1942: Florida

Area and Population.

Florida is in its 98th year of statehood, as she was admitted to the Union on Mar. 3, 1845. It is twenty-first in size, with an area of 58,666 sq. mi., and, according to the 1940 census, twenty-seventh in population. This was an increase of 29.2 per cent during the previous ten years, ranking Florida second in the United States for rate of increase. In the years 1940-42, the state increased by 60,895, making its present estimated population 1,949,086. Of the fifty-two counties which had increased in population in 1940, Gulf county had the largest growth, 118.4 per cent. The greatest increase for any city in Florida 1930-40, was Miami Beach, 331.4 per cent, with a population of 28,012.

Florida has three metropolitan districts, including Jacksonville, 195,619; Tampa-St. Petersburg, 209,693; and Miami, 250,537. All three districts have grown in population since the recent development of defense areas, but the exact figures are not available. The capital of Florida is Tallahassee, with a population of 16,097.

Of Florida's population, 73 per cent are whites, and predominantly of American stock. The largest foreign groups come from Great Britain, Germany, Canada, and Italy. Interesting foreign centers are the Hispanic groups living in Tampa and Miami, and the Greek sponge divers of Tarpon Springs. In 1940, the labor force of the state comprised 54.3 per cent of the total population. War production has increased employment in Florida. For the first six months of 1942, there was a 10 per cent increase over 1941 in employment in manufacturing plants and a 5 per cent increase in non-agricultural employment. Compared with the whole country, employment has risen 2.3 per cent, the national figure for increase being 6.7 per cent.

Agriculture.

In 1940, Florida had 8,337,708 acres in farm cultivation, valued at $324,377,874, and producing a gross income of $130,000,000. One of the most startling results of the war has been the increase in farm profits. During the first eight months of 1942, farm income increased 45 per cent and the income from the cattle industry, 51 per cent. These figures will doubtless be surpassed in 1943, as the government has enlarged its demands for agricultural products.

Industry.

Among the important industrial products of Florida are naval stores, lumber, paper, cigars, and sponges. Tarpon Springs is the largest sponge center in the world. Canning, meat packing, and fishing — including the shipping of shrimps and oysters — are also leading occupations.

One of the major adjustments of the war has occurred in industry and business. War contracts amounting to $716,523,000 have been allocated to Florida since June 1940. Only 5 per cent of these is for plant expansion; the rest is for non-industrial facilities, such as bases, camps, etc., and for ship construction. Not all of the state's manufacturers are profiting by war contracts. It is estimated that 1,200 plants will close unless they are aided by the Smaller War Plants Corporation to obtain war contracts, or are given permission to produce essential civilian goods.

Building construction for the first six months of 1942 was 221 per cent greater than during the same period of 1941. Of these contracts 93 per cent were for public construction. Private building has all but disappeared. The military have replaced the tourists in Florida. The latter industry dropped 50 per cent in 1942. The military stay all through the year, which has leveled off Florida's seasonal business. Retail business has fallen off 10 per cent, in spite of the fact that the national average has risen 5 per cent. It is estimated that 5,000 retailers will be forced to close in 1943. Food, drugs, clothing, etc., have shown increased sales; the drop has come in durables such as hardware, furniture, appliances, automobiles and their accessories. The increased cost of living in Florida is 4 per cent higher than the national increase.

Education.

Florida has 401,307 children enrolled in school from kindergarten through the twelve grades. Of these, 295,312 are whites and 105,995, Negroes.

The average salary for white common-school teachers was $1,202.25, for 1940-41; and $1,278.37, for 1941-42. For the Negro teachers, the average salary in 1940-41 was $605.21; in 1941-42, $666.04. The state appropriated the following sums for the Teachers' Salary Fund: in 1940-41, $12,467,700.54; in 1941-42, $12,792,334.00; State appropriations for the schools are based on the $800 per teacher and transportation unit. Support of the common schools is the largest expenditure of the state and represents over half of the total school funds.

Social Welfare.

The state provides for the administration of the Social Welfare Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Expenditures for social welfare amount to about $4,000,000. Unemployment insurance is self-sustaining. There is also a retirement program for teachers in the public schools and state colleges.

Finance.

Florida was in a very bad financial situation until several reforms were made by the state Legislature of 1941. All taxable personal property is now placed on the tax rolls at full value and strict penalties are attached to failures to report personal property. Homes up to $5,000 are exempted from taxation, except that levied for bonded debt. Florida has no income tax nor sales tax, and no ad valorem tax on real estate for state purposes. A bonded state debt is prohibited by the Constitution. An amendment to the Constitution in 1942 provided for the repayment of county road bonds through state administration. Since Florida depends so heavily on automobile license charges and the gasoline tax, its revenue has been seriously affected by the war. There has been a large decrease in the number of license tags bought, and the gasoline sales for the first six months of 1942 have fallen from 20 to 30 per cent. The beverage tax, however, has increased over 50 per cent, which has been a help. Towns in Florida are suffering from the loss of retail sales, as they have depended largely on such business for municipal revenues.

Events of the Year.

The important event of the year has been the increase of military establishments in the state. Since this country is at war, it is no longer possible to give information concerning such establishments, but it may be said that they are increasing rapidly. Along both Atlantic and Gulf coasts there are many bases, and the inland regions are dotted with camps and airfields. Several hundred thousand young men are being trained in Florida for all branches of the service. Florida has been generous in all war efforts. The state has raised $341,897 for the USO; more than 50,000 tons of scrap have been collected; the purchase of war bonds and stamps had exceeded $105,000,000 by October 1, 1942; 74,000 citizens are, or have been, enrolled in defense training and war vocations; and an estimated 100,000 Florida men are in the armed services.

State Officers.

Governor, Spessard Lindsay Holland; Secretary of State, Robert Andrews Gray; Attorney General, J. Tom Watson; Comptroller, James Martin Lee; Treasurer, J. Edwin Larson; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Colin English.

United States Senators:

Claude Pepper, Charles C. Andrews.