1941: Maine

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1820, Maine ranks 38th in size among the states, with an area of 33,215 sq. mi., including 2,175 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. It ranks 35th in population numbering 847,226 according to the 1940 census. The largest cities are Portland, 73,643; Lewiston, 38,598; Bangor, 29,822; Auburn, 19,817; Biddeford, 19,790; and Augusta, the capital, 19,360.

Agriculture.

Maine agriculture fared better in 1941 than for many years. The potato and apple crops were larger than in preceding years, and better prices prevailed. The dairy and poultry outlook is good, as the production has been stepped up by reason of the lend-lease program.

Potato production for 1941 was 45,360,000 as compared with 44,055,000 bu. in 1940, and a ten-year average of 44,016,000 bu. The prices received by producers were larger than in recent years. Maine's business in certified seed potatoes is constantly increasing, 21,854 A., being so planted in 1941. Maine's apple production for 1941 was 787,000 bu. as compared with a production of 651,000 bu. in 1940. The prices to the apple growers were larger than for years.

Industry.

Business activity in Maine in 1941 was pronounced, due to defense measures and government orders in addition to usual business. Maine's paper and pulp mills were running to full capacity and the lumber industry showed distinct improvement for 1941. In boots and shoes the production for women and children was about normal, but much increased for men's shoes, due to Government contracts which caused many shops to run at capacity. Great impetus was given the Maine textile industry during the year, with many of the mills running three shifts. Maine was very free from labor troubles, nor was scarcity of labor noted, except in November and December in forest employment.

Education.

Maine continues to give improved scholastic advantages to the boys and girls of the state, due to increased legislative appropriations. In 1940 the number of inhabitants of school age, from five to twenty-one, was 253,254. There were 4,150 elementary or common schools; 216 high schools; and a total enrollment of 179,676.

Legislative Matters.

New laws enacted by the Maine Legislature at its session adjourned April 26, 1941, became operative July 25, or ninety days after adjournment, with the exception of emergency legislation, and of legislation proposing an increase of one-half cent a gallon on the state tax on gasoline, extending the tariff to four and one-half cents. The gas-tax legislation was held up by a referendum petition recorded by 15,273 voters, and finally defeated on Dec. 10, by an approximately 5-1 vote.

A companion law, effective March 1, 1942, unless the voters reject the gas-tax increase, provides that the state shall take over from municipalities the expense of certain highway maintenance and snow removal. A considerable assistance to the revenues of the state has resulted from the tax of two cents a package on cigarette sales, enacted by the law-makers. Operative in July, a revenue of $888,000 was collected in the first five months of operation.

Included in laws passed in connection with national defense were the establishment of a Maine State Guard to serve in the absence of National Guardsmen: a sabotage law to prevent interference with defense industries; exemption from poll-tax payments by persons who have been for six months members of the United States armed forces; increase of the state debt limit by $2,000,000, the amount of a bond issue for military bridges.

Another bond issue for $450,000 was authorized to expand the campaign for eradication of Bang's Disease. Legislation was enacted to permit new trials in criminal cases, based on newly-discovered evidence, if requests are filed within two years after judgment.

A bill backed by the State Grange to permit organization of rural electrification cooperatives was enacted, as was also a revision of the potato tax law, under which a cent a barrel is paid. By the revision, 25 per cent of the tax receipts shall be spent in research, a similar percentage in advertising, and 50 per cent shall be used by the Maine Development Commission in the interests of the potato industry.

A pre-marital law, providing for medical examination, was also enacted by the Legislature. Authorization for a turnpike highway extending across the state, from Kittery to Fort Kent, was given, construction to begin if and when necessary funds are made available.

Defense Activities.

Maine, recognized as a state of strategic importance, was the scene of great defense activity during 1940. Efforts were made in two general directions, air and naval. Today Maine is dotted with airports, all along the coast from York County to Washington County, and on interior lines also. The Augusta airport is the only state-owned port, the others being sponsored by municipalities with the assistance of Federal and state funds.

Under the first plans airports were established at Presque Isle, Houlton, Millinocket, Bangor, Princeton, and Lewiston-Auburn. These have been completed and turned over to the military authorities. The other airports, later authorized, are in various stages of construction. Their locations are Augusta, Portland, Waterville, Brunswick, Caribou, Sanford, Dexter, Belfast, Old Town, Pittsfield, Bar Harbor, Greenville, Eastport and Rockland. Other locations have been approved, but construction has not been begun. The Presque Isle airport is one of the largest in the country. All the plans call for runways of a minimum of 4,500 feet.

The State Defense Commission has constructed armories at Brunswick, Belfast, South Portland, and Norway, and turned them over to the Adjutant General's Department. Others at Saco, Portland, Rumford, Newport, and South Brewer are near completion. Funds are set aside for armory construction at Presque Isle and Houlton.

Shipbuilding, long stagnant in Maine, has taken on a new activity with naval ship construction at the Bath Iron Works, and a large building program at the new South Portland yards where much of the construction is for the British Government. There are small shipyards in operation in many ports.

Civilian defense plans have been carefully prepared. Maine is ranked second in this activity.

Finance.

The net revenue of the state for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, was $40,005,306.30; and the net expenditure was $38,472,761.43. Monies available, including legislative appropriations, and expenditures of a few of the larger state departments were: banking, $74,568, expended $58,586.93; unemployment compensation, $8,307,663.23, expended $2,962,940.71; highways and bridges, $14,247,178.92, expended $9,069,977.67; and welfare, charities, etc., $7,581,883.18, expended $7,094,733.42.

State Officers.

Governor, Sumner Sewall; Secretary of State, Frederick Robic; Controller, Julian A. Mossman; Treasurer, Belmont A. Smith; Auditor, William D. Hayes; Attorney General, Frank I. Cowan; Commissioner of Education, Harry V. Gilson.

United States Senators:

Wallace H. White, Ralph O. Brewster.