1942: Pennsylvania

Area and Population.

In size the 32nd state in the Union, Pennsylvania has an area of 45,126 sq. mi. According to the last official census (1940), the population of the state was 9,900,180 persons, a total which showed an increase of 268,830 during the preceding decade. Of these inhabitants, 472,708 were non-white, and 365,192 registered aliens. During 1941 there were 174,591 children born in the state. Deaths during the same period numbered 108,401. Three general trends in the population have been observed during the last year: an increase in the birthrate; a movement to the cities, which have gained an estimated 208,744 persons; and the loss of young men and women who have entered the armed forces.

Education.

According to the annual school census, there were 1,951,299 persons in Pennsylvania, of the ages six to 17 inclusive, during 1941-1942. The net state enrollment in the schools for the same period was 1,739,701: including 34,034 in kindergartens, 1,039,748 in elementary schools, and 664,919 in secondary schools. The state system included 473 kindergartens, 8,735 elementary schools; and 1,260 approved public high schools.

Current public school expenditures amounted to $152,939,741 during the school year.

Agriculture.

Pennsylvania is one of the most important agricultural states in the Union. More than half its total area is adapted to farming, and there is a larger investment in farms, stock, and farming equipment than there is in mining and quarrying. In cash income from farm products Pennsylvania ranked 12th in the nation for 1941. For the same year the state was first in the production of buckwheat and cigar-leaf tobacco; fourth in clover and timothy hay, potatoes, commercial apples, and maple products; fifth in grapes and sour cherries; sixth in sweet cherries; seventh in all tobacco and all cherries; eighth in timothy seed, peaches and pears, tame hay, and clover seed, as well as in milk production; tenth in the value of cows on farms.

For 1941 the principal field and fruit crops were valued at $155,351,000, compared with $135,345,000 for 1940. Although the acreage of field and fruit crops harvested in 1941 was 2 per cent less than in 1940, the total production was 2 per cent greater because of good corn and tobacco crops. The hay crop was 16 per cent less in 1941 because of the dry summer. Prices paid the farmer ranged from 5 per cent more for rye, to 42 per cent more for potatoes than in the previous year.

While complete statistics are not available for 1942, it may be said that record-breaking harvests were headline news. Aggregate crop production was estimated at 14 per cent higher than in 1941, and 13 per cent ahead of the former all-time peak reached in 1937.

Many crop changes were made to meet the demands of the war effort. For instance there was an increase in the acreage devoted to crops which can be crushed for vegetable oils. Soybeans were increased 125 per cent over last year. To meet the growing demands of livestock and poultry, there was an increase in field crops of 6 per cent; corn 5 per cent, oats 3 per cent, barley 21 per cent, and tame hay 3 per cent. Pennsylvania farmers concentrated on the production of relatively bulky, perishable products, such as milk, poultry products, fruits and vegetables. During 1942 milk production was higher than it had been for several years. Poultry raising is the second most important enterprise in the state. Pennsylvania ranks first among the states in the value of eggs produced, and second in the value of chickens.

Honey production, in which Pennsylvania is one of the five leading states, showed a large increase in 1942 because of the sugar shortage.

Industry.

Pennsylvania is first among the states in heavy manufacturing, and in many essential raw materials for war. It produces more iron and steel than Great Britain; and one-fifth of the fuel produced in the U.S. It is first in the value of its mines and quarry products, and leads the nation in forty important industries. Production has increased in all these fields.

Legislative Matters.

On Feb. 17 a special session of the Legislature was called by Governor James to pass legislation for the reapportionment of the state into 32 congressional districts and the election of one representative at large for Congress, a law made necessary by the 1940 census. Other legislation was required by the national emergency. Following are some of the chief measures passed:

For the protection of property and industry against sabotage.

For conferring certain powers and duties upon the state and local councils of defense to provide for the mobilization of municipal personnel and equipment.

Other laws were passed which suspended or relaxed certain laws which would obstruct the war effort. These provided for the transportation of explosives on the Delaware River in certain areas formerly restricted; the use of small license tags on automobiles in lieu of the regular plates; the revision of hunting regulations; and suspension of laws requiring uniformity in traffic lights.

The principal amendment passed was that which liberalized unemployment compensation benefits from $15 to $18 a week for 15 weeks.

Finance.

On July 30, 1942, there were in Pennsylvania 396 banking institutions operating under state charters, with resources of $3,491,202,429, an increase of $100,033,873 over the comparable figure of the preceding year. Included were 167 banks, 202 bank and trust companies, 8 savings banks, 16 private banks, and 3 trust companies. The number of depositors decreased from 3,801,180 to 3,648,956, between June 30, 1941 and June 30, 1942. Loans decreased from $863,709,070 to $839,159,215, while investments increased from $178,294,890 to $1,704,510,370.

Events of Interest.

On Jan. 5, 1942, The Philadelphia Evening Ledger, started in 1914, went out of business. On Feb. 3 the first blackout test in eastern Pennsylvania was held. On Feb. 16, 639,848 men, 20 to 44, registered for selective service. A 24-hour patrol to protect piers and industry was begun on Feb. 23. Floods throughout the state caused heavy damage and on May 23, 31 deaths.

State Officers.

Governor, Arthur H. James; Lieutenant Governor, Samuel S. Lewis; Secretary of the Commonwealth, Sophia M. R. O'Hara; Treasurer, G. Harold Wagner; Auditor General, F. Clair Ross; Attorney General, Claud T. Reno; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Francis B. Haas.

United States Senators:

James J. Davis, Joseph F. Guffey.