1940: Idaho

Area and Population.

Idaho, which was created a territory in 1863, and made a state in 1890, celebrated in 1940 its fiftieth year of statehood by passing the half-million mark in population. Known as the Gem State, and the twelfth largest state in the Union, with an area of 83,354 sq. mi., it reported 524,873 residents in the 1940 census. The increase was 17.9 per cent over the 445,032 of the previous census. Nearly 74 per cent of the population is rural, white, and native-born. The increase was less in cities than in the farming communities.

The largest Basque colony in the world, outside of Spain and France, lives in southwestern Idaho's sheep section. Of the several thousand of these, about half are second-generation citizens of the United States. The Negro population is less than one per cent of Idaho's total.

Federal lands, such as national forests, three Indian reservations, a portion of Yellowstone Park, and a national monument — Craters of the Moon — comprise more than 60 per cent of the land area of Idaho.

The state's seven cities of 10,000 or more include Boise, the capital, 26,130; Pocatello, 18,133; Idaho Falls, 15,024; Nampa, 12,149; Twin Falls, 11,851; Lewiston, 10,548; and Coeur d'Alene, 10,049.

Education.

Of 139,432 persons of school age in 1939-40, there were 122,441 enrolled in schools of 1,195 districts. During the year 1,329 schools, including 183 high schools, were operated. Grade school enrollment was 87,149; high schools, 35,292. The entire system employed 4,523 teachers. The total expenditure for public schools was $11,076,150, a slight decrease from the $12,181,171 spent in 1938-39. Five and one-half millions were spent for salaries and one and one-quarter millions for improvements.

The average salary was larger for both men and women in grade and high schools. For high school teachers the 1940 average was $1,311, compared with $1,273 in 1939. For grade teachers the amount was $954 compared with $939 for 1939. Men averaged $1,215 in 1940; women, $1,055.

An amendment was adopted at the November election prohibiting the granting of farm loans from school endowment funds.

Reclamation efforts were correlated in the Southwestern Idaho Water Conservation Project, Inc., a clearing-house for irrigation project planning.

Mineral Products.

The total value of Idaho's leading minerals, silver, lead, zinc, gold and copper, in 1939 — $29,794,144 — was above that of 1938 by about $700,000. Gold showed the greatest increase at 116,662 oz. valued at $4,083,170, a rise of 13 per cent. Silver production was 9 per cent below that of the previous year with 17,222,370 ounces. Zinc and copper both showed appreciable increases.

Political and Legislative Events.

Important political events during 1940 were the appointment of John Thomas as United States Senator to succeed William E. Borah, who died in January, and the return of the Democratic party to state control in November through the defeat of the Republican Governor, C. A. Bottolfsen. The attempt by initiative to establish local option failed in the general elections. Two constitutional amendments, in addition to the one on endowment funds, were approved. They authorize the Legislature to pass laws complying with Federal assistance regulations, and limit expenditure of the gasoline tax to highway improvement.

The office of state comptroller, established by the 1939 Legislature, was abolished by Supreme Court decision. The office of tax commissioner, also created in 1939 for the collection of all state excise taxes, was absorbed by the state auditor.

Finance.

The total state revenue from all sources for the fiscal year amounted to $31,186,658. Disbursements were $30,953,275. Both figures are as of November 1, 1940. The available cash at the end of the year was about $2,300,000. A year ago available cash was $1,825,430. Bonds currently aggregate $1,349,500; registered warrants $1,565,761.

Disbursements for public assistance were $3,809,724. Bonds in the sum of $482,000 were issued for purchase of a toll bridge, and $100,000 for construction of an addition to the school for deaf and blind at Goodling. The total assessed property valuation in 1940 was $387,500,000. Per capita wealth was $740.

State Officers.

As a result of the 1940 elections, state officials are as follows: Governor, Chase A. Clark; Lieutenant Governor, Charles C. Gossett; Secretary of State, George Curtis; State Auditor, Calvin E. Wright; Treasurer, Mrs. Myrtle P. Enking; Attorney General, Bert H. Miller; Superintendent of Public Instruction, C. E. Roberts; Superintendent of Mines, Arthur Campbell.

United States Senators:

D. Worth Clark, John Thomas.