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.

1941: Florida

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1845, Florida is twenty-first in size among the states with an area of 58,666 sq. mi. According to the 1940 census, Florida ranks twenty-seventh in population, with 1,897,441 inhabitants. This is an increase of 29.2 per cent during the last ten years. Florida is second in the United States for rate of population increase, 1930-40. Fifty-two of the state's sixty-seven counties have increased in population, Gulf County having the largest growth, at 118.4 per cent. Pinellas County is the most thickly populated, with 347.9 persons per sq. mi. The largest population is that of Dade County, with 267,739.

Florida is more urban than rural, as 55.1 per cent live in cities. There are 20 cities of 10,000 or more, and three metropolitan districts consisting of cities of 50,000 or more with adjacent incorporated areas of at least 150 persons per sq. mi. These are: Jacksonville, 195,619, an increase of 31.5 per cent; Tampa-St. Petersburg, 209,693, an increase of 24.1 per cent; Miami, 250,537, an increase of 89.5 per cent. The capital, Tallahassee, has 16,097, an increase of 50.4 per cent. The largest increase for any city of Florida was that of Miami Beach, 331.4 per cent, with a population of 28,012.

Florida's population is 73 per cent white, and predominantly of American stock. Interesting foreign centers are the Hispanic peoples living around Tampa and Miami, and the Greek sponge divers of Tarpon Springs. Of the 1940 population, the whites numbered 1,384,365, and non-whites 513,049. The total labor force of the state is 790,311. Of these, 87 per cent are employed in regular jobs, 5.2 per cent in public emergency work, while 7.8 per cent are seeking jobs.

Agriculture.

Florida has three agricultural sections: South Florida, devoted to market vegetables; Central Florida, where citrus fruits predominate; North Florida, which is concerned with tobacco, cotton, corn, forage crops, peanuts, and tung oil. One fourth of the tung oil of the United States comes from Florida. The state has 8,337,708 A. in farm cultivation, and a total of 62,248 farms valued at $324,377,874. The gross farm income for 1941 was estimated at $130,000,000.

Industry and Transportation.

Among the important industrial products of Florida are naval stores, phosphate rock, lumber, paper, cigars and sponges. For the last, Tarpon Springs is the largest center in the world. Canning, cattle raising and fishing, including the shipping of shrimps and oysters, are also leading occupations. In 1941, there were 2,083 manufacturing establishments, employing 58,662 persons, and producing goods valued at $24,538,534. Shipbuilding has also become important; contracts for defense purposes have been let totalling $64,954,056. The accommodation of tourists constitutes one of the state's big industries. During the year 1940-41, it was estimated that 2,800,000 visitors came to Florida and spent about $302,000,000.

Education.

Florida has 397,900 children enrolled in school, from kindergarten through the twelve grades. Of these 292,440 are white and 105,460 are Negro. The University of Florida and the Florida State College for Women are the state-supported institutions of higher learning for the whites, and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Negroes. There are also a number of privately supported colleges for both white and Negro students.

The average salary for 1939-40 was $95.40 per month for white common school teachers, and $48.57 for Negro teachers. State appropriations for the schools are based on $800 per teacher and transportation unit. For 1940, the amount provided by the state was $12,462,824. Support of the common schools is the largest expenditure of the state; it represents 22.7 per cent of the total budget, and 63 per cent of the entire school funds.

Welfare and Correction.

The state provides for the administration of a Social Welfare Fund and an Unemployment Insurance Fund. The expenditure for social welfare services (old-age pensions, aid to the blind, and care of dependent children) amounts to about $4,000,000. Unemployment insurance is self-sustaining.

Finance.

As the state had a deficit in 1940 amounting to several millions, the 1941 Legislature made several financial reforms in keeping with a report on Florida finances made by the Brookings Institute in March 1941. All taxable property was required to be placed on the rolls at full value instead of one fourth, and stiff penalties were attached to failure to report personal property. Homes up to $5,000 valuation are exempted from taxation, except those levied for bonded debts. Florida has no sales tax or income tax, and no ad valorem tax on real estate for state purposes. A bonded state debt is prohibited by the Constitution.

Defense Activities.

During the year 1941, the Government matured its plan to develop Florida as a base of national defense. From June 1940-June 1941, defense contracts and awards amounted to $143,464,392.

Florida is becoming one of the most heavily fortified areas in the United States, due to her proximity to the Caribbean. On Oct. 9, 1940, a State Defense Committee was appointed by Governor Fred P. Cone.

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.

1940: Florida

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1845, Florida is twenty-first in size among the states, with an area of 58,666 sq. mi. According to the 1940 census, it now ranks twenty-seventh in population instead of thirty-first, numbering 1,897,414. This is an increase of 29.2 per cent during the last ten years, and gives Florida first rank among the states for rate of increase, 1930-40. The largest cities (1940) are Jacksonville, 173,065, an increase of 34.6 per cent; Miami, 172,172 (54.4 per cent); Tampa, 108,391 (6.4 per cent); St. Petersburg, 60,812 (46.4 per cent); Orlando, 36,736 (32.8 per cent). The capital, Tallahassee, now has 16,240, an increase of 50.4 per cent. The largest increase for any city in Florida was that of Miami Beach, 321 per cent, with a present population of 28,012.

Of the 1935 population whites numbered 1,139,063; Negroes, 463,205; and all others, 4,574, including 578 Seminole Indians.

Agriculture.

The state had a bumper citrus crop of 41,000,000 boxes in 1939. A freeze in January 1940 materially reduced the crops for the year but did little damage to the orange groves themselves.

Industry.

Among the important industrial products of Florida are naval stores, lumber and paper, phosphate rock, cigars, and sponges. For the last, Tarpon Springs is the largest center in the world. Canning, cattle raising and fishing — including the shipping of shrimps, oysters and clams — are also leading occupations. The accommodation of tourists constitutes the chief industry of the state. There were 291,000 tourists in 1939-40.

Education.

Florida has 397,900 children enrolled in school from kindergarten through the twelve grades. Of these 292,440 are whites and 105,460 are Negroes.

The average salary for 1938-39 was $94.48 per month for white common-school teachers and $47.44 for Negro teachers. State appropriations for 1939 were $12,091,793.33.

Finance.

The Legislature of 1939 made a total appropriation of $19,284,416, the largest in state history. Failure to provide adequate revenue for this amount led the Governor to veto nearly $5,000,000 in specific appropriations for education, state parks, agriculture, and general welfare. There is no state debt, as this is prohibited by the constitution.

The state provides for the administration of the Social Welfare Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The expenditures for social welfare services (old age pensions, aid to the blind, and care of dependent children) amount to $3,800,000 annually. Unemployment insurance is self-sustaining.

Events of the Year.

During 1940, the Government extended its plans to develop Florida as a basis of national defense.

Political Affairs.

In the election of November 5, 1940, Florida was carried for President Roosevelt by a two-to-one vote. The following state amendments were approved by the voters: the prohibition for state purposes of ad valorem taxes on property, except on intangibles; and extension of the term of county commissioners from two to four years; an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges from six to seven; legislative authority to create a parole commission; legislative authority to allocate and distribute to the counties certain excise taxes; exemption from taxation up to $500, for widows and those disabled through war or misfortune.

State Officers.

Governor, Spessard L. 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 O. Andrews.

1939: Florida

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1845, Florida ranks 21st in size among the states, with an area of 58,666 sq. mi. In population it ranks 31st, numbering 1,468,211 according to the census of 1930; 1,670,000 according to a Federal estimate in 1937. The population is concentrated in specific areas, with vast tracts of almost uninhabited land between. The largest cities are Jacksonville, 129,549 (1930 census), 146,289 (1935 state census); Miami, 110,637; Tampa, 101,161; St. Petersburg, 40,425. The capital is Tallahassee, 10,700.

Florida's population is over two-thirds white and predominantly of American stock. According to the last census the largest foreign groups came from Great Britain, Canada, Germany, and Italy. Interesting foreign centers comprise the Hispanic groups living around Miami and Tampa and the Greek sponge divers of Tarpon Springs. By the census of 1930, Florida's population was about equally divided between those native born and those from other states.

Of the 1935 population whites numbered 1,139,063; Negroes, 463,205; and all others, 4,574, including 578 Seminole Indians.

Agriculture.

Florida has three agricultural sections: South Florida, devoted to market vegetables; Central Florida, where citrus fruits predominate; North Florida, concerned with tobacco, cotton, corn, forage crops, peanuts, and tung oil. One fourth of the tung oil in the United States comes from Florida. The state had a bumper citrus crop of 41,000,000 boxes in 1939.

Industry.

Among the important industrial products of Florida are naval stores, lumber and paper, cigars, and sponges. For the last Tarpon Springs is the largest market in the world. Canning, cattle raising and fishing — including the shipping of shrimps, oysters and clams — are also leading occupations. The accommodation of tourists constitutes the chief industry of the state.

Mineral Products.

The 1938 production of phosphate rock, Florida's chief mineral, was somewhat below that for 1937, but it was still far in the lead in the United States with 2,707,335 tons, valued at $8,773,680. This compared favorably with 2,996,820 tons valued at $9,142,985, in 1937.

Education.

Florida has 396,824 children enrolled in school from kindergarten through the 12th grade. Of these, 292,959 are white and 103,865 are Negro. The University of Florida and the Florida State College for Women are the institutions of higher learning for the whites, and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Negroes. Their enrollment was as follows, 1938-39: University of Florida, 3,278; Florida State College for Women, 1,850; Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College, 822.

The average salary for 1938-39 was $94.48 per month for white common school teachers and $47.44 for Negro teachers. State appropriations for the common schools are based on $800 per teacher and transportation unit. For 1939 the appropriation was $12,091,793.33.

Welfare and Correction.

Florida maintains the following institutions: Florida School for Deaf and Blind Children, in St. Augustine; Florida State Hospital, for the insane, Chattahoochee; Florida Farm Colony, for the feeble-minded, Gainesville; Florida Industrial School for Boys, Mariana; Florida Industrial School for Girls, Ocala; Florida State Prison Farm, for men and women, Raiford; Florida State Tuberculosis Sanatorium, in Orlando.

The state provides for the administration of the Social Welfare Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The expenditures for social welfare services (old age pensions, aid to the blind, and care of dependent children) amount to $3,800,000 annually. Unemployment insurance is self-sustaining.

Finance.

The Legislature of 1939 made a total appropriation of $19,284,416, the largest in state history. Failure to provide adequate revenue for this amount led the Governor to veto nearly $5,000,000 in specific appropriations for education, state parks, agriculture, and general welfare. The state budget for 1939 was $7,514,000. There is no state debt, as this is prohibited by the Constitution.

Events of the Year.

During the 1939 session of the Legislature the chief measures to be adopted were a school code, and a crime code prepared by the Florida Bar Association; retirement plans for public school teachers, circuit judges, and firemen, in cities where no pension funds are provided; a non-contributory pension plan for municipal officers who have held elective, salaried office for 20 consecutive years; a pure food, drug, and cosmetic act based on the Federal law; regulations in the citrus industry; and an act placing the milk control board, a price-fixing agency, upon a permanent basis as long as the Governor deems the industry to be in need of supervision.

Six Constitutional amendments to be voted on in November 1940 were finally passed upon. These propose: the prohibition for state purposes of ad valorem taxes on property, except on intangibles; an extension of the terms of county commissioners from two to four years; an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges, from six to seven; Legislative authority to create a parole commission; Legislative authority to allocate and distribute to the counties certain excise taxes; exemption from taxation up to $500, for widows and those disabled through war or misfortune. The main controversy in the Legislature concerned tax reform, but nothing was settled.

The most interesting news of the year was the Government's decision to develop Florida as a base of national defense. The sum of $25,000,000 was appropriated for a Naval Air Base near Jacksonville, a Southeastern Army Air Base at Tampa, an Auxiliary Seaplane Base on the Banana River, and additions to the Pensacola Naval Air Base.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, Frederick Preston Cone; Secretary of State, Robert Andrews Gray; Comptroller, James Martin Lee; Treasurer, William V. Knott; Auditor, W. M. Wainwright; Attorney General, George Couper Gibbs; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Colin English.

United States Senators.

Claude Pepper, Charles O. Andrews.

1938: Florida

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1845, Florida ranks 21st in size among the states, with an area of 58,666 sq. mi. In population it ranks 31^st, numbering 1,468,211 according to the census of 1930; 1,670,000 according to a Federal estimate in 1937. The largest cities are Jacksonville, 129,549 (1930 census); Miami, 110,637; Tampa, 101,161; St. Petersburg, 40,425. The capital is Tallahassee, 10,700.

Of the 1935 population whites numbered 1,130,063; Negroes, 463,205; and all others, 4,574, including 578 Seminole Indians.

Mineral Products.

Among Florida's mineral products in 1937 phosphate rock continued to be by far the outstanding item. Production in 1937 amounted to 2,996,820 tons, with a value of $9,142,985 as against 2,624,900 pounds in 1936, valued at $8,528,523. These figures represent about three-fourths of all the phosphate rock mined in the United States.

Education.

For the year ending June 30, 1937, the total enrollment in Florida public schools was 385,763. Of these 284,483 were white and 101,280 were Negro pupils.

Events of the Year.

The Florida news event of 1938 which attracted the widest attention was the kidnaping for ransom of James Bailey Cash, Jr., five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cash of Princeton, Florida, on Saturday night, May 28, and the subsequent arrest, conviction and sentencing of the kidnaper. After payment of the $10,000 ransom with no result, the efforts of Sheriff Coleman of Dade County and of Edgar Hoover, chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led to the arrest and confession of the kidnaper, Franklin Pierce McCall, a truck driver of the vicinity, and to his admission of the death of the child, possibly through accidental smothering. McCall was promptly sentenced to death in the electric chair, and a plea for commutation was denied, but his lawyers later obtained a writ of error and a review of the case by the Supreme Court of Florida.

On April 21 a fourth and final hearing was held by Special Master, John S. Flannerty, in Miami, concerning which of four states, Massachusetts, New York, Texas or Florida, each claiming to be the place of residence of the late Colonel E. H. R. Green, should collect the large inheritance tax due from his estate.

In the statewide Democratic primary of May 3, United States Senator Claude Pepper, then serving the remainder of the term of the late Senator, D. U. Fletcher, won by more than 72,000 majority in a race over four opponents — Congressman Mark Wilcox of the fourth district, Ex-Governor David Sholtz, H. Finley Moore of Lake City, and T. C. Merchant of Madison. There had been wide criticism in February when James Roosevelt, vacationing in Palm Beach, informally advocated the reelection of Senator Pepper as a supporter of the Administration. Congressman Wilcox had been a critic of the New Deal, and especially of the Supreme Court enlargement plan. It was generally felt that Pepper's nomination and subsequent reelection were an endorsement of the Roosevelt policies.

The week ending June 23 brought the freeing by a court in Bartow of the last of a group of men charged in 1935 with the kidnaping and flogging of three men who were being held in the police station in Tampa on accusation of Communistic activities. One of the victims died as the result of the flogging.

When Henry Flagler's 'Overseas Railroad' to Key West (completed in 1912) was practically demolished by the 'Labor Day hurricane' of 1935, no attempt was made to reconstruct the destroyed portions. Since that time, however, a highway has been built from the mainland to Key West at a cost of $30,000,000. A formal opening was held in Key West on July 4, 1938. It is said that even before the tourist season opened as many as 1,200 automobiles traveled over the road in one day.

On Sept. 27 it was reported that a contemplated $48,000,000 highway construction program for 1939-40 had collapsed, because Governor Cone was opposed to involving the state's gasoline tax over a period of ten years in order to obtain Federal aid.

On Oct. 2 the first school ever requested by the Florida Seminole Indians was opened at Brighton.

For drainage of the Everglades, see RECLAMATION.

Finance.

According to the comptroller's report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1938, Florida's regular receipts during that period totaled $53,719,383.54 and the regular disbursements were $52,721,229.74. Expenditures on public health, hospitals and correction, and aid to special classes amounted to $8,564,536.53.

Banking.

On Sept. 28, 1938, deposits in Florida's state banks totaled $71,463,153.30; and in national banks within the state, $147,413,000. On December 1, 1937, deposits in state banks had been $75,903,460.29.

State Officers.

Governor, Fred P. Cone; Secretary of State, R. A. Gray; Attorney General, George Couper Gibbs (appointed in May to succeed the late Cary D. Landis and elected in November to fill the unexpired term); Comptroller, J. M. Lee; Treasurer, W. V. Knott; Superintendent of Schools, Colin English.

United States Senators.

Claude Pepper (reelected in November), Charles O. Andrews.