1942: Delaware

Area and Population.

Delaware, next in size to the smallest state in the Union, has a land area of 1,965 sq. mi. and 405 sq. mi. of inland water surface. It reaches only 95 mi. from the northernmost point to the southernmost, and 35 mi. across at the widest part, the southern section of the state. According to the 1940 census the population of the state was 266,505, an increase of 11.8 per cent over that of 1930. Wilmington, the largest city, has a population of 112,504; Dover, the capital, 5,517; Newark, 4,502; New Castle, 4,414; Milford, 4,214. The Negro population is 35,876, while citizens listed under 'other races,' including mainly Indians, Chinese, and Japanese, number 98 in New Castle County, 2 in Kent County, and only 1 for Sussex County. There are just 3 counties in the state.

Education.

In 1941-42, 43,098 persons between the ages of 5 and 20 were attending school. The 152 elementary schools had 25,723 pupils enrolled, and the 44 high schools, 17,375. The state expenditure for public schools was $4,530,990.97. The average of teachers' salaries in elementary schools was $1,518, and in high schools $1,772.

The loss of qualified teachers to the armed forces and war industries is seriously threatening to impair efficiency in the Delaware public schools. An effort is being made to increase the present salaries of teachers and other school employees, to meet in some measure the rising cost of living. The teachers have given much of their time, and have rendered valuable service, in registering the men of Delaware for Selective Service, rationing sugar and gasoline, taking first-aid courses, and arranging for air-raid drills and evacuations in the schools in case of attack.

Agriculture.

Agriculture is the most important industry in Delaware. The average increase in agricultural products in 1942 was from 10 to 15 per cent above 1941. The total acreage in Delaware for canning crops in 1942 was 35,320 acres in comparison with 31,340 acres in 1941. In direct contrast, the acreage planted for market crops was reduced by 1,000 acres. In 1942, there was an increase in the canned pack of asparagus, tomatoes, corn, and string beans, while the pack of peas was reduced because of a decrease in production, and the canning of squash and pumpkin was reduced because of a decrease in the allotment of tin.

In 1942 the number of acres of grain planted were as follows: corn, 137,000; wheat, 61,000; and hay, 69,000. At government request, there was an increase in the production of soy beans, from 53,000 a. in 1941 to 66,000 a. in 1942. The production of apples was also increased in 1942, while there was a reduction in peaches, caused by a severe frost in Sussex County.

Sussex County, the southernmost county, is the largest broiler-producing county in the United States. The value of poultry in the state is estimated to more than equal the value of all other farm commodities. The estimated number of broilers produced throughout the state was 50,000,000 for 1942. The largest chicken-canning plant in the world, located at Dover, cans about 4,500,000 chickens annually.

The most serious agricultural problems are lack of farm labor, brought about by the shift to defense industries, and Selective Service, and a transportation shortage because a large part of the farm commodities are ordinarily moved by truck.

Industry.

The war has affected industrial plants in Delaware, inasmuch as there are 83 industries in the state engaged in war production. Included in this number are 6 ship-building plants, an airplane manufacturing plant, chemical plants, nylon and rayon plants, the manufacture of synthetic rubber, cotton goods, machinery, leather, vulcanized fiber, steel, plumbing fixtures, clothing, and textiles.

In Delaware are located the headquarters of the great chemical companies — DuPont, Atlas, and Hercules, and the enormous experimental laboratories of these companies are bending every effort to develop new products helpful in the war effort.

The survey of employment for the Wilmington industrial area, made by the Chamber of Commerce, shows 60,442 persons engaged in manufacturing and distribution on Aug. 15, 1942, as compared with 53,545 on the same date in 1941. It is estimated that at the peak of war production in this area employment will reach between 70,000 and 75,000.

Political and Other Events.

Col. William J. Storey, who has served as deputy Attorney-General for Kent County since July 8, 1933, was appointed by Governor Bacon in 1942 to the office of Secretary of State to succeed Earle D. Willey, recently elected Representative in Congress from Delaware. Col. Storey assumed his duties on Jan. 1, 1943.

Although Delaware has a small population in comparison with the other states, it is well to the fore in war activities. More than 100,000 of its citizens have volunteered and are participating in some phase of civilian defense. The state stands high in per capita sales of War Bonds and collection of salvage. The coming into the state of great numbers of workers required by war industry has caused the housing situation to become serious.

Three airports built by local communities, and one private airport, have been taken over by the Army for air activities. These are the New Castle County Airport, now occupied by the First Ferry Command; the Dover Airport, now occupied by bombing and fighter commands; the Rehoboth Airport, now occupied by the civil air patrol; and the DuPont Airport used by the Ferry Command for training purposes. Delaware has three army posts: Fort DuPont, Fort Saulsbury, and Fort Miles.

Finance.

The result of operation of state finances during the past fiscal year, July 1, 1941, to July 1, 1942, showed an increase in the state's surplus of $1,683,894.99. The general fund revenue was increased over the anticipated amount by $783,214.14, due mainly to an increase in liquor and beer taxes, racetrack revenue, income tax, franchise tax, and gasoline tax.

On June 30, 1942, the state debt was $5,174,000.00.

Relief expenditures from state funds from July 1, 1941, to June 30, 1942, were $136,603.57; unemployment benefits, $605,437.50; old-age pensions, $177,853.94; mothers' pensions, $57,902.86.

Banking.

On June 30, 1942, Delaware had 14 licensed national banks with deposits of $21,839,587.57, loans of $8,841,373.51, and investments of $10,081,537.59; and 30 licensed state banks and trust companies with deposits of $254,699,155.04, loans of $74,608,619.20, and investments of $150,636,699.74.

State Officers.

Governor, Walter W. Bacon; Lieutenant Governor, Isaac J. MacCollum; Secretary of State, William J. Storey; Treasurer, John S. Isaacs; Auditor, J. Morris Harrington; Attorney-General, Clair J. Killoran; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Harry V. Holloway.

United States Senators:

James H. Hughes, James M. Tunnell, Sr.