1940: Utah

Area and Population.

Within an area of 84,990 sq. mi., Utah has a population (1940 census), of 550,310, an increase of 8.4 over the 1930 figures. Salt Lake City, capital of the state, is the largest city, having a population of 149,939, with an additional 61,689 in the suburbs and adjacent towns, making a metropolitan population of 211,623. Other principal cities are Ogden, 43,688; Provo, 18,071; Logan, 11,868; Murray, 5,740; Brigham, 5,642.

Education.

Since early pioneer days citizens of Utah have been conscious of the value of education. A state law requiring all children from 6 to 18 years of age to be in school accounts for the high literacy of the state. The school census for 1939-40 showed 143,537 children of school age listed. The actual enrollment numbered 137,434. The 6,103 difference in census and enrollment is probably accounted for by the attendance of that many pupils in private schools, universities or colleges, or in schools in other states. Statistics for such students are not available.

During the school year 1939-40, 393 elementary schools enrolled 78,394 pupils, 84 junior high schools enrolled 21,400 pupils, 76 senior high schools enrolled 37,427 pupils.

The average expenditure per child has increased from $68.28 in 1917-18, to $107.16 in 1939-40. The increase is due to greater financial assistance from several Federal agencies, with resulting improvement in buildings and plant equipment.

The total expenditures for education in 1939-40 were $13,271,591.42, including salaries which averaged $1,376.19 for the 4,608 teachers, principals, and supervisors in elementary and high schools of Utah.

For expenditures paid for vocational education and trade and industrial schools the Federal Government gave $10,000, the state $5,600.68 and local agencies $5,127.29.

During 1940 the educational survey authorized by the 1939 Legislature was completed, published, and accepted by Governor Blood. The Legislature of 1940 will consider the proposals and recommendations made by the committee, headed by Stanley Child. The most controversial subjects are further expansion of junior colleges, and establishment of a single board to control the two state universities.

Industry.

Building in Salt Lake City alone has exceeded $5,049,000 for the first time since 1929, and building throughout the state has expanded correspondingly. Utah is already preparing for the centennial celebration of 1947 which will commemorate the arrival of the Mormon pioneer settlers.

The defense program has boomed aviation in Utah. Hill Field at Ogden, Utah, has been enlarged; and the airport at Salt Lake City has been enlarged to accommodate the 7th Bombardment Squadron with its extensive equipment and personnel requirements.

Mineral Products.

The total value of Utah's leading metals in 1939, amounting to $62,385,075, was approximately 50 per cent in excess of that for 1938. Copper alone showed a 60 per cent increase, at 343,780,000 pounds with a value of $35,468,160. Lesser increases were recorded for gold, at 277,751 oz.; silver, 10,758,657 oz.; lead, 67,634 tons; and zinc, 34,526 tons. The output of natural gas, which had shown a rise of 89 per cent in 1938, continued to be noteworthy at 4,180,000 M. cu. ft., a little less than in 1938.

The new Bureau of Mines Building located in Salt Lake City has helped the tungsten and manganese and other mining interests by testing and assaying samples of deposits found in the state.

Finances.

Utah's state, county and local taxes for 1940 approached $35,000.000, including property taxes and all state special taxes. Property taxes charged for 1940 added up to $18,227,260. Special taxes for the first 11 months amounted to $15.174.737, with an estimated total for the year of about $16,500.000. The rise in special taxes was expected to be nearly $2,000,000 above the previous year, due almost entirely to improved business conditions.

A definite downward trend in the bonded indebtedness of Utah is noted. The total indebtedness of all taxing units, exclusive of state government, dropped from $30,431,000 in 1930, to $27,802,940 in 1940.

The State biennium budget proposed by the Governor for each year, 1939-41, was $7,576.546.91, increased by the Legislature to $8,439,426.49, with a $500,000 appropriation for state buildings if there should be a surplus.

The estimated budget for 1941-43 is $9,886,281,06, with an estimated revenue of $7,438.500 plus $173,883.29 left from a surplus at the beginning of 1941. The Governor-elect has not yet acted on this budget request total of the state department.

Banking.

On June 20, 1940, Utah's State Banks had total deposits of $86,815.660, and the National Banks doing business in the state had total deposits of $74,138,893; making a total of $160,959,562.

Social Welfare.

Federal appropriations for old-age assistance in Utah equaled $1,895,269.09 in 1939, and $1,690,513.42 in 1940. The State Insurance Fund for Workmen's Compensation equaled $1,239,691.51 in 1939, and $1,170,209.49 in 1940. The Unemployment Compensation Fund equaled $4,344,344.48 in 1939, and $5,344,146.65 in 1940. The Emergency Relief Fund equaled $622,335.50 in 1939, and $276,521.26 in 1940.

The Public Welfare budget for 1940 was $7,566,977.78. For 1941 the original estimate before reductions is $9,603,484.

Political Events.

The year 1940 was the first time a general election was held under the new primary law. The law provides for a regular primary and a run-off primary election four weeks apart, and leaves another five weeks between the run-off and the final election. The procedure is expensive both to the state and to individual candidates, and party organizations are hampered by the short period between the run-off primary and the final election.

At the general election a constitutional amendment, endorsed by both parties, was voted upon, whereby the Legislature is now empowered to remove the double liability of stockholders of State Banks. Since the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has been in operation, adequate protection has been given to depositors.

All elected state and Federal officers in Utah are Democratic. The state also gave its electoral votes to President Roosevelt.

State Officers.

Governor, Herbert B. Maw; Secretary of State, E. E. Monson; State Treasurer, Oliver G. Ellis; Auditor, Reese M. Reese; Attorney General, Grover A. Giles; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Charles H. Skidmore.

United States Senators:

Elbert D. Thomas, Abe Murdock.