1942: Connecticut

Area and Population.

With a land area of 4,889 sq. mi., Connecticut ranks forty-sixth in size among the states in the Union, while its population of 1,709,242 (1940) ranks it thirty-first in that regard. The capital is Hartford, with a population of 166,267; other important cities in order of size are New Haven, 160,605; Bridgeport, 147,121; Waterbury, 99,314; New Britain, 68,685; and Stamford, 47,983. Since the 1940 census the population of the state has increased markedly, especially in the industrial centers. Of the population in 1940, 1,675,407 were whites; 32,992 Negroes; 1,347,466 native-born; 327,941 foreign-born. Italy, Poland, Canada, and Ireland (Eire), in that order, provided the greater number of the foreign-born.

Education.

In 1941—42 the school system of the state employed 11,740 teachers, receiving total salaries of $20,245,816. The average salary in the elementary schools is $1,640; in senior high schools, $2,122. Current expenses, including salaries, were $29,776,009. The enrolment in the kindergarten and elementary schools was 183,909; in junior high schools, 21,732; in senior high schools, 84,546, making a total of 290,187. The elementary schools number 866; junior high, 39; senior high, 84. There are also four state teachers colleges, and the University of Connecticut located at Storrs. In addition to various other vocational schools and classes there are eleven trade schools with a registration of 10,544 pupils, of whom 4,550 are full time. The Department of Education assisted in 1942 in establishing pre-induction courses and courses in pre-flight aeronautics in high schools, in addition to promoting other programs of defense activities of an educational sort. In view of the wartime labor shortage in the state, many older pupils are working at part-time jobs in addition to pursuing their school work.

Agriculture.

In Connecticut agriculture is limited and specialized. Dairying is the most important activity, followed by poultry raising, gardening, fruit growing, and tobacco. The total value of products marketed in 1941 was $67,299,000, of which dairy products accounted for $22,682,000 and tobacco for $8,154,000. These figures are distinctly in excess of those for the preceding three years. In 1942 the conditions of production were excellent and marketing conditions very favorable, except for garden products. Severe shortage of help and the high cost of feed threaten to limit production in the immediate future, though marketing conditions promise to remain favorable.

Industry.

In the last three years the industrial life of Connecticut has undergone a radical change and an enormous development because of demands made for national defense and the war. The census for 1939 showed 2,936 manufacturing establishments in the state with 233,525 wage earners who were paid $276,274,243, and turned out products valued at $1,229,585,773. By the autumn of 1942 the number of factories had increased to approximately 3,350, and the number of employees to nearly 500,000, producing an annual output valued at about $2,000,000,000. Practically all the larger manufacturing establishments and many of the smaller ones are given over entirely or nearly so to war production. The index of general business activity in the state stood at 10 per cent above normal in June 1940, 72 per cent above a year later, and had risen to 93 per cent above in June 1942.

This extraordinary development has brought into the state a large number of additional workers and their families. To provide for them, more than 11,000 defense dwelling units have already been erected and many more are under construction. Provision of additional factory space has also been necessary, so that the total of new construction in 1941 and in 1942 was above the combined totals for the years 1939 and 1940. For the period from June 1940 to April 1942, on a per capita basis Connecticut ranked first among the states of the Union in volume of supply and facilities contracts awarded by the army, navy, and maritime commission. The outlook is that Connecticut will need at least 75,000 additional factory workers in 1943. Among the leading articles produced are airplanes, airplane engines, airplane parts, submarines, ammunition, machine tools, and gauges. No less significant, however, is the vast range of other articles produced in lesser quantities.

Legislation.

As the Connecticut General Assembly meets biennially, it held no session in 1942, except a very brief special one to effect a necessary correction in the election laws. The state administration, the various local government units, and numerous unofficial organizations have been alert and active throughout the year in all matters associated with the war program. The wartime situation, with the resulting large influx of new residents, has alleviated many economic and social difficulties arising from the recent depression, but on the other hand it has produced some new problems, notably the serious depletion of the staffs of hospitals and other custodial institutions.

Finance.

The finances of the state in 1942 were in excellent condition. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1942, the state income was $96,672,228 while the net expenditures for all purposes amounted to only $71,277,045. As of June 30, 1942, the state's bonded debt amounted to $30,213,000, partly offset by $10,681,026 in the retirement fund. This represents a considerable reduction in the last fiscal year, and stated provisions require the payment annually of considerable amounts on the debt. Expenditures in the last fiscal year were distributed as follows: general fund $28,683,356; highways and bridges $27,076,440; old-age assistance $6,632,804; unemployment compensation $4,083,160. The budget for the year 1942-43 indicates less expenditure from the highway fund and somewhat larger expenditure from the other funds. The decline in expenditure for relief is indicated by the figures for June 1942, when the following payments were made: $190,734 for WPA, $208,036 for town charges, $94,201 for state charges, $516,501 for old-age assistance, $95,972 for aid to dependent children, and $5,267 for relief of the blind.

The 72 mutual savings banks in the state as of Sept. 30, 1942, had increased their total deposits to $787,742,241 on 1,017,581 accounts. The assets of 64 state banks and trust companies had risen to $503,124,727, and of the 52 national banks to $480,374,000. One of the leading lines of business in Connecticut is insurance. Several large companies dealing in life, fire, and casualty insurance have their headquarters in the state, notably in Hartford, and they write a large proportion of such types of insurance for the country.

State Officers.

Governor, Raymond E. Baldwin; Lieutenant Governor, William L. Hadden; Secretary of State, Frances B. Redick; Treasurer, Carl Sharpe; Comptroller, Fred R. Zeller; Attorney General, Francis A. Pallotti; Commissioner of Education, Alonzo G. Grace.

United States Senators:

John A. Danaher, Francis T. Maloney.