1941: Delaware

Area and Population.

Delaware, one of the thirteen original states, ranks 47th in size among the states, with an area of 2,057 sq. mi., including 79 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. In population it ranks 46th, numbering 266,505 according to the 1940 census, 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; Neward, 4,502; New Castle, 4,414; Milford, 4,214. The Negro population is 35,876.

Education.

The state has a free public-school system, under the direction of a State Board of Education composed of six members appointed by the Governor. As provided in the State Constitution, separate schools are maintained for white and for Negro children. In 1940-41, there were 43,948 persons between the ages of 5 and 20 attending school. The 196 elementary schools had 863 teachers, with 25,992 pupils enrolled, and the 33 high schools had 810 teachers, with 17,956 pupils. The total expenditure for public schools was $4,907,133. The average salary for elementary teachers was $1,492, and for high school teachers, $1,766.

A most significant change in the Delaware system, which went into effect as of July 1, 1941, is a new method of financing public education. The progress of Delaware schools since 1919 was made possible by the plan put into effect by the 1921 Legislature, whereby the income from certain sources was definitely set aside for the support of schools. This former plan of financing took the burden of school support from real property, and put it principally upon income and franchise taxes. As a result of this, no school tax has been assessed since 1929 upon real property for the current maintenance of the schools. A school-building program involving the appropriation of state funds amounting to $12,717,385.92 was made possible, and an increase of state appropriations, from $2,200,000 a year in 1921-22 to $4,000,000 a year in 1940-41, was likewise made possible, all of this without additional burden upon Delaware taxpayers.

What the new method of financing will mean to the subsequent development of public education in Delaware remains to be seen. The method of distribution of state funds used in making the appropriations for the biennium beginning July 1, 1941, whereby definite amounts are allotted for definite items in each individual budget for each school having a separate board of school trustees or board of education, is open to serious question, inasmuch as pupil enrollment in the various schools is eliminated as a definite basis for such distribution.

The division of vocational education is taking an active part in the National Defense Program. In accordance with the National Defense Training Program in November, 1941, 51 classes had been organized in Programs 1, 4, and 5. Program 1, for Trades and Industries, consists of preparatory training, with supplementary training for men already employed, mainly in shipbuilding, aircraft, and chemicals. There are 35 such classes, with about 500 persons enrolled. Program 4, for Out-of-School Youth between the ages of 17 and 25, especially rural youth, is designed to create a reservoir of trained youth for defense industries and to increase the skill of farm workers. Six classes, with an enrollment of about 125, have been started in elementary electricity, woodworking, machine work and auto mechanics, Program 5 is related to training under vocational authorities for N.Y.A. Project workers. There are 10 of these classes with about 200 students.

Agriculture.

Agriculture is the most important industry in Delaware, with the farms in the state numbering 8,994, a decrease of 7.35 per cent since the 1930 census. The farms cover a total area of 895,507 a., of which 569,583 a. are available for crops.

Sussex County, the southernmost county, is the largest broiler-producing county in the United States. The value of poultry in the state is estimated to equal the value of all other farm commodities combined. Poultry blood-testing work and disease control have increased, about 325,000 blood tests having been made during 1941.

Federal-State inspection of peaches, tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupes, early and late apples, has been organized for certifying as to the grade of the products, and for the purpose of promoting a more amicable relationship between seller and buyer.

An Act relating to the marketing of eggs was passed by the 1941 General Assembly which makes it unlawful to sell any eggs that are unfit for human consumption, or to represent as fresh or new-laid those which no longer are. An amendment was made to the apple law, in reference to shipment of closed packages of apples which makes marking the grade of the apple optional with the grower. An Act was passed providing for the establishment of an Agricultural Research Sub-Station for Lower Delaware.

Industry.

The Pusey and Jones Co., of Wilmington, has developed rapidly during the past year in shipbuilding for defense. The American Car and Foundry Co. has come to the fore in producing boats. The Bethlehem Steel Co. has increased its production of machinery, and the leather companies have forged ahead. The Vinyard Shipbuilding Co. at Milford has also taken an important part in defense production. The Nylon Plant at Seaford has continued its rapid output.

The Industrial Department of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has announced the construction of a new manufacturing plant for cereals by the Ralston Purina Company. It is to be completed by the summer of 1942.

On Nov. 30, 1941, the total acreage of state forest lands under the administration of the State Forestry Department was 4.096 a. The first unit in New Castle County was secured this year, consisting of Blackbird Forest covering 672 a. A new forest fire lookout tower 120 feet tall has been erected about 1 miles north of Smyrna, with superior equipment and several improved features.

Legislation.

The 'Fair Trade Act,' which was passed by the 1941 Legislature, was an Act which attracted much attention during the session. This is an Act to protect trademark owners, producers, distributors and the general public against injurious and uneconomic practices in the distribution of competitive commodities bearing a distinguishing trademark, brand or name.

An important change was made in the motor-vehicle laws when the method and time of registration and inspection of motor vehicles was changed by providing for registration plates and permanent number plates. An Act was passed providing for the registration of professional engineers and land surveyors in the state. Delaware's Sunday blue laws, which had existed for 200 years, were repealed by the 1941 Legislature.

Political and Other Events.

On Jan. 21, 1941, Walter W. Bacon was inaugurated as Governor. The 1941 Legislature provided for the creation of a Delaware State Guard. In accordance with this Act three infantry companies have been formed, with Company A at Wilmington, Company B at Dover, and Company C at Milford.

Another Act which might be considered a defense measure was passed to regulate the manufacture, sale, distribution, use and possession of explosives.

An Act relating to national and state defense provides for the establishment of a State Council of Defense, and for local and district Councils of Defense. This Defense Council is functioning, and much has been done relative to medical surveys of physicians, hospitals and nurses in the state; vocational training for defense Industries; surveys of industrial plants showing number and types of all machinery and productive capacity and wage rates; organization of 69 airplane observation spotting posts with a personnel of about 1400; checking on fire-fighting equipment available, and all equipment owned or in control of the police units of the state.

Delaware's two National Guard Units have been mustered into Federal Service. They are the 198th Coast Artillery, anti-aircraft; and the 261st Coast Artillery, for harbor defense. The three Government military posts located in Delaware are Fort DuPont, Fort Saulsbury, and Fort Miles (also naval). Airports are being constructed in the 3 counties in accordance with the National Defense Act.

The St. George's bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, which has been under construction, is to be completed in 1942.

Finances.

For the year ending June 30, 1941, the receipts and disbursements (excluding sinking fund) of the state were:

On June 30, 1941, the state debt was $4,195,000.00.

Relief expenditures from state funds from July 1, 1940 to June 30, 1941, were $187,432.31; unemployment benefits, $649,188.00; old-age pensions paid by state (pensions, $171,340.25; burials, $920.00), totalling $172,260.25; mothers' pensions paid by the state, $59,913.87.

Banking.

On June 30, 1941, Delaware had 15 licensed National Banks with deposits of $19,916,903.44; loans of $9,175,410.15; and investments of $8,188,304.46; and 30 licensed State Banks and Trust Companies with deposits of $250,244,519.23; loans of $75,159,453.15, and investments of $121,662,743.98.

State Officers.

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

United States Senators:

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