1942: Virginia

Area and Population.

Virginia, the thirty-third state in size, has an area of 40,815 sq. mi. Its population (census of 1940) is 2,677,778, comprising 944,675 urban residents and 1,733,098 rural. Since the census was taken, however, the population of the state has increased by at least 500,000, owing to the war and war industries.

The principal cities are, in order: Richmond, the capital, 193,042; Norfolk, 144,332; Roanoke, 69,287; Portsmouth, 50,734; Lynchburg, 44,541; and Newport News, 37,067. In the year 1942, however, the population of Norfolk was much higher, and that of Newport News rose perhaps to 100,000, owing to shipbuilding and other industries.

Agriculture.

Virginia's leading crops in order of value are as follows: corn, tobacco, hay, apples, wheat, and peanuts.

Industry.

Business in Virginia in 1942 was curiously mixed. Industrial plants worked at full blast due to the war, and retail trade was good. On the other hand, Virginia, which is a great tourist state, was hit hard by gasoline restrictions. Many filling stations and tea rooms closed, and the hotels in some sections of the state suffered.

Education.

The school population in 1941-42 was 709,617. There were 3,784 elementary schools and 618 high schools. The state expenditure for public schools was $29,500,000. The average county teacher's salary was $798; the city's $1,255.

Political and Other Events.

In January 1942, the incoming governor and lieutenant governor, Colgate W. Darden and William M. Tuck (elected in November 1941) were inaugurated in Richmond. The session of the General Assembly that followed, and came to an end on March 15, was one of the most important in years. Governor Darden had drawn up a progressive legislative program which was accepted almost in its entirety by the Assembly.

A minimum salary of $750 for school teachers was adopted, and a sound retirement system. Legislative districts were redistricted so as to give the cities, greatly increased in size in recent years, better representation. Workmen's compensation insurance was extended to new groups of workers. The small-loan rate of interest was greatly reduced. A speed limit of forty-five miles an hour for automobiles (to be reduced to forty at the Governor's option) was established. For the next biennium the budget was balanced without tax increases.

Finance.

The financial condition of Virginia was so improved that Governor Darden ventured to call an extra session of the General Assembly for the purpose of providing for the payment of the state debt. This session lasted from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. An act was passed appropriating $10,000,000 to the sinking fund to pay off the principal and interest of the state's funded debt. This money was put into United States bonds as an investment, pending the payment of state bonds.

This provision for the payment of Virginia's state debt marks an era in the history of the Commonwealth. Virginia was left in 1865 with a large debt, and with scant means of repayment. From 1870 to 1890 a controversy of the bitterest nature raged over the amount of the debt, which was finally settled by a readjustment on a fair basis. This readjustment, with lowered interest rate, reduced the debt greatly, and soon Virginia will be among the soundest states of the Union financially. This is the result of the excellent state government Virginia has enjoyed since the Constitution of 1902 went into effect.

Defense.

The principal development in Virginia in 1942 was in connection with the war. Camp Pickett was established at Blackstone in southern Virginia, and in northern Virginia about 50,000 acres are being taken over by the Federal government for military purposes. In eastern Virginia there are many camps and air fields; the area is constantly increasing.

State Officers.

Governor, Colgate W. Darden; Lieutenant Governor, William M. Tuck; Secretary of the Commonwealth, Ralph E. Wilkins; Treasurer, William Tayloe Murphy; Attorney General, Abram P. Staples; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dabney S. Lancaster.

United States Senators:

Carter Glass, Harry F. Byrd.