencies, and certification to these agencies was turned over to the various county welfare boards, becoming effective as of December 1, 1939.

Generally improving business conditions at the end of the year were reflected in the case load figures.

By Dec. 1, 1939, the Bureau of Social Security of Michigan had met the requirements of the Federal Security Board as to personnel merit requirements, thus permitting the matching of Federal-State funds, and administration of the funds from Washington direct, through the County Social Boards, to the client.

Civil Service.

Following an official investigation by the 1939 Legislature, the civil service law was amended. Changes were made with the aim of correcting and making more workable the original act. Probably the most important was the change from a two and one partisan commission to a two and two bi-partisan commission, two members being appointed from each major political party. Another change was the strengthening of the provisions prohibiting political activities by classified employees either during or after office hours.

A veterans' preference clause has been written into the law which waives minimum entrance requirements for veterans, with the exception of the necessary experience, and gives an additional ten points after a minimum passing grade has been made. Hearings on dismissals are granted to classified employees before a non-partisan commission.

Department of Corrections.

The State Department of Corrections came into existence in July 1937. On July 30, 1939, Brigadier General Edward G. Heckel was appointed Director of the Department. On December 1, 1939, there were 1,000 employees in the Department. Of this number 614 were officers and guards in the three state penal institutions at Jackson, Marquette, and Ionia. On Nov. 17 a Guard Officers Training School was completed at the State Prison in Jackson.

On January 1, 1939, there were 7,299 prisoners incarcerated in the state penal institutions (including state prisoners in the Detroit House of Correction). By Dec. 1 the prison population rose to 7,722. Of the 7,548 prisoners incarcerated on June 30, 1939, 91.01 per cent, or 6,870, were native-born Americans.

Jails.

The 83 county jails of the state have been visited at least twice each year during the past calendar year, for purposes of appraisal and evaluation.

Recognized penal authorities have repeatedly stated that idleness is the worst feature connected with the jail system. A few jails, recently built offer more light, air, sanitation, security and facilities for segregation, than the older jails. But in connection with no jail in Michigan has a serious attempt been made to solve the problem of idleness. As now constituted, manned and administered the county jail system cannot be called correctional. The truth is that those who enter the county jails, with few exceptions, are damaged in morale and morals. A logical conclusion is that 83 county jails are not needed in Michigan, but rather that there is a desperate need for a few really correctional institutions organized and administered in accordance with the most recent conclusions of penologists and staffed by trained men chosen on the basis of knowledge and ability.

Probation.

State probation service as administered by the Bureau of Probation has a staff which includes ten probation officers in the field.

The Bureau exercises general supervision over probation officers and the administration of probation in the several courts of the state (except juvenile probation), promulgates general rules regulating the administration of probation, holds an annual conference of adult probation officers, and in general promotes the effective application of the probation system.

At the present time there are 11,290 adults on probation in Michigan. Of those 6,495 are in Wayne County. Since all of these have been convicted of felony they would have been sentenced to prison terms had there been no system of probation in the state. The cost thus saved is the difference between $25 a year per capita to supervise a probationer, and $375 a year per capita to keep a person in prison.

Parole.

The Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, one of the three bureaus created by the law within the Department of Corrections on July 22, 1937, completed its second full year of operation on Dec. 31, 1939. The two major differences between the Parole Commissioner type of administration which the Bureau succeeded are a full-time, three-member Parole Board, and a supervisional staff of parole officers also on a full-time salary basis.

During the 11 months of the calendar year, Dec. 1st, 1939, the Parole Board heard 4,136 cases regularly docketed for hearing. Parole figures, incomplete for 12 months, will approximate 2,192 releases of all classes for the year 1939, based upon 2,010 parole releases to December 1.

The standards of parole supervision have been raised appreciably by the adoption of the full-time parole officer. Longer parole periods, pre-parole instruction and better technique in the judgment of parolees offer a greater measure of protection to the people of the state. There are today 3,400 parolees.

Prisons.

During the early months of 1939 the Honor Camp was opened near the branch prison at Marquette, and about 50 inmates now live there. The prison's history for the year was marked by the sensational kidnapping of the warden, deputy warden, and two members of the State Parole Board on September 25th, by four long-term inmates. The latter were captured near Menominee, Michigan, in the evening of the same day, and no one was injured in the attempted escape. The population of this institution was 750 on Jan. 1, 1939.

Warren J. Dodge became Warden of the Michigan Reformatory at Ionia on Aug. 1, 1939. The population of this institution on Dec. 1 was 1,368, as compared with 1,307 on Jan. 1.

Harry N. Jackson became Warden of the State Prison of Southern Michigan in April of 1939, for the third time during his career. On Nov. 5, 1939 Inspector Fred Boucher, a veteran guard beloved by both the inmates and fellow-officials, was shot and killed by six long-term inmates who were attempting to make their escape from the prison. The inmates were quickly recaptured and have since been convicted of murder. The prison had a population on Dec. 1 of 5,406, as compared with 5,053 on Jan. 1.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, Luren D. Dickenson (successor to Frank D. Fitzgerald, d. Mar. 16, 1939): Secretary of State, Harry F. Kelley; Treasurer, Miller Dunckel; Attorney General, Thomas Read; Auditor General, Vernon J. Brown; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Eugene B. Elliott.

United States Senators.

Arthur H. Vandenberg. Prentiss W. Brown.