1941: Massachusetts

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, Massachusetts ranks 44th in size among the states, with an area of 8,257 sq. mi., including 350 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. In population it ranks 8th, numbering 4,316,721, an increase of 1.6 per cent over the 1930 figure. The largest cities are Boston, the capital, 770,816; Worcester, 193,694; Springfield, 149,554; Fall River, 115,428; Cambridge, 110,879; New Bedford, 110,341; Somerville, 102,177; and Lowell, 101,389.

Education.

The school population of the state, for the year ending June 30, 1940, including children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, was 753,041.

Principals, supervisors, and teachers, in public day schools, kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high schools, on Jan. 1, 1941, numbered 25,656.

Industry.

The Division of Employment Security for the year 1941 reports a total of 88,747 placements, as against 40,532 for the previous year, an increase of 119 per cent. There was a corresponding decrease in the number of claims for unemployment compensation, varying from 46 to 50 per cent compared with the corresponding months of the previous year. For the first time the unemployment compensation trust-fund balance exceeded $100,000,000. On Oct. 31, 1941, there was a peak balance of $101,283,760.73. The increase for the year amounted to $23,582,494.60.

The Index of Industrial Activity in Massachusetts published by the State Planning Board, using the average years 1925, 1926 and 1927 as a base of 100, show a composite Index figure for January 1941 of 98.4. This Index is based upon production of shoes, cotton textiles, building construction, electric power, and industrial employment.

The tendency seems to be a leveling off at approximately 110. New orders received by Massachusetts factories show an increase varying monthly from 37 to 109 per cent.

Defense Activities.

The facilities of the Charlestown Navy Yard have been greatly increased by the acquisition of considerable waterfront property adjoining the Commonwealth Pier and the Army Base in South Boston. Over 100,000 troops have been stationed at the Army camps at Fort Devens, Camp Edwards, and the aviation camp at Chicopee, now called Westover Field. Several other defense projects are under construction. These include the enlargement of the arsenal at Hingham, and the proposed airfield at Weymouth, which will accommodate blimps.

A State Committee on Public Safety charged with the development of a program for civilian defense was appointed by Governor Saltonstall, and received an appropriation of $500,000 from the Legislature. Local committees on public safety have been organized in cities and towns throughout the state.

A further curtailment of coastwise shipping out of the port of Boston resulted from the transfer of ships to the United States Government, for use either as transports or freighters. The Merchants & Miners discontinued service from Boston to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Jacksonville and Miami; the Eastern Steamship Company also discontinued service between Boston and New York. The activities of the port of Boston, however, were greatly increased by lease-lend shipments to Great Britain.

Events of the Year.

The Massachusetts Legislature convened on Jan. 1, and remained in continuous session for ten months, the longest in its history. This was partly accounted for by the fact that for thirty-four days the Senate sat as a Court of Impeachment for the trial of the impeachment of Daniel H. Coakley, a member of the Executive Council. The trial extended from Aug. 5 to Oct. 2. The defendant was found guilty of misfeasance and malfeasance and removed from office.

During the summer Boston was host to many large conventions, including the National Education Association with 12,000 visitors, and the American Library Association with 5,000.

Boston elects a mayor every four years. In 1940 for the first time since 1914 a mayor was eligible to succeed himself. The present mayor, Maurice J. Tobin, was re-elected by 9,300 votes over his nearest opponent, former Mayor James M. Curley.

In 1898 Boston built the first subway in America, extending from Arlington and Boylston Streets to Park and Tremont Streets. At intervals it has been extended to the North Station and to Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue. During 1941 an extension was added carrying the subway out Huntington Avenue as far as the Opera House, with new stations at Mechanics Building and Symphony Hall.

Legislative Matters.

The state's fiscal year was changed from Dec. 1 to July 1, effective July 1, 1943. Coupled with this was an allotment system to control quarterly departmental spending.

A State Guard of 6,000 men was established and equipped. A new defense and commercial airport was established in Bedford to relieve the East Boston airport. The unemployment compensation law was amended to reduce from two weeks to one the waiting period before benefits begin, and the law was extended to cover employers of one or more persons. Two referenda will go on the state ballot in 1942, one for a state fund for workmen's compensation and the other to legalize dissemination of birth-control information.

Local school committees were authorized to permit school children to attend religious education classes one hour a week during school hours. Establishment of two voluntary health-insurance plans were approved. The cigarette tax, the previously increased liquor levies, and the 10 per cent surtax on incomes were continued.

A $21,700,000 bond issue program was approved, consisting of $15,000,000 for elimination of sewerage pollution in Boston Harbor, $4,700,000 for new pier facilities in Boston, and $2,000,000 for state acquisition and expansion of the East Boston airport.

Liberalization of the old-age assistance benefits was agreed upon, funds to be raised by a 3 per cent surtax on incomes and a 5 per cent tax on restaurant, hotel, and other meals costing $1,00 or more bought outside the home. The old-age assistance benefits were increased from $30 to $40, as the minimum monthly benefit for single aged persons not living with relatives. For couples not living with relatives the benefit is raised from $50 to $65. The minimum continues as at present for single persons and couples living with relatives.

Finance.

The abstract of the Bank Commissioner's report dated January 1941, shows that deposits in all Massachusetts banks, including savings banks, trust companies, cooperative banks, credit unions, but no national banks, for the year 1940, amounted to $3,130,616,443.78, a net increase of $52,473,590.05 over 1939.

The latest report of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 1940, shows the net direct debt to be $23,168,898.72 (a decrease for the year, of $8,197,191.41). The net contingent debt for the same period was $63,086,531.55 (a decrease for the year, of $383,340,86).

State Officers.

Governor, Leverett Saltonstall: Lieutenant-Governor, Horace T. Cahill; Secretary of State, Frederic W. Cook; Treasurer, William E. Hurley; Auditor, Thomas J. Buckley; Attorney-General, Robert T. Bushnell; Commissioner of Education, Walter F. Downey.

United States Senators:

David I. Walsh, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.