1942: Nevada

Area and Population.

Originally a part of Utah Territory, Nevada was carved from it in 1861 as a territory and became a full-fledged state in 1864. The area of 110,540 sq. mi. includes 738 sq. mi. of inland water surface. The population is 110,247 (1940 census). Thus this western state, greater in area than all of New England has a population less than Peoria, Illinois. The capital is Carson City (2,478), the smallest capital city in the United States. The state's largest cities are Reno (21,317); Las Vegas (8,927); and Sparks (5,918). There are 10,599 foreign-born residents in Nevada and, according to the January 1943 census release, this total includes 2,258 native-born Italians; 733 native-born Germans; and 147 natives of Finland. From England came 755 and from far-off Australia 40.

Education.

On Jan. 1, 1943, the total number of inhabitants of school age numbered 27,105, including 1,106 kindergarten pupils. The number of elementary schools was 247, with 19,702 pupils. High schools numbered 40 with 6,290 pupils.

The expenditures for public schools during the 1941-42 period totalled $1,314,640.05, not including county and Federal assistance. The average salary paid in 1942 to Nevada elementary teachers was $1,460, and high school teachers averaged $1,900. In the fall of 1942 increased population in the Reno, Hawthorne, and Las Vegas areas, caused by war industries, necessitated the granting of Federal aid to the schools of these sections and threw a great strain on their facilities. Training courses to assist in the war effort were featured in many schools.

Agriculture.

Livestock raising is the principal industry of Nevada's farmers, the hay crop and vast natural growth of grasses on the 70,000,000 acres of range land being used almost entirely for the feeding of cattle, sheep, and horses. Ninety per cent of the land devoted to field crops is irrigated.

In 1942 production of milk and butter increased over 25 per cent. Poultry raising also increased to meet the requirements of war, in spite of the labor shortage.

Minerals.

Nevada is essentially a mining state and during 1942 production of copper, lead, zinc, manganese, mercury, and tungsten was greatly increased to meet war's demand. Deposits of barium, gypsum, glass sands, limestone and dumortierite were worked and the tonnage of brucite and magnesite produced was large. Much of the output was shipped to California plants, but the $100,000,000 magnesium plant at Las Vegas was in production at the end of the year.

The total value of Nevada's gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc production in 1941 was $38,873,169. Gold production declined in 1941 and enforced closing down of many gold and silver mines made a further decline in the production of those metals in 1942, but demand for the strategic metals resulted in a large increase in total production in 1942 and even larger totals are forecast for 1943.

Legislative Matters and Defense Measures.

Little of legislative interest occurred in 1942, no special session being called by Governor Carville. Every effort was made by the state to streamline the war effort, and Nevada's Council of Defense, in efficient operation prior to the declaration of war, has served as a pattern for tardier states. Expenditures of the Council were $5,315.00 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942.

On Dec. 31, 1942, the state had in operation 11 standard and 20 secondary airports, and at the end of the year construction was going forward on four large training airports, in addition to extended facilities at the Hawthorne Naval Station.

Finances.

Nevada's prosperity in 1942 was reflected in the financial set-up. The six State Banks had deposits of $5,286,541.96 and resources of $5,798,622.71 as of June 30, 1942, the ensuing six months showing an even greater increase. Of the six National Banks, the First National Bank of Nevada with nine branches in the state was the largest institution; the Ely National Bank has one branch at McGill. The National Banks had total deposits of $50,738,257.98 and total resources of $54,831,479.50 at the close of business on June 30, 1942.

State receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, were $8,797,892.32 while disbursements were $8,180,455.90. The outstanding bonded indebtedness of the state on June 30, 1942, amounted to $649,000. On July 1, 1942, bonds were redeemed in the sum of $53,000, leaving a balance of state indebtedness of $596,000.

All outstanding bonds are held by various departments of the state, purchased for the benefit of trust funds, as Nevada has no bonded debt to outside interests. Total securities held by the state treasury on June 30, 1942, were $11,577,117.31, reflecting the sound condition of Nevada. The amount spent for public assistance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, was $29,375.51; for social security and old-age assistance, $839,340.83. The balance in the Nevada unemployment fund with the U. S. Treasury as of June 30, 1942, was $2,088,955.87. The cash balance in the state Treasury on June 30, 1942, was $1,781,461.00.

State Officials.

Governor, E. P. Carville; Lieutenant Governor, Vail Pittman; Secretary of State, Malcolm McEachin; Treasurer, Dan W. Franks; Controller, Henry C. Schmidt; Auditor, Don La Rue; Attorney General, Alan H. Bible; and Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mildred Bray.

United States Senators:

Pat McCarran, James C. Scrugham.