1941: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, New Hampshire is sometimes referred to as the 'Granite State.' It ranks 43rd among the states, with an area of 9,304 sq mi., including 280 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. The population, according to that census, was 491,524, representing an increase of 26,231, or 5.6 per cent over that of 1930. The principal cities are Manchester, 77,685; Nashua, 32,927; Concord, the capital, 27,171; Berlin, 19,084; Dover, 14,990; and Portsmouth, 14,821. The urban population includes 283,225, or 57.6 per cent of the total. During the decade from 1930 to 1940, the rural population of New Hampshire grew more rapidly than that of the urban areas, thus reversing a trend which had existed from 1820 to 1930. Of the white population in 1930, 381,690 were American-born, while 82,660 were of foreign birth.

Education.

For the year ending June 30, 1938, there were 76,390 children registered in the public schools of New Hampshire. This represented 54,867 elementary pupils, 20,304 high-school pupils, and 1,219 evening school pupils. The most recent figures available show that there are in New Hampshire some 1,941 public schools, including 103 approved public high schools, 16 public academies approved as high schools, 5 accredited private academies, 612 private schools and two teachers' colleges, located at Plymouth and Keene, respectively.

Total state expenditures for public education for the year ending June 30, 1939, were $8,547,642. In secondary schools, the average teacher's salary for the years 1937-1938 was for men, $1,919 and for women, $1,418; in elementary schools the average for men was $1,413, and for women, $1,094. There were at that time 2,120 elementary teachers and 837 high-school teachers. There were 32,950 pupils enrolled in private schools, which included 20,959 in parochial schools, a figure which probably represents as large a proportion as is to be found in any state.

Agriculture.

New Hampshire's principal farm products are milk and cream, potatoes, apples, and live poultry, marketed principally in cities of eastern and central Massachusetts and New York City. Maple sirup, maple sugar, and hay, are also important items. In 1940 New Hampshire farms numbered 16,554, aggregating 1,809,314 A., the average acreage per farm being 109.3. Of the total land in farms, 590,375 A. were available for crops, and 860,113 were woodland, leaving 358,826 A. of other land. The average value of farm land, per acre, was $34.38. During 1941, New Hampshire agriculture faced serious problems arising from drought, and a scarcity of farm labor, resulting in part from the competition of defense industry.

Industry.

The industries of New Hampshire are characterized by diversity and by the relatively large number of small plants. The principal products are textiles, boots and shoes, paper and wood pulp, a variety of other wood products, and machinery. The value of manufactures in 1939 was estimated at $237,396,015. The wholesale trade of New Hampshire in 1939 amounted to $64,263,000, an increase of 18.9 per cent over 1935, and 4.6 per cent over 1929. Electric power produced in 1939, in kilowatt hours equaled: water power, 609,000,000; steam, 119,000,000; internal combustion, 1,000,000.

The recreational resources of New Hampshire, including summer resorts and camps, winter sports, etc., are of steadily increasing importance. In 1939 the state produced minerals to the value of $1,187,339. Important items were clay products, feldspar, mica, sand and gravel, and stone.

Legislation.

The General Court was convened for its 163rd session from January 1 to June 13, 1941. Important defense legislation included an act creating a State Council of Defense, with a system of advisory and local committees; an anti-sabotage act; a law for the regulation of the sale and handling of explosives; and an act establishing a State Guard to ensure local military defense in the absence of the National Guard. A capital budget act was passed, carrying an appropriation of $216,000 for new construction and permanent improvement of state buildings. As a result of disastrous forest fires, a bill was enacted to ensure more adequate fire protection, and authorizing the state to share with the localities involved the cost of such protection. Laws were also passed barring damage suits for breach of promise to marry; and abolishing the two per cent capital stock tax on domestic insurance firms.

In accordance with an act of the General Court, the state Constitutional Convention which had met in 1938 was reconvened on September 23, 1941, to consider the possibility of reducing the membership of the House of Representatives. This already stood at 423, and would be subject to increase in accordance with the 1940 population statistics. The Convention adopted a proposal designed to effect a reduction of approximately 60 seats in the House. The measure will be submitted to the people at the regular state election in 1942 and will require a two-thirds vote for passage. In the meantime there will be at least a temporary increase in the membership of the House.

Defense.

Because of defense needs, there was unusual activity in the field of aviation during the past year. The army air base at Manchester is one of three major bases being developed in New England, while a number of auxiliary bases are being constructed at various points within the state.

Banking and Finance.

New Hampshire's forty-three savings banks and eight savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $207,095,202, as of June 30, 1941, representing an increase over June 30, 1940, of $1,515,722. For the fifth consecutive year there was an increase in the number of savings accounts, the total of 318,313 on June 30, 1941, being 3,913 greater than that for June 30, 1940. There were, in 1941, twenty-six building and loan associations with resources of $13,112,451.59, an increase of $568,884 over the preceding year. Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940, were $39,575,339.71; cash disbursements $39,111,037.32; cash balance, $1,244,916.50. The total net bonded debt and temporary loans, amounted on June 29, 1940, to $10,627,438.97.

The state's relief load dropped 14 per cent in the first three months of 1941, as announced by the State Department of Public Welfare. In March, 1941, there were 26,973 persons on direct relief, the total cost amounting to $217,222.

State Officers.

Governor, Robert O. Blood; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Adjutant General, Charles F. Bowen; Attorney General, Frank R. Kenison; Commissioner of Education, James M. Pringle.

United States Senators:

H. Styles Bridges, Charles W. Tobey.