1942: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, New Hampshire is sometimes referred to as the 'Granite State.' With an area of 9,282 sq. mi., its population (census of 1940) was 491,524, representing an increase of 26,231, or 5.6 per cent over that of 1930. The capital is Concord, with 27,171 inhabitants. Other cities, exceeding 14,000 in population, are Manchester, 77,685; Nashua, 32,927; Berlin, 19,084; Dover, 14,990, and Portsmouth, 14,821.

The urban population in 1940 was 283,225, or 57.6 per cent of the total, while the rural population was 208,299. During the decade from 1930 to 1940, the rural population grew more rapidly than that of the urban areas, reversing a trend which had existed from 1820 to 1930. In 1940 there were 490,989 whites and 414 Negroes, with 121 of other races. Of the white population, 422,693 were American born, while 68,296 were of foreign birth. Among the foreign-born population were the following: French Canadians, 29,442; other Canadians, 12,530; immigrants from the British Isles, 8,407; and Polish, 3,250.

Education.

The United States census of 1940 revealed that there were 161,960 persons of school age (5 to 24 years) in New Hampshire, of whom 95,228, or 58.8 per cent, were enrolled in regular schools or in colleges. In 1941-42 there were 1,854 public schools, classified as follows: kindergartens, 44; mixed (one room) schools, 288; classified schools, 1,302; junior high schools, 46; senior high schools, 96; opportunity schools, 17; and evening schools, 61. The total enrollment in the public schools of the state for the same year was 73,483, which included 51,771 elementary pupils; 20,744 high-school pupils; and 968 enrolled in evening schools.

Total expenditures for educational purposes during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, were $7,856,373. The teaching staffs included 2,060 elementary and 991 high-school teachers. Their average salaries were as follows: for men in elementary schools, $1,441, and for women, $1,118; for men in secondary schools, $1,896, and for women, $1,425.

In 1939, there were 34,888 pupils enrolled in private schools, of whom at least 21,000 were to be found in elementary parochial schools. The large French Canadian element accounts in part for this situation.

Agriculture.

The principal farm products of New Hampshire are potatoes, apples, milk and cream, and live poultry, marketed principally in cities of eastern and central Massachusetts and New York City. Maple sirup and maple sugar, and hay are also important items. In 1940 there were 16,554 farms, aggregating 1,809,314 ac., the average acreage per farm being 109.3. Of the total land in farms, 590,375 ac. were available for crops and 860,113 were woodland, leaving 358,826 ac. of other land. The average value of farm land, per acre, was $34.38. In 1939, the total value of all farm products sold, traded, or used by farm households was $22,939,158. During 1942, New Hampshire agriculture continued to face serious problems due to a scarcity of farm labor resulting from war conditions.

Industry.

The industries of New Hampshire have always been characterized by diversity and by the relatively large number of small plants. Their principal products are textiles, footwear, paper and allied products, wood products, including pulp, and machinery. The value of all manufactures in 1939 was estimated at $237,396,015. More than one-half of all persons gainfully employed in New Hampshire are engaged in manufacturing. Industrial expansion and changes resulting from the war have led to population shifts in the cities, which have produced many new social and economic problems. During the past two or three years defense and war requirements have led to special emphasis upon the development of the chemical, paper, and metal industries.

The wholesale trade of New Hampshire amounted in 1939 to $64,263,000, and the retail trade to $183,100,000. Recreational activities, including summer resorts and camps, winter sports, etc., constitute an important part of the state economy. In 1936 they produced an estimated direct gross income of no less than $9,641,503. War conditions have very seriously affected this source of income, particularly in the less accessible mountain areas in the northern part of the state. In 1939, minerals to the value of $1,187,339 were produced, among which were clay products, feldspar, mica, sand and gravel, and stone. A survey of the mineral resources of the state was made in 1940 and during 1942 especial efforts were made to open new mica mines, to supply war needs.

Legislative and Political Developments.

The General Court was not in session in 1942. The party alignment in the new General Court which was elected in November 1942 and which convenes for its 164th session on Jan. 6, 1943, will be as follows: In the Senate there will be 17 Republicans and 7 Democrats. The House of Representatives will consist of 276 Republicans, and 165 Democrats, with two tied votes to be determined. In the election of November 1942, Robert O. Blood (Republican) was reelected governor over William J. Neal (Democrat) by a vote of 83,766 to 76,782. H. Styles Bridges (Republican) was reelected United States senator over Francis P. Murphy (Democrat), by a vote of 88,601 to 73,656.

Defense.

The year 1942 witnessed the continued mobilization of the human and material resources of the state for war. The activities of the State Council of Defense, created in 1941, were greatly extended, and provision was made for an increase in the size of the New Hampshire State Guard to four battalions, thus doubling its size, including active and reserve units. A New Hampshire Office of Price Administration was set up at Concord, with Russell R. Larmon as state director. War activities at the Portsmouth Navy Yard have resulted in a marked concentration of industry and population in that area of the state.

Banking and Finance.

Forty-three savings banks and eight savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $206,645,049, as of June 30, 1942, representing a decrease under the total for June 30, 1941, of $450,153. For the sixth consecutive year there was an increase in the number of savings accounts, the total of 321,552 on June 30, 1942, being 3,239 greater than for June 30, 1941. As of June 30 also, fifty-two national banks reported deposits of $93,734,000 and resources of $108,971,000. The state's twenty-five building and loan associations report resources of $13,778,162, an increase of $665,710 over 1941.

Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, were $32,181,057.51, and cash disbursements, $31,218,074.56. The cash balance was $5,403,857.33. The gross fixed bond and note debt was $15,652,000; and the total net bonded debt, $12,700,913.12.

Social Welfare.

Owing to an increase in employment resulting from the war, there was a downward trend in the burden of general relief during 1942. In January, there were 5,884 cases on general relief, with an expenditure of $156,003, as compared with 4,259 cases in September, with an expenditure of $107,112. Expenditures for public assistance under the Social Security Act have tended to increase, although in respect to old-age assistance a peak appears to have been reached in July with an expenditure of $176,158. Monthly aid to dependent children has steadily increased, rising to $41,586 in September. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, $6,211,865.28 was disbursed from the New Hampshire unemployment compensation fund. In 1942 the balance available showed a marked gain, due to lessening unemployment.

State Officers.

Governor, Robert O. Blood; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Attorney General, Stephen M. Wheeler; Commissioner of Education, James N. Pringle.

United States Senators:

H. Styles Bridges, Charles W. Tobey.