1940: Connecticut

Area and Population.

With a land area of 4,820 sq. mi., Connecticut ranks forty-sixth in size among the states. In population, with 1,709,242, according to the 1940 census, it now ranks thirty-first instead of twenty-ninth, in spite of an increase of 6.4 per cent since 1930. The capital, Hartford, is the largest city, with 166,267; other important cities in order of size are: New Haven, 160,605; Bridgeport, 147,121; Waterbury, 99,314; New Britain, 68,685; Stamford, 47,938; Norwalk, 39,842; and Meriden, 39,494.

Education.

The enrollment in the public schools of the state in 1938 was 302,970; for the year 1939-40 the average daily attendance was: kindergartens, 11,747; elementary schools, 153,127; junior high schools, 21,298; high schools, 79,662. In 1938 the total current expenditures for public schools amounted to $28,432,523. The average salary for men teachers in elementary schools was $1,484; in high schools $2,213; for women teachers in elementary schools $1,536; in high schools $1,993. The number of teachers employed was 9,643. While the total school attendance is declining somewhat, the high school attendance is increasing.

The State Department of Education is engaged in a thorough-going effort to redirect the educational program with a view to making the work of the schools integrate more satisfactorily with the social and economic life of the community. The Department does not exercise state-wide control of the schools but leaves each locality full autonomy and responsibility. The Department's work consists entirely of advice and correlation.

Agriculture.

In general, crops in 1940 were satisfactory. The principal products in order of value are hay, tobacco, potatoes, apples, corn, peaches. The cultivation of vegetables and small fruits has been steadily increasing and now utilizes more acreage than any other crops except hay and corn. Dairy products are valued at over $20,000,000 annually, the tobacco crop over $10,000,000, and poultry products over $9,000,000.

Industry.

Connecticut is primarily a manufacturing state and is now a notable beneficiary of the national defense program, particularly in relation to aviation, small arms and ammunition, and machine tools. At the close of 1940 Connecticut industries had exceeded the employment level of 1929, and also the production record for that year in spite of the shorter working day. Daily and weekly earnings are also at a higher level than in 1929. The number of wholesale establishments in 1939 was 1,607, a considerable increase over both 1935 and 1929. Their sales were $413,134,000, an increase of 38 per cent over 1935, but 15 per cent less than 1929. There were 15,795 employees.

The services of the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration in 1940 reduced the number of strikes, as compared with 1939, even though the number of labor disputes was somewhat greater. In 1937 goods valued at $1,261,788,693 were produced by a total of 262,620 workers.

Finance.

The state income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1940, was $74,596,669, and the net expenditures $72,195,799, leaving a surplus of $1,748,808 in the General Fund. Expenditures from the General Fund covering the general costs of the state government were $26,025,851; from the Highway Fund $20,964,984; from the Building Fund, for new construction and equipment, $12,078,901; from the Unemployment Compensation Benefits Fund $5,459,786; and from the Old-Age Assistance Fund $5,418,611.

Banking and Insurance.

In the year ending Sept. 30, 1940, the number of accounts in the 72 mutual savings banks of the state had increased to 984,506, and the deposits to $742,861,831, making the total assets of these institutions $830,623,664.

There are 49 legal reserve life-insurance companies licensed to do business in Connecticut. Five have their headquarters in Hartford and operate under Connecticut charters. In 1939 these five companies wrote 11.12 per cent of the new ordinary life insurance in the whole country. The number of policies written in Connecticut by all companies increased notably, but the total value of policies showed only slight increase, revealing a decline in the average value of such policies to the low figure of $1,606 in recent years. Over 20 per cent of the casualty business of the entire country is written by Connecticut companies. Both the casualty and fire companies of the state reported improved business for the year.

Events of the Year.

The Legislature did not meet in 1940, but will assemble for the biennial session in January 1941, with the Senate composed of 22 Democrats and 13 Republicans, and the House of 88 Democrats and 184 Republicans. The appeal of those convicted in the Waterbury scandal trial in 1939 was heard by the Supreme Court of Errors in November 1940.

As a result of an extensive building program various additional improvements have been completed at Connecticut State Hospital and Fairfield State Hospital, while the Southbury Training School for Feebleminded Children and the Veterans' Home at Rocky Hill are entirely new developments. The costs of the building program have been defrayed partly from Federal funds and partly by a bond issue authorized by the General Assembly of 1937. The University of Connecticut at Storrs has also benefited extensively from this program.

In 1940 the final section of the Merritt Parkway was opened to traffic and work was carried forward on the Wilbur Cross Highway which will continue it through Hartford to the Massachusetts line.

State Officers.

Governor, Robert A. Hurley; Lieutenant Governor, Odell Shepard; Secretary of State, Mrs. Chase Going Woodhouse; Treasurer, Frank M. Anastasio; Comptroller, John M. Dowe; Attorney General, Francis A. Pollotti; Commissioner of Education, Alonzo G. Grace.

United States Senators.

Francis T. Maloney, John A. Danaher.