1941: New York

Area and Population.

New York, one of the thirteen original states, ranks 29th in size among the states, with an area of 49,576 sq. mi., including 1,647 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. In population it ranks first, numbering 13,479,142 according to the 1940 census. The principal cities are New York, 7,454,995; Buffalo, 575,901; Rochester, 324,975; Syracuse, 205,967; Yonkers, 142,598; Albany, the capital, 130,577; Utica, 100,518; Schenectady, 87,549; and Binghamton, 78,309.

Agriculture.

The milk situation is still the greatest unsolved problem in the agricultural field. A milk strike of a few days duration was ended by the offer of Owen D. Young, as a dairy farmer of Van Hornesville, to attempt further negotiations to amend the Federal marketing order which fixed prices too low. As the plan now operates, fluid milk prices go up or down upon a schedule regulated by the wholesale quotations of butter. Under this system, by the time readjustment has been effected through the necessarily slow process of public hearing and producer referenda, the adjusted price itself may need further adjustment to meet further changed conditions.

Industry.

Analysis of the factory inspection records made by the former State Planning Board, now the Division of Commerce, indicates that in 1940 there were close to 47,000 manufacturing establishments in New York State, employing over 1,260,000 persons. More than 78 per cent of the manufacturing plants, employing over 56 per cent of the workers were located in the New York metropolitan district. Firms in this section averaged smaller in size than those in other areas. Clothing, printing, and food products manufacture predominated in New York City; upstate, the most important industries were the manufacture of iron and steel, electrical apparatus, and photographic apparatus.

In September 1941, the New York State Employment Service reported a registration of 384,444, which was about 23 per cent less than at the same time in 1940. However, the new registrations of that month were 151,827, compared with 63,007 placements. Benefit payments decreased by 25 per cent. The Unemployment Insurance Fund balance as of September 30, 1941, was $258,720,097, with total payments for September amounting to $3,779,069, the lowest disbursement except for April 1941.

The grants of the Federal Government for unemployment insurance are used solely to finance the administrative costs of the state agency, which amounted to $8,588,358.62 for the fiscal year ending June 1, 1941.

Mineral Products.

Production of pig iron again ranked first in value among the industrial mineral resources of New York, and reflected the widespread expansion of activity because of defense needs. The amount for 1940 was 3,206,162 tons valued at $54,150,107, compared with 2,475,450 tons in 1939 with a value of $45,275,450. Coke manufacture was also increased to 5,080,400 tons; and cement shipments totaled 8,251,038 bbl. valued at $11,687,089. Of the native minerals of the state, petroleum and stone were fairly stationary, at 4,999,000 bbl. for the former, and 9,782,120 tons for the latter. Salt, in which New York ranks second to Michigan, amounted to 2,117,671 tons valued at $6,523,775; and gypsum, in which the state ranks first, totaled 798,229 tons valued at over $1,000,000.

Education.

The consolidation of school districts was impeded this year by the problem of the cost of school building. A legislative committee was appointed to investigate this problem and as a result an amendment was made to the Education Law restricting the expenditure to $450 per pupil as a cost unit, and requiring 6 per cent of the actual value of taxable property to be contributed for the purpose by the district and the remainder by the state. If the computed building cost is exceeded the increase shall be borne by the locality alone. No new consolidations were affected in 1939-1940, the number remaining at 269.

There are still 5,670 school districts with one or two small schools, the enrollment ranging from 5 to 50. Besides these small elementary schools, the cities have 1,299 elementary school buildings, and the villages, 253. In the 1940-1941 school year the number of pupils enrolled in the elementary grades, 1-8, was 1,469,913; in the secondary grades, 8-12, 705,042. State aid for schools for 1939-1940, which was reduced 2 per cent, amounted to $112,047,478,81.

The average teacher's salary in the elementary schools is $1,500; in high schools, $2,500; these range about $1,000 higher in New York city and vicinity.

The Coudert legislative committee investigating subversive activities in the schools confined its activities to New York City. As a result of its findings several of the members of the faculty of the College of the City of New York were dismissed.

Public Finance.

The total revenue received by New York State for the fiscal year 1940-1941 was $427,309,207.31. State aid to localities for relief, education, and highways is the largest single item in the state's budget, amounting to $194,589,043.52. The second largest item, $54,857,706.78, is for the support of the 79 state institutions. Expenses for the administration of the state government were $38,863,768.79. The cost of servicing the state debt amounted to $52,210,586.49.

The State Civil Service Employees' Retirement Fund, which is administered by the Comptroller, now holds in excess of $150,000,000 of investments. With its 95,000 members, and annual receipts of $44,392,900.20, it constitutes one of the largest concerns of the kind in the United States.

State appropriations for 1941-1942 amounted to $402,813,743.37. The comptroller's report showed a surplus of $7,029,256.67 in the state treasury for 1940-1941.

Banking.

New York State banks and trust companies reported deposits at the close of business Oct. 2, 1940, at an all-time high of $12,147,000,000. Total investments also reached a new high of $5,367,000,000. Most of this rise was made up of increased holdings of government bonds. Cash was the principal asset, representing 39.7 per cent of resources which totaled $13,605,000,000.

One hundred and eighteen state banks and trust companies are authorized to conduct personal loan departments. At the close of business Dec. 31, 1939, 94 of these banks had reported average funds employed in their personal loan departments of $15,600,000 at a net return on funds employed of 4.18 per cent.

The administration of savings-bank life insurance was transferred from the insurance to the banking department in 1940 as a Savings Bank Life Insurance Fund with seven trustees. As of Nov. 30, 1940, there were outstanding insurance contracts with a face value of $11,475,925. Insurance is now issued by nine savings banks: five in New York city, and one each in Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, and Albany. In addition there are ten savings banks which act as agency banks. The average amount of the policies outstanding is approximately $800. Sixty per cent of the policies are for straight life.

Social Welfare.

In response to the cumulative effect of improved business conditions and defense activities, the volume and cost of public assistance has steadily decreased, until in June 1941 the various agencies were rendering the following reduced aid: Home relief granted, $7,532,027 to 210,314 cases; WPA had 101,919 employees earning $7,144,000; NYA employed 73,455 at $1,086,000; CCC's 7,965 employees earned $528,000; old-age assistance grants totaled $3,149,622 to 121,496 recipients; $1,528,743 was given as aid to dependent children, and $75,516 was received by 2,845 blind persons.

Legislative Matters.

The Legislature, in session from Jan. 8 to April 3, passed 1,333 bills; 378 of these were vetoed by Governor Lehman, leaving 955 new laws passed for 1941.

Among the new laws of importance the following are outstanding: Chapter 872 requires that any motorist involved in an accident resulting in personal injury, whether he is innocent or guilty, must, within 10 days, post security covering property damage to the extent of $1,000, if the accident involves property damage of $25 or more, and covering personal injuries up to $5,000 for one person and $10,000 for two or more, otherwise his license may be revoked or suspended; Chapter 625 extends to July 1, 1943, the emergency mortgage moratorium, however, Chapter 665 permits trust companies holding bonds or mortgages as fiduciaries to waive or modify, prior to April 1, 1942, any terms and conditions thereof and to extend them for not more than five years by agreement with the property owners, and Chapter 782 provides that, regardless of the extension of the moratorium, foreclosure action may be commenced unless the owner of the mortgaged premises pays at least 1 per cent annually on the unpaid principal; Chapter 695 disqualifies for unemployment benefits any employee, who, without good cause, leaves his present employment; Chapter 305 requires that the proprietor or manager of tourist cabins shall keep a register with the name, residence, date of arrival and departure of guests.

Three of the four constitutional amendments submitted to the voters at the November election were approved, namely; (1) authorizing the Legislature to construct ski trails on Whiteface mountain; (2) clarifying the provision for submitting amendments for the approval of the attorney-general; and (3) allocating $60,000,000 from the authorized grade-crossing elimination bond issue to parkway and highway construction. The other amendment, to extend the term of state senators from two to four years, was defeated.

National Defense.

The Legislature passed 55 laws pertaining to defense. Sixteen of these laws protect the civil, educational, occupational and property rights of men in service. Other laws provide for more airports, for mobilization of police forces, firemen, and health resources of the state, and for the creation of a commission to inventory transportation facilities; permit interstate compacts for conservation of oil; and provide for defense housing.

The number of men inducted into the army from New York State up to June 1, 1941, was 12,275 in the National Guard, and 78,223 draftees. The number registered for the draft was 1,719,649.

Up to July 12, 1941, there were set up 118 county and city defense councils. The State Director of Civilian Defense, Major General John F. O'Ryan, issued directions and forms for the enlistment of persons for civil defense duty.

The State Division of Commerce held several meetings, called clinics, to bring together representatives of large concerns with government contracts and small business men wishing to take subcontracts. These clinics have resulted, as of Aug. 11, 1941, in the letting of 55 contracts, with 236 more under consideration. This division has compiled an 'Industrial Directory of New York State' at the request of the Governor, giving the industrial resources of the state as a part of the defense program.

An inventory of idle plants in the state has also been completed by the inspection division of the Labor Department.

State Officers.

Governor, Herbert H. Lehman; Lieutenant Governor, Charles Poletti; Attorney-General, John J. Bennett, Jr.; Secretary of State, Michael F. Walsh; Commissioner of Education, Dr. Ernest E. Cole (to be succeeded on his retirement, July 1, 1942, by Dr. George D. Stoddard). The other elective position, that of Comptroller, is at present filled by Joseph V. O'Leary, appointed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term of Morris S. Tremaine, who died Oct. 12, 1941. A court decision based on technicalities barred the election of a new Comptroller in the November elections.

United States Senators:

Robert F. Wagner, James M. Mead.