1942: Maryland

Area and Population.

With an area of 10,577 sq. mi., including 690 sq. mi. of inland water surface, Maryland ranks 41st in size among the states. The population was 1,821,244, according to the 1940 census, ranking the state 28th in that regard. Negroes comprise 16.6 per cent of the total population, numbering 301,931; other races total 832.

Baltimore, the largest city, and chief commercial and financial center of Maryland, ranked 7th in size among the cities of the United States, according to the 1940 census, with a population of 859,100. An estimate made recently by the Post Office Department placed the population in 1942 at well over 1,000,000. Other large cities in the state are, Cumberland, 39,483; and Hagerstown, 32,491. The capital is Annapolis, with 13,069.

Education.

The total enrollment, in 1941-42, in the state's 1,233 public schools was 398,029, and there were 5,350 elementary and 3,547 high and vocational teachers. Current expenditures for public education amounted to $22,052,982. Equalization of salaries of Negro with white teachers went into effect in January 1942, as a result of 1941 legislation and state aid included in the supplementary budget.

Since Pearl Harbor, the teachers and school officials have made cooperation with the nation's war effort a major objective. This effort has centered around the following activities: Training of children and adults in first-aid and air-raid precautions; promoting the sale of war stamps and bonds; aiding in the campaign for the collection of paper, rubber and scrap metal; accelerating and adjusting the school program to prepare youth more quickly for employment; professional training for aid in the agricultural program and service in the armed forces. Because of Maryland's proximity to Washington, with its need for additional government workers, together with the number of war industries in the state, and enlistment in the armed services, the loss of teachers, especially from high schools in certain counties, became increasingly alarming. The consolidation of schools, coupled with transportation of pupils to more distant centers, continued.

Agriculture.

Production of most crops in Maryland in 1942 exceeded the figures for last year and the average for the last ten years. The growing season, on the whole, was more favorable than is experienced ordinarily. Prices for practically all farm products were relatively high and the chief factor which prevented the year from being especially favorable for agriculture was a serious shortage of farm labor. Maryland farmers were called upon for substantially increased production of milk, meat, eggs, poultry, tomatoes for canning, and soybeans. In addition, they were urged to grow as much as possible of their home food supply. In spite of great difficulties, farmers of the state exceeded their quota in practically all products. The dairy industry, which is the largest source of farm income, had to cope with a particularly difficult situation in its effort to meet the greatly increased demand for milk, due to increased population. The experienced, year-around labor essential to dairy farming, was most difficult to obtain and hold. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Maryland dairymen kept production above the preceding year's.

High prices for all kinds of livestock and the increased need for meat have encouraged expansion in the numbers of animals raised. The immense broiler industry on the Eastern Shore continued its rapid growth of the last few years. The fact that millions of pounds of chicken meat can be produced in a few weeks is making that industry an important factor in meeting the shortage of meat, and there is every indication that there will be a strong demand for increased production for at least the duration of the war. Egg production from January through September was 9 per cent above the same period last year. The commercial apple crop was above that of 1941, and the average; and while the peach crop was not quite up to 1941, it was above the average. In response to the call for oil-producing crops, Maryland farmers grew a record crop of soybeans, but encountered serious difficulty in saving them because of rainy weather and shortage of labor and machinery.

Industry and Defense.

Industrial employment in the Baltimore industrial area, including clerical, shipping, and all other employees for the year 1939, showed a total of 150,000 employees. A complete check of manufacturing companies shows that, as of May 1, 1942, this same area had 250,000 employees. It is estimated that approximately 202,000 of all manufacturing employees are now working in war industries in the Baltimore industrial area. In 1941, there were only 40,000 engaged in such industries. Using the 1929-31 period as a basis of 100 per cent, industrial payrolls in May 1942 had increased to 284.4 per cent. Shipbuilding and aircraft manufacture account for a large proportion of the new workers.

Finance.

When the fiscal year ended on September 30, 1942, the state's cash balance stood at $26,779,085.72, a record increase of more than $4,000,000 over the 1941 cash balance, giving the state a surplus of $10,348,000, also the highest on record. The bonded indebtedness was further reduced by nearly $4,000,000, bringing the total state indebtedness to $36,359,000. Income from all sources during the fiscal year reached a new high of $78,492,727.37, which was over $11,000,000 more than for the same period last year. Disbursements for the same period were $74,391,507.59. The amount spent for relief totaled $3,989,067.28; in addition to this amount, however, Federal relief funds disbursed amounted to $3,381,392.68. Because of Maryland's excellent financial condition at the close of the fiscal year, Governor O'Conor stated that a further reduction in the state tax rate, now the lowest in eighty years, would be possible, also the reduction or elimination of the state income tax, and that for the first time it would not be necessary to float a bond issue during the next two years.

Banking.

On June 30, 1942, Maryland had 63 National Banks with deposits of $447,953,000, loans of $75,312,000 and investments of $223,234,000. The 112 State Banks had deposits of $434,177,415, loans of $125,507,134, and investments of $204,055,104. The 11 mutual savings institutions had deposits of $255,643,949, loans of $35,815,928, and investments of $183,550,358.

Legislation.

As Maryland's General Assembly meets in odd years, there was no special session in 1942. The Legislative Council, which showed such excellent results during the last session of the Legislature, however, held numerous meetings during the year, and it is expected that they will have a definite program to present to the 1943 Legislature.

Politics and Elections.

So slim was the chance thought to be of a Republican being elected over Governor O'Conor, that up to a few days before the deadline for candidates to file for election, no Republican gubernatorial candidate had appeared. Finally, Theodore R. McKeldin, a public speaker of Baltimore City, was 'drafted' to run against the Governor. A dull and lifeless campaign followed, and it was not until the first election returns started to roll in that surprises came. McKeldin showed remarkable strength in the early returns from Baltimore. Final returns from the city gave O'Conor a lead of only 3,641 votes, the lowest majority received by a Democratic candidate for governor in twenty years. Governor O'Conor, however, picked up in the counties, and finally won with the slim majority of 16,817 votes. Daniel Ellison defeated his Democratic opponent, Joseph M. Wyatt, to become the first Republican Congressman from the Fourth Congressional District in nearly half a century.

State Officers.

Governor, Herbert R. O'Conor; Secretary of State, Thomas Elmo Jones; State Treasurer, Hooper S. Miles; Attorney General, William C. Walsh; State Comptroller, J. Millard Tawes; State Superintendent of Schools, Albert S. Cook; Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Milton A. Record.

United States Senators:

Millard E. Tydings; George L. Radcliffe.

1941: Maryland

Area and Population.

Maryland, one of the thirteen original states, and the seventh to join the Union, ranks 41st in size among the states, with an area of 10,577 sq. mi., including 690 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. In population it ranks 28th, numbering 1,821,244, according to the 1940 census, an increase of 11.6 per cent over the 1930 census. In the 1930 census, whites numbered 1,354,170, Negroes 276,379, and other races 977.

Baltimore, the chief commercial city and financial center of Maryland, and also the largest city, ranked 7th in size among the cities of the United States, according to the 1940 census, with a population of 859,100. Other large cities in the state are Cumberland, 39,493; Hagerstown, 32,491. The capital is Annapolis, with 13,069.

Agriculture.

Maryland has a diversified agricultural industry. Substantial improvement in the industry marked the year 1940, owing to increased prices for various agricultural products. Dairying is the largest industry, while poultry ranks second in net return to producers. The greatest change recently has been in the definite increase in the production of broilers on the Eastern Shore. This was a comparatively new industry a few years ago, but increasing demands have led to large expansion. It is estimated that more than 60,000,000 broilers were produced on the lower Eastern Shore (and Delaware County) in 1941. An expected increase of thirty per cent in production is anticipated for 1942.

Maryland is planning to meet defense demands for increase in milk production, eggs, poultry and livestock. In fact, during the past few years there has already been a marked increase in the production of beef cattle. Canning crops remain somewhat normal, although to meet Government requests for increases this past year, difficulty was experienced in securing the necessary labor for harvesting and canning. However, despite this fact, Maryland still packs more tomatoes than any other state in the Union, and is one of the leading states for strawberries, spinach and sweet potatoes. In addition to farming, the oyster and crab and fishing industry amounts to over $3,500,000 annually.

Industry and Defense.

Thirteen months of national defense have brought to industrial Maryland more than a billion dollars in direct army, navy, and Maritime Commission contracts, the greatest increase in business that has ever come into the state in any similar period in its history. By inclusion of the authorizations for all defense plant constructions, certificates of necessity for defense plant expansions to be privately financed, funds for training defense workers, and for all defense housing outlay, the aggregate exceeds $1,100,000,000. Employment in Maryland defense plants and defense construction alone has expanded by from 45,000 to 50,000 workers. The total employment of all non-agricultural workers in the state rose in 1941 to a total of 602,000 persons, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, a gain of more than 100,000 workers in a year. Payrolls in manufacturing plants mounted from $4,000,000 a week to $6,000,000 a week, and average wages rose from $28,7 a week to $31,32 a week. Two industries — shipbuilding and aircraft — account for the larger part of the new workers. The backlog of orders unfilled on the books of the Glenn L. Martin Co. on Aug. 15, 1941, amounted to $743,000,000. Total Maritime Commission orders granted to Maryland shipbuilding concerns exceed $136,000,000.

Finance.

When the fiscal year ended on September 30, 1941, the state's cash balance stood at $22,677,865.94, an increase of more than $3,000,000 over the 1940 balance. This gave the state a surplus of $9,119,270.57, the highest on record. The bonded indebtedness was further reduced by nearly $4,000,000, bringing the total state indebtedness to $40,197,000. The state's income from all sources during the year amounted to $67,251,209.88. Disbursements for the same period were $63,571,845.07. The amount spent for relief totaled $4,024,522.19; in addition to this amount, however, the Federal relief funds disbursed amounted to $3,450,767.89. Because of Maryland's excellent financial condition at the close of the fiscal year, Governor O'Conor announced a reduction in the state tax levy, setting the rate for 1942 at 14 cents and for 1943 at 12,75 cents, the lowest in eighty years.

Banking.

On June 30, 1941, Maryland had 63 National Banks with deposits of $342,513,000, loans of $76,350,000 and investments of $163,004,000. The 112 State Banks had deposits of $402,965,000, loans of $127,818,000 and investment of $145,800,000. The 12 Mutual Savings Institutions had deposits of $229,037,000, loans of $36,211,000 and investments of $175,209,000.

Education.

The total enrollment, in 1940-41, in the state's 1,321 public schools was 298,487. Current expenditures for public education amounted to $21,176,342. The high schools continued to attract an increasing number of pupils; the total enrollment, including vocational and high schools reached 86,665 in 1941. Inhabitants of school age (5-18), including those in private and parochial schools, numbered 398,459. The average salary paid the 8,837 teachers was $1,690.

Probably the most important event for Maryland's country schools during 1940-41 was the publication in February of 'The 1941 Survey of the Maryland Public Schools and Teachers Colleges' — a cooperative undertaking of the school authorities of the state with the survey staff. The major recommendations relate to the proposed long-term study of the curriculum, with the purpose of fitting it to the demands of the times, and the lengthening of the school course from 11 to 12 years in the 20 counties now operating on the 7-4 or 6-5 plan for elementary grades and high-school years. The 1941 Legislature passed a law to take effect as of January 1, 1942, eliminating the word 'white' from the law fixing minimum salaries for teachers, and repealing the separate salary schedules which have applied to county Negro teachers.

Maryland's National Defense Training Program financed by Federal funds completed the first year of its operation on July 8, 1941. It gave elementary or preemployment training to 8,103 inexperienced people, supplementary or advanced training to 15,563 individuals engaged in defense industries, and training to 2,429 rural and non-rural school youth. All except four counties participated in the adult education program financed through Federal, state and county funds. An enrollment of 4,617 white and 375 Negroes participated in vocational, elementary, secondary, and general cultural courses during 1940-41. Through consolidation of schools and transportation of pupils, there were 25 fewer white and 16 fewer Negro one-teacher elementary schools than were in existence the preceding year, thus reducing the number of white one-teacher schools to 184 and of Negro one-teacher schools to 182.

Legislative and Other Matters.

Interest in the opening of the 1941 Session of the General Assembly was centered on what effect the Legislative Council might have on the session, and whether it would prevent the last-minute jam of business during the closing days of the ninety-day term. The Council introduced 110 Bills at the opening of the session; as a matter of fact, these were prepared and sent to members of the Legislature two or three days before the convening of the session. The idea was that the members and committees would have material to work on immediately, and it was hoped that this would keep them in session almost constantly. Although the prompt introduction of the bills had the desired effect of keeping the Legislature in session more continuously than during any previous session, it did not prevent the usual last-minute jam. Of the total of 118 Bills introduced by the Council, over 100 were passed. Some of the more important of these related to road condemnation, retail instalment selling, the use of fireworks, the State Guard, and billboards. There were several amendments to the Workmen's Compensation Laws, insurance laws, and others. It may be said that as a whole the work of the Council was successful. The Council meets regularly at least once a month, and is now preparing proposals, Bills, and recommendations for the 1943 General Assembly.

In October 1941, Baltimoreans welcomed to her native city the former Wallis Warfield, and her husband, the Duke of Windsor, former King of England. The Duke and Duchess shared equally in the cordial reception extended them during their visit from October 11 to 17. Persons from all walks of life turned out to cheer the royal couple on their arrival. The Duke and Duchess were received by Mayor Jackson, and later greeted about 1,200 friends at an open-air reception at the club house.

State Officers.

Governor, Herbert R. O'Conor; Secretary of State, Thomas Elmo Jones; Attorney General, William C. Walsh; State Treasurer, Hooper S. Miles; State Comptroller, J. Millard Tawes; State Superintendent of Schools, Albert S. Cook; Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Milton A. Record.

United States Senators:

Millard E. Tydings, George L. Radcliffe.

1940: Maryland

Area and Population.

Maryland, thirteenth among the original states, has an area of 12,327 sq. mi. In population it ranks 28th, numbering 1,821,244 according to the 1940 census, an increase of 11.6 per cent over the 1930 census figure. Of the 1930 population, whites numbered 1,354,170, and Negroes, 276,379; other races, 977.

Baltimore, which ranked 8th in size among the cities according to the 1930 census, moved up to 7th with a population of 859,100, according to the 1940 census. Other large cities in the state are Cumberland, 39,493; Hagerstown, 32,491. The capital is Annapolis, 13,069.

Industry.

Business conditions throughout the state continued during 1940 to show a marked improvement over the previous year. The industrial employment index for January through September, was 106.7, a gain of 12.8 over the corresponding period of 1939; while the industrial payroll index also increased to 128.1, a 19.5 gain.

Maryland is one of the country's oldest and most productive manufacturing states. The annual gross value of its industrial output normally exceeds one billion dollars, while the value added by manufacture is upwards of $430,000,000. The 2,700 factories operating within the state afford employment for 146,000 wage earners and 18,000 salaried employees, and the total outlay for wages and salaries, according to the 1937 Federal Census of Manufactures, amounted to nearly $200,000,000. The combined expenditures in that year for materials, electric energy, and supplies for use in manufacture were approximately $665,000,000.

Despite its comparatively small area, Maryland has the largest manufacturing industry of any state east of the Mississippi river and south of the Mason and Dixon Line, except North Carolina. In or near the city of Baltimore are located the world's largest copper refinery, bichromate factory, sulphuric acid plant, industrial alcohol works, tin decorating plant, and spice and extract factory. One of the largest single airplane construction units, and the largest producing plants of bottle closures and paint brushes are also located there, while the huge Bethlehem steel plant, the largest on tidewater, has an annual ingot capacity of 3,000,000 tons, and gives employment to approximately 23,000 workers. In total water-borne commerce, Baltimore has attained the rank of the second seaport of the United States; it is first in intercoastal shipments westward through the Panama Canal. In 1937 approximately 28,000,000 tons of cargo, valued at more than one billion dollars, were handled there.

The state's oyster, crab and fishing industry amounts to over $3,500,000 annually.

Education.

The total enrollment for 1939-40 in the state's 1,354 public schools was 298,702. Current expenditures for public education amounted to $20,320,104. The high schools continued to attract an increasing number of pupils; the total county enrollment showed an increase of 2,006 pupils, reaching a peak of 43,310 in 1940. Inhabitants of school age (5-18), including those in private and parochial schools, numbered 402,295.

The new state minimum salary schedule for white county teachers and principals, enacted by the 1939 Legislature, went into effect in September, 1939. The average salary paid the 8,892 teachers during 1939-40 was $1,690, a slight increase over the average for 1938-39. In the spring of 1940 Governor O'Conor appointed a School Survey Commission consisting of state and county school officials. Dr. Herbert B. Bruner was appointed by the Commission to direct the survey. Twenty-three high schools were studied by their own staffs and by outside committees to determine the strengths and weaknesses according to the 'Evaluative Criteria' developed by the Cooperative Study of Secondary School Standards of the American Council on Education.

Through consolidation of schools and transportation of pupils, there were 51 fewer white and 33 fewer Negro one-teacher elementary schools than in the preceding year. Three counties organized 14 additional special classes for mentally handicapped children, bringing the total number of such classes to 50, with an enrollment of 1,080. Additional evening classes for adults were organized as a result of the appropriation of $10,000 for the purpose in the State Public School Budget. Through these state funds together with Federal vocational, and county funds, nearly 8,000 individuals took advantage of the opportunity for further education in vocational, and general fields. Maryland was the first state to organize training classes in the essential defense industries, in connection with the National Defense Training Program, for which Federal funds were made available.

Finances.

When the fiscal year ended on September 30, 1940, the state's cash balance stood at $18,998,501.13. The bonded indebtedness was further reduced by $1,997,000, bringing the total state indebtedness to $44,166,000. The state's income from all sources during the year amounted to $6,797,172.69. Disbursements for the same period amounted to $60,688,404.90. The amount spent for relief amounted to $4,216,057.17, a drop of over $3,000,000 in the amount spent during 1939. In addition to this amount the Federal Government spent $3,500,772.85 in the state for relief.

Banking.

On June 30, 1940. Maryland had 63 National Banks, with deposits of $311,802.000, loans of $68,994.000, and investments worth $181,717,000. The 114 State Banks had deposits of $350,691,370, loans of $115,902,250, and investments worth $110,586,588. The 12 Mutual Savings Institutions had deposits of $228,012,720, loans of $38,010,740, and investments of $166,139,873.

Transportation, Bridges.

The year 1940 marked a great advance in the improvement of motor vehicle transportation. Early in the summer a new four-lane toll bridge over the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace was opened to traffic; this, with the completion of the new dual lane on U. S. Highway No. 1, will greatly improve traffic conditions between Maryland and Philadelphia, New York, and points north. Early in December the new $5,000,000 toll bridge (10,050 ft.) across the Potomac River was opened to traffic. This bridge shortens the distance between Baltimore and Richmond and the South, by 18 miles, and enables through traffic to avoid the congestion of Washington's streets. By the end of the year the state took over the privately owned Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry, which connects the Eastern and Western Shores of the state. After 24 years of discussion, the state finally agreed to purchase the ferry for slightly more than $1,000,000, after abandoning the idea of constructing a bridge across the Chesapeake Bay.

Political Events.

In the November elections President Roosevelt carried the state by about 59 per cent of the total votes cast, and Senator Radcliffe, Democrat, won a landslide victory over his Republican opponent, former Governor Harry W. Nice.

State Officers.

Governor, Herbert R. O'Conor; Secretary of State, Francis Petrott; Attorney General, William C. Walsh; State Treasurer, Hooper S. Miles; State Comptroller, J. Millard Tawes; State Superintendent of Schools, Albert S. Cook; Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Milton A. Record.

United States Senators:

Millard E. Tydings; George L. Radcliffe.

1939: Maryland

Area and Population.

First settled in 1634, Maryland was in 1776 the thirteenth original state. With an area of 12,327 sq. mi. (including 2,368 sq. mi. of water), it ranks 41st in size among the states. In population it ranks 28th, numbering 1,631,526 according to the census of 1930; 1,679,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. Of the 1930 population, whites numbered 1,354,170; Negroes, 276,379; other races, 977. The native-born were 1,535,196; foreign-born, 96,330.

The largest cities are Baltimore, 804,874 (1930 census); Cumberland, 37,747; Hagerstown, 30,861. The capital is Annapolis, 12,531.

Agriculture.

Maryland leads the states in the packing of tomatoes and stands high also for production of strawberries, spinach and sweet potatoes.

In addition to farming, the oyster, crab and fishing industry amounts to over $3,500,000 annually.

Mineral Products.

Production of bituminous coal, which furnished in 1937 about one third of the total value of the state's mineral products (amounting in that year to $10,634,854) was reduced to an estimated 1,306,000 tons in 1938, compared with the figure of the previous year, 1,548,980 tons valued at $3,315,000. The output of coke was also proportionately lower; 1,105,262 tons as against 1,513,651 in 1937. Shipments of pig iron amounted in 1938 to 1,219,611 tons. Sand and gravel shipments in 1938 added the sum of $1,831,548 to the total value of the state's minerals.

Industry.

Business conditions at the beginning of the year were about on a par with conditions in 1938. There was, however, a steady rise from a low in January of 89.4, in industrial employment, to 101.6 in September, while industrial payrolls also increased from 97.9 in January to 117.5 in September.

Baltimore, the eighth largest city in the United States on the basis of total population, is one of the country's outstanding industrial and commercial centers. In addition to having some of the largest industrial enterprises of their kind in existence, Baltimore has unexcelled rail transportation facilities which, with regular domestic and overseas steamship services to all principal seaports, insures rapid and convenient access to all markets and sources of raw material. Unlike many of the important industrial centers of the country, Baltimore's economic welfare is not dependent upon any one industry or group of industries. The 1,800 factories located in the city and environs manufacture hundreds of separate classes of products. The local plants normally afford employment for over 100,000 wage earners and 15,000 salaried employees, and the aggregate value of their annual output, according to the 1937 Federal Census, exceeds $925,000,000. The combined expenditure in that year for materials, fuel, power, and supplies for use in manufacture, amounted to more than $573,000,000, while the total outlay for wages and salaries was nearly $160,000,000.

Located near Baltimore is the largest tidewater steel plant in the world, the Bethlehem Steel Co. at Sparrows Point, which employs over 22,000 persons. Also located nearby, on Middle River, is the Glen L. Martin Airplane Mfg. Co., the largest single airplane construction unit in the world, where about 11,000 persons are employed. Located in Maryland are also the largest plants in the world devoted to the manufacture of stainless steel, tin containers, bottle closures, spices and extracts, also the world's largest producers of alcohol, fertilizer, bichromate, paint brushes, brooms, and straw hats, and the largest copper refinery in the world. What may become one of Maryland's largest industries is now under way in Harford County, just outside Baltimore; the Bata Shoe Company, which was formerly located in Czecho-Slovakia, is expected to spend $1,000,000 each year for the next seven years on construction. New duplex homes are being constructed for the workers, and a complete village will soon be located near the factory, with churches, schools, a theater, and a modern sewage plant. When completed this will probably be the largest shoe factory in the world.

In total water-borne commerce, Baltimore has attained the rank of second seaport of the United States; it is second in foreign trade tonnage; second in imports; and first in intercoastal shipments westward through the Panama Canal. Approximately 28,000,000 tons of cargo, valued at more than one billion dollars were handled in 1937. Recently Baltimore was brought twenty-four hours closer to north Atlantic and European ports by the enlargement of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to admit deep-draft ships.

Education.

Total enrollment for 1938-39 in the state's 1,454 schools was 298,123. Current expenditure for public education amounted to $20,228,593. The high schools continued to attract an increasing number of pupils, the total white county enrollment showed an increase of 6,590 pupils, reaching a peak of 41,204 in 1939. The further extension and improvement of transportation facilities was responsible for the greater part of the increase in high-school enrollment, as well as in the elementary schools. Inhabitants of school age (5-18) numbered 404,416, according to the November 1938 census.

The most interesting educational developments in Maryland during 1938-39 were the continued growth in high-school enrollment; the extension of the educational and vocational guidance program to one or more high schools in each county; the evaluation of a number of county high schools by means of the 'Evaluative Criteria' developed by the Staff of the Cooperative Study of Secondary School Standards; the publication of bulletins helpful to county high school teachers of English and science, and with reference to the problems of democracy; progress in curriculum revision of social studies for elementary school pupils; extension of art instruction; additional classes for mentally handicapped pupils in the counties and for physically handicapped children in county institutions.

The 1939 Legislature set up a new salary schedule for white teachers, provided funds for night schools and for physical education work with county girls, and prompted transportation safety through more careful school-bus regulations. A state law now requires motorists to come to a full stop both in front of and behind a school bus which has stopped to take on or discharge children. A decision recently handed down by the United States District Court, that Negro schoolteachers who are as well qualified as white teachers must receive equal salaries, will probably affect all counties in the State and may create a precedent that will be followed in other states as well. The average salary paid the 8,913 teachers during 1938-39 was $1,647, a slight increase over the average for 1937-38.

The University of Maryland is nearing completion of a $2,400,000 building program which has enlarged the plant of the institution by approximately 35 per cent. This expansion is necessary to take care of the rapid growth in student enrollment, which increased from 3,192 students in 1931 to 4,911 in 1939; and to provide additional facilities for research and extension service to the people of the state. The most interesting project in the current program is the restoration of the historic old Rossbourg Inn, built in 1798, the oldest building on the campus. It formerly served as one of the stopping places on the main post road running between Baltimore and the North. The facilities of Baltimore's professional schools are being increased through the new Medical Research Laboratory; two additional floors for the University Hospital; and additions to the Dentistry Building and the Nurses' Home. Funds for the program were provided by an appropriation from the state Legislature, private gifts, and a Public Works Administration grant.

Political Events.

As no state-wide elections were held during the year there were few political events of importance. Governor O'Conor's legislative program, as well as his appointments, which went to men of high standing many of whom had never before held political positions, met with general approval.

Legislation.

The Legislature convened on January 4th for the regular biennial session, lasting for 90 days. Governor O'Conor, who took office in January, submitted a balanced budget, through the medium of taxes on real estate, beer, wine, liquor, theater admissions, recordings of certain instruments, music boxes, wagers on races, income, etc. For the first time in the history of the state, funds for relief were included and made part of the regular state budget.

The outstanding legislative acts passed during the 1939 session were as follows; providing for a Constitutional amendment that the Governor shall not be eligible to succeed himself; for the appointment of Trial Magistrates in the several counties of the state on a salary basis, to replace the old Justice of the Peace system, which depended on the fee basis; replacement of coroners by Deputy Medical Examiners, who must be licensed doctors of medicine, appointed by the newly created Department of Post Mortem Examiners; establishing additional educational requirements for admission to the bar, i.e. one year of college education after January 1940, and two years of college education after 1941. It was also made unlawful for any female below the age of 16 or any male below the age of 18 to marry, or for a parent to permit such marriage, or for any female between the ages of 16 and 18 or any male under 21 to marry unless consent has been given by parent or guardian in a signed affidavit. A Legislative Council was created, composed of 14 members of the General Assembly and the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, whose function shall be to prepare a legislative program in the form of recommendations or bills to be presented to the next session of the General Assembly. The speed limit was increased on dual highways from 45 to 55 miles per hour. The Legislature amended the Election Laws relating to the nomination of candidates for state-wide offices and eliminating second-choice voting — this was brought about chiefly because of the last election, which proved that the then existing law was so complicated that nearly two weeks were required after the election before the results were definitely known.

Finances.

When the fiscal year ended September 30, 1939, the state's cash balance stood at $14,889,733.34. This represented a decrease of $1,090,741.65 from 1938. State-owned property increased in value from $160,219,111.66 in 1938 to $177,380,882.19, a gain of $7,161,770.53 during the year. The bonded indebtedness was reduced by $2,084,000.00, bringing the total state indebtedness to $46,163,000.00, at the close of business on Sept. 30, 1939. The state's income from all sources during the year amounted to $66,061,555.81, an increase of more than $4,000,000 over 1938. Disbursements for the same period amounted to $67,152,297.46. The amount spent for relief amounted to $7,688,026.74. In addition to this amount the Federal Government spent $3,153,721.59 for relief in the state during the year.

Banking.

On June 30, 1939, Maryland had 63 National Banks with deposits of $268,496,000, loans totaling $63,972,000, and investments worth $182,913,000. The 115 State Banks had deposits of $321,945,000, loans of $104,983,000 and investments of $119,063,000. The 12 Mutual Savings Institutions had deposits of $224,525,000, loans of $38,440,000 and investments of $171,641,000.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, Herbert R. O'Conor; Secretary of State, Francis Petrott; Attorney General, William C. Walsh; State Treasurer, Hooper S. Miles; State Comptroller, J. Millard Tawes; State Superintendent of Schools, Albert S. Cook; Adjutant General, Brig. Gen, Milton A. Record.

United States Senators.

Millard E. Tydings, George L. Radcliffe.

1938: Maryland

Area and Population.

First settled in 1634, Maryland was in 1776 the thirteenth original state. With an area of 12,327 sq. mi. (including 2,386 sq. mi. of water), it ranks 41st in size among the states. In population it ranks 28th, numbering 1,631,526 according to the census of 1930; 1,679,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. Of the 1930 population, whites numbered 1,354,170; Negroes, 276,379; other races, 977. The native-born were 1,535,196; foreign-born, 96,330.

The largest cities are Baltimore, 804,874 (1930 census); Cumberland, 37,747; Hagerstown, 30,861. The capital is Annapolis, 12,531.

Agriculture.

Maryland packs more tomatoes than any other state in the Union, and is one of the leading states for strawberries, spinach and sweet potatoes.

In addition to farming, the oyster, crab and fishing industry amounts to over $3,500,000 annually.

Mineral Products.

Coal and clay are the leading items among Maryland's native minerals. Production of coal, 1,570,000 tons in 1937, was somewhat less than in 1936, when 1,703,589 tons were produced with a value of $3,351,000. Clay products had a value of $3,577,593 in 1936. There was a 25 per cent rise in the state's production of coke in 1937, from 1,217,039 tons in 1936 to 1,513,752 tons. Pig iron production also rose, from 1,216,065 tons to 1,554,296.

Education.

Total enrollment for 1937-38 in the state's 1,526 schools was 294,691. Current expenditures for public education amounted to $19,427,990. The high schools continued to attract an increasing number of pupils, the total white county enrollment reaching a peak of 34,614 in 1937-38. The extension and improvement of transportation facilities made it possible for 14,568 white pupils living far from high schools to take advantage of the opportunity for further education. There were 35,974 county white elementary pupils transported to school in 1937-38, an increase of nearly 1,900 over the preceding year. This increase has accompanied a reduction in the number of one-teacher schools, through their consolidation with larger schools in which children may benefit from better instructional opportunities. A program of educational and vocational guidance has been inaugurated throughout the state, with a member of the staff of the State Department of Education as supervisor. Every teacher in the state who had a salary cut in 1933 benefited by complete restoration in 1937-38. The average salary paid the 8,602 teachers during 1937-38 was $1,595, which was an increase of $115.00 over the average for 1936-37.

Legislation.

The Legislature sits biennially in odd years, the next regular session opening on Jan. 4, 1939.

Political Events.

The overwhelming expression of popular choice (more than 200,000 majority) given to Senator Millard E. Tydings over his Republican opponent, Judge Oscar Leser, in the general election of November 1938, brought to a close a Senatorial contest marked in its primary stages by bitterness and factional strife. A situation without precedent in the political history of the state was created by the entrance of the President of the United States into the primary campaign, in his attempt to 'purge' the Senate. President Roosevelt spoke at Denton, Salisbury, and Morgantown, urging the voters to send former Representative David J. Lewis to the Senate to replace Senator Tydings, whom he had termed an enemy of the New Deal. The Maryland campaign thus became a contest of national interest and importance. Despite the New Deal efforts, however, Senator Tydings was nominated in the primaries by a huge majority, winning in all but four counties.

After a bitter primary contest also for the Democratic nomination for Governor, the final results, which were not known until nearly three weeks after the primary, showed that the former Attorney General, Herbert R. O'Conor, had been nominated. The campaign was fought chiefly on the issues of former Governor Nice's four-year record. The Democrats charged him with mismanagement, bad appointments, and increasing the state debt by over $13,000,000.00. Mr. O'Conor won the election by the greatest majority ever given a Maryland candidate for that office.

At the polls on Nov. 8, the people approved the law which requires a two-day wait after a marriage license has been issued before a ceremony can take place; at the same time they defeated a proposed amendment to the Constitution which would have permitted the state to impose a graduated state income tax.

Finances.

The state's cash balance stood at $15,980,474.99, when the fiscal year ended September 30, 1938. This represented an increase of $2,024,926.32 over 1937. State-owned property increased in value from $152,692,243.92 in 1937 to $160,219,111.66, a gain of $7,526,868.64 during the year. Bonded indebtedness increased to $1,835,000 during the year, bringing the total state indebtedness to $48,247,000 at the close of business on Sept. 30, 1938. The state's income from all sources during the year amounted to $61,380,911.32. Disbursements for the same period were $59,355,985. The amount spent for relief amounted to $6,719,221.57. In addition to this amount the Federal Government spent $2,874,904.91 for relief in the state during the year.

Banking.

On June 30, 1938, Maryland had 63 National Banks with deposits of $242,200,000, loans of $63,336,000 and investments of $172,811,000. The 121 State Banks had deposits of $275,286,000, loans of $103,154,000 and investments of $122,321,000. The 12 Mutual Savings Institutions had deposits of $223,285,000, loans of $42,154,000 and investments of $176,047,000.

State Officers.

As a result of the elections of November, 1938, the chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, Herbert R. O'Conor: Secretary of State, John B. Gontrum: Attorney General, William C. Walsh; State Treasurer, Hooper S. Miles; State Comptroller, J. Millard Taws; State Superintendent of Schools, Albert S. Cook; Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Milton A. Record.

Judiciary:

Chief Judge, Court of Appeals, Carroll T. Bond; Associate Judges, Edward S. Deleplaine (succeeding Hammond Urner, retired), T. Scott Offutt, D. Lindley Sloan, F. Neal Parke, Walter J. Mitchell, Benjamin A. Johnson, W. Mason Shehan.

United States Senators:

Millard E. Tydings, George L. Radcliffe.