1939: North Dakota

Area and Population.

Popularly known as the 'Flickertail State,' North Dakota celebrated its 50th anniversary of statehood on Nov. 2, 1939, and shared honors with South Dakota, Montana, and Washington on a commemorative postage stamp. It is the 16th state in area, with 70,837 sq. mi. Its surface is much diversified, extending from the fertile valley floor of the Red River in the east, to the Bad Lands in the southwest, and the Missouri River plateau in the west. Three-fourths of the state is farm land.

North Dakota is 38th in population among the states, with 706,000 residents (Federal estimate July 1, 1937), an increase since 1930 of almost 4 per cent. Four-fifths are native-born; but nearly half of these are children of foreign-born parents (either one or both) — the largest such proportion in any state. The 20 per cent of foreign-born inhabitants are Norwegians, Russians, Canadians, Germans, Swedes, and Danes, in the order given.

Only one-sixth of the population live in cities (a smaller proportion than in any other state but Mississippi). The largest city is Fargo, 28,619; with only three others having over 10,000: Grand Forks 17,112, Minot 16,099, and Bismarck (the capital) 11,090.

Agriculture.

North Dakota is almost exclusively agricultural, more so than any other state. Its wheat crop, usually second only to that of Kansas, is more valuable than all other crops combined. Hay is second; then come corn, barley, oats, and rye. For the last product the state leads the Union. The dry southwestern 'Bad Lands' are chiefly cattle country.

Industry.

Manufacturing, less important than in any other state except Nevada and New Mexico, includes the processing of grain and of dairy products.

Mineral Products.

Mineral wealth has increased considerably in North Dakota in the past few years, chiefly through production of coal and clay. Lignite coal strata of from six to eight feet in depth underlie some 32,000 sq. mi. in the western part of the state, and comprise perhaps two-thirds of such deposits in the entire country. During 1939 coal production was low because of the mild temperatures. Clay, found also in the west, ranges from brick clay to fine pottery clay.

Education.

The latest reports of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction showed 205,035 persons of school age (6 to 21) in 1938. Of these 145,980 were enrolled in 4,668 public schools, including 112,401 in elementary grades, 33,579 in secondary. The 8,181 teachers (1,808 men, 6,373 women) were paid average salaries of $913 for men and $635 for women.

Banking.

The 121 state banks and one trust company of the state reported their condition on October 2, 1939, as follows: Loans and discounts, $13,173,407 (increase in three months of $3,647,183); capital stock, $2,390,000 (decrease in fifteen months of $110,000); total deposits, $25,533,076 (increase in three months, $3,775,544); total reserve, $7,535,235 (increase in three months, $300,248); surplus reserve, $3,258,046 (increase in fifteen months, $1,006,738).

Finance.

The latest figures reported by the State Auditor were for the year ending June 30, 1938. Total county and state expenditures of $23,230,342 included: highways, $8,241,034; public welfare, $5,252,483; poor relief, $4,644,762; general government expenses, $3,290,934; education, $1,801,129. The Federal funds administered by the state during the same period amounted to $4,082,686. Federal expenditures within the state were $21,643,987 in 1937-38, compared with $33,086,698 (1936-37); $19,979,024 (1935-36); $3,280,798 (1934-35).

Economic Progress.

The general picture at the end of 1939 was much brighter than it was a year ago. Banking and financial conditions had improved materially. Agricultural income was larger than for ten years past. Manufacturing volume had increased. Relief and unemployment problems were less serious. Industrial advances were marked. Legislation, with no conspicuous achievements, was consistently constructive and conservative.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state are: Governor, John Moses; Lieutenant Governor, Jack Patterson; Treasurer, John Omland; Attorney General, Alvin C. Strutz; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arthur E. Thompson.

United States Senators.

Gerald P. Nye, Lynn J. Frazier.