1940: Delaware

Area and Population.

Delaware, next to the smallest state in the Union, has a land area of 1965 sq. mi. with 405 sq. mi. of water. It extends only 95 miles from the northernmost point to the southernmost, and only 35 miles at the widest part, in the southern section. According to the 1940 census the population of the state was 266,505, an increase of 11.8 per cent over that of 1930. Wilmington, the largest city, has a population of 112,504; Dover, the capital, 5,517; Newark, 4,502; New Castle, 4,414; Milford, 4,214.

Education.

As provided in Delaware's Constitution, separate schools are maintained for white and for Negro children. In 1939-40, 44,372 persons between the ages of 5 and 20 were attending school. The 210 elementary schools had 874 teachers and 26,111 pupils enrolled, and the 33 high schools had 789 teachers and 18,261 pupils. The total expenditure for public schools was $5,520,989.16. The average salary for elementary teachers is $1,468 and for high school teachers, $1,729.

A motion picture and slide history of America has been presented to the Delaware schools — public and parochial — as a gift from public-spirited citizens. The films, issued by Yale University, are 'The Chronicles of America' photoplays and the 'stills' are part of the American collection, 'The Pageant of America' lantern slides. In addition, sets of 'The Chronicles of America' and 'The Pageant of America' have been distributed to the libraries of each of the high schools in Delaware, and a set of the latter to several junior high and elementary schools.

The Delaware Vocational Rehabilitation Act has been in operation since August 1, 1939. Under provisions of the Act the Department of Public Instruction was designated the administrative unit and the State Board for Vocational Education the supervisory agency. The program is financed jointly by the state and Federal Governments.

Agriculture.

Agriculture is the most important industry in Delaware, with 73 per cent of the land in farms, which number 10,381 and cover a total area of 921,251 acres, of which 504,171 acres are crop land.

The State Department of Agriculture in 1940 established a new state egg-marketing system based on standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture. Egg-grading stations have been opened in Dover and Middletown by the Southern States Marketing Cooperative.

The poultry industry in Delaware has received widespread recognition, particularly the broiler division which produces more than half of the state's farm income. Poultry blood-testing work and disease control have increased, 263,000 blood tests having been made during the past year.

Industry.

Of the fifty-six industrial plants enrolled in the interplant safety contest of the Delaware Safety Council, fifteen reported no accidents for the first seven months of 1940. The Seaford operating plant of the Du Pont Company was first in competition among Group A, or the larger plants. The Pullman Company and the Du Pont Company's experimental station, chemical division, were respectively second and third. The three leading plants in Group B, or smaller plants, were the Delaware Electric and Power Company, mechanical division; the Modern Bond Corporation; and the Baker-Layton Machine Company.

The number of men employed in industry increased from 18,376 in June to 18,605 for July. Plants enrolled reported 21,371,631 man-hours of work for the 1940 period ending July 31.

Finances.

The result of operation of state finances during the past fiscal year (July 1, 1939-June 30, 1940) showed a decrease in the state's surplus of $880,904.33. The general fund revenue increased over the anticipated amount by $227,441.88, due mainly to increases in inheritance and estate taxes, revenue from the Delaware Liquor Commission, and mercantile licenses.

No money was borrowed from the banks, and $300,000 was repaid to them of moneys that had been borrowed during the previous year.

For the year ending June 30, 1940, the receipts and disbursements (excluding sinking fund) of the state were:

On June 30, 1940, the state debt was $4,386,000.

Relief expenditures from state funds from July 1, 1939 to June 30, 1940 amounted to $240,495.95; unemployment benefits, $843,184.60; old-age-pensions paid by the state, $176,450.50; mothers' pensions paid by the state, $57,209.36.

Banking.

On June 29, 1940, Delaware had 15 licensed National Banks with deposits of $19,692,000, loans of $8,802,000 and investments of $7,295,000; the 31 licensed State banks and trust companies had deposits of $221,915,000, loans of $70,739,000 and investments of $105,845,000.

Political Events.

The result of the fall election was peculiar in that while the Democratic presidential nominee received a plurality of 13,209 votes, the Republican candidate for Governor was elected with a plurality of 9,533 votes. All the other top-ranking offices were filled by Democrats.

State Officers.

Governor, Walter W. Bacon; Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Isaac J. MacCollum; Secretary of State, Earle D. Willey; Treasurer, Peter Collins; Auditor, Dr. Harrison Manning; Attorney General, James R. Morford; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Harry V. Holloway.

United States Senators:

James H. Hughes, James M. Tunnell, Sr.