1942: Massachusetts

Area and Population.

The total land area of the state is 7,907 sq. mi. according to new measurements compiled in 1940. Formerly the area was computed at 8,257 sq. mi., including 350 sq. mi. of inland water surface.

The population on Apr. 1, 1940, according to the 16th Federal census was 4,316,721 which represents an increase of 76,107, or 1.6 per cent, as compared with the population in 1930. The leading cities, with populations from the 1940 census, are as follows: Boston, 770,816; Worcester, 193,694; Springfield, 149,554; Fall River, 115,428; Cambridge, 110,879; New Bedford, 110,341; Somerville, 102,177; and Lowell, 101,389.

Education.

The school population of the state for the year ending June 30, 1941 (ages 5 to 16 years) was 758,456, an increase over the preceding year of 5,415.

Principals, supervisors, and teachers in public day schools, including kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high schools, on Jan. 1, 1942, numbered 25,941.

Industry.

The Division of Employment Security reports a falling off of 24 per cent in initial unemployment claims; the respective totals being 233,500 and 1,187,972 in 1942, as against 306,528 and 1,726,374 in 1941. A special study was made by the Division on the employment of women in industry engaged almost entirely in war work. The study was limited to employers with pay rolls of over 200 workers. It was found that there were 564 manufacturing establishments in this category, and that their employees totaled 551,858, of whom 161,246 or less than 29.2 per cent, were women.

The index of industrial activity in Massachusetts, using the average years 1925, 1926 and 1927 as a base of 100, showed a composite index figure for January 1942 of 106. This index is based upon production of shoes, cotton textiles, building construction, electric power, and industrial employment. The composite index figure varied during the first nine months of the year from a low of 101 in February to a high of 123 in July.

In August and September there was a decided falling off in new building. The index for this special industry fell to 17.2, the lowest in many months since 1935. The cotton textile index only once rose above 70, and frequently was down as low as 60. In the month of September it was reported that 53 per cent of Massachusetts factory employees were engaged wholly in war production.

Transportation.

Coastwise shipping has stopped almost completely. Normally 95 per cent of the fuel oil and gasoline consumed in the state is brought to Boston and other ports by tankers. The submarine menace has made it impossible to ship any oil by tanker; consequently the state is limited to such shipments as can come in by railroad tank cars.

The railroads have transported a record number of such cars from oil-distributing points in the Midwest, but still there is not enough oil for all purposes. Automobiles are largely limited to three gallons per week, and a larger number of homes and commercial buildings have been converted from oil to coal.

The railroads of the state have been carrying record numbers of passengers on all trains. The increased income of such railroads as the New York, New Haven and Hartford, and its subsidiaries, which have been in bankruptcy for several years, may make it possible to reorganize the capital structures so that receiverships may be terminated.

Defense Program.

The war activities of Massachusetts have generally paralleled the developments in other states, particularly those on the seacoast. War production has been speeded up in existing factories, but except for a new shipbuilding plant at Hingham and some enlargement of existing plants there has been no heavy construction program.

The state has organized and developed a very efficient Committee on Civilian Defense, with the historic name 'Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety.' A similar committee was organized in this state in the last World War. The first committee under this name functioned in Massachusetts during the Revolution. Under the auspices of this committee over 70,000 citizens have been organized and trained as air-raid wardens, auxiliary policemen and auxiliary firemen, or as members of the Women's Civilian Defense Corps.

During the year Boston and other parts of the state held periodic blackouts and practice air raid warnings. Because of the danger of silhouetting coastal vessels against a skyglow caused by excessive illumination in cities and towns within 40 miles of the shore, it has been necessary to order a dimout in this area every night. The dimout regulations require a shading of all street lights and the practical elimination of lights in store windows and office buildings. Even in homes the shades must be drawn to obscure any direct reflection of light.

Massachusetts shipyards built many war craft during the year. The most notable were the aircraft carriers: the Lexington which replaced the 'Queen of the Flat Tops,' and the Bunker Hill.

The war came close to Massachusetts when, on an undisclosed date, the troopship Norness was sunk by 2 German submarine off the coast of Cape Cod. The Navy later disclosed that 88 lives were lost. The survivors were landed at various points on Cape Cod, from Provincetown to Hyannis.

Legislation.

A special session of the General Court was held from January 26th to January 31st. During this session laws were passed covering various phases of legislation, such as establishing daylight saving to conform to Eastern War Time; extending soldiers' relief benefits, and extending the emergency powers of the Governor over all persons and property to meet changing conditions. Executive Orders covered such subjects as blackout and dimout regulations, suspending laws dealing with hours of labor, permitting transportation of supplies and foodstuffs on the Lord's Day, limiting speed of motor vehicles to 40 mi. per hour (later 35 mi.); and providing relief and assistance in case of evacuation of people from any part of the state.

Events of the Year.

A fire in the Cocoanut Grove, a night club in downtown Boston, which occurred at 10 o'clock on Saturday evening, Nov. 28, resulted in the loss of 489 lives. The fire may have been due to defective wiring, or to the careless lighting of a match by a bus boy. In any event, the fire spread with such rapidity that inadequate exits were soon jammed. It was disclosed later that from 900 to 1,000 people were crowded into a space licensed to accommodate 460. The decorations were flimsy imitations of coconut trees and tropical plants, and walls and ceilings were covered with imitation leather. The chemical composition of this material was such that it was highly inflammable, and in burning produced a poisonous gas. The majority of the victims died from the effects of this gas. A Grand Jury investigation resulted in the indictment of 10 persons, including the owners, builders, city officials, and inspectors.

On Nov. 22, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court celebrated its 250th anniversary. This is the oldest court in the United States. It was created by an act of the Legislature in 1692, carrying out the provisions of the Massachusetts Charter granted by King William and Queen Mary.

On Dec. 3, the Boston Symphony Orchestra joined the American Federation of Musicians, under the presidency of James A. Petrillo, thus ending a dispute which had long prevented this orchestra from broadcasting its concerts.

State Officers.

Governor, Leverett Saltonstall; Lieutenant Governor, Horace T. Cahill; Secretary of State, Frederic W. Cook; Treasurer, Francis X. Hurley: Auditor, Thomas J. Buckley; Attorney General, Robert T. Bushnell; Commissioner of Education, Walter F. Downey.

United States Senators:

David I. Walsh, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

1941: Massachusetts

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, Massachusetts ranks 44th in size among the states, with an area of 8,257 sq. mi., including 350 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. In population it ranks 8th, numbering 4,316,721, an increase of 1.6 per cent over the 1930 figure. The largest cities are Boston, the capital, 770,816; Worcester, 193,694; Springfield, 149,554; Fall River, 115,428; Cambridge, 110,879; New Bedford, 110,341; Somerville, 102,177; and Lowell, 101,389.

Education.

The school population of the state, for the year ending June 30, 1940, including children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, was 753,041.

Principals, supervisors, and teachers, in public day schools, kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high schools, on Jan. 1, 1941, numbered 25,656.

Industry.

The Division of Employment Security for the year 1941 reports a total of 88,747 placements, as against 40,532 for the previous year, an increase of 119 per cent. There was a corresponding decrease in the number of claims for unemployment compensation, varying from 46 to 50 per cent compared with the corresponding months of the previous year. For the first time the unemployment compensation trust-fund balance exceeded $100,000,000. On Oct. 31, 1941, there was a peak balance of $101,283,760.73. The increase for the year amounted to $23,582,494.60.

The Index of Industrial Activity in Massachusetts published by the State Planning Board, using the average years 1925, 1926 and 1927 as a base of 100, show a composite Index figure for January 1941 of 98.4. This Index is based upon production of shoes, cotton textiles, building construction, electric power, and industrial employment.

The tendency seems to be a leveling off at approximately 110. New orders received by Massachusetts factories show an increase varying monthly from 37 to 109 per cent.

Defense Activities.

The facilities of the Charlestown Navy Yard have been greatly increased by the acquisition of considerable waterfront property adjoining the Commonwealth Pier and the Army Base in South Boston. Over 100,000 troops have been stationed at the Army camps at Fort Devens, Camp Edwards, and the aviation camp at Chicopee, now called Westover Field. Several other defense projects are under construction. These include the enlargement of the arsenal at Hingham, and the proposed airfield at Weymouth, which will accommodate blimps.

A State Committee on Public Safety charged with the development of a program for civilian defense was appointed by Governor Saltonstall, and received an appropriation of $500,000 from the Legislature. Local committees on public safety have been organized in cities and towns throughout the state.

A further curtailment of coastwise shipping out of the port of Boston resulted from the transfer of ships to the United States Government, for use either as transports or freighters. The Merchants & Miners discontinued service from Boston to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Jacksonville and Miami; the Eastern Steamship Company also discontinued service between Boston and New York. The activities of the port of Boston, however, were greatly increased by lease-lend shipments to Great Britain.

Events of the Year.

The Massachusetts Legislature convened on Jan. 1, and remained in continuous session for ten months, the longest in its history. This was partly accounted for by the fact that for thirty-four days the Senate sat as a Court of Impeachment for the trial of the impeachment of Daniel H. Coakley, a member of the Executive Council. The trial extended from Aug. 5 to Oct. 2. The defendant was found guilty of misfeasance and malfeasance and removed from office.

During the summer Boston was host to many large conventions, including the National Education Association with 12,000 visitors, and the American Library Association with 5,000.

Boston elects a mayor every four years. In 1940 for the first time since 1914 a mayor was eligible to succeed himself. The present mayor, Maurice J. Tobin, was re-elected by 9,300 votes over his nearest opponent, former Mayor James M. Curley.

In 1898 Boston built the first subway in America, extending from Arlington and Boylston Streets to Park and Tremont Streets. At intervals it has been extended to the North Station and to Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue. During 1941 an extension was added carrying the subway out Huntington Avenue as far as the Opera House, with new stations at Mechanics Building and Symphony Hall.

Legislative Matters.

The state's fiscal year was changed from Dec. 1 to July 1, effective July 1, 1943. Coupled with this was an allotment system to control quarterly departmental spending.

A State Guard of 6,000 men was established and equipped. A new defense and commercial airport was established in Bedford to relieve the East Boston airport. The unemployment compensation law was amended to reduce from two weeks to one the waiting period before benefits begin, and the law was extended to cover employers of one or more persons. Two referenda will go on the state ballot in 1942, one for a state fund for workmen's compensation and the other to legalize dissemination of birth-control information.

Local school committees were authorized to permit school children to attend religious education classes one hour a week during school hours. Establishment of two voluntary health-insurance plans were approved. The cigarette tax, the previously increased liquor levies, and the 10 per cent surtax on incomes were continued.

A $21,700,000 bond issue program was approved, consisting of $15,000,000 for elimination of sewerage pollution in Boston Harbor, $4,700,000 for new pier facilities in Boston, and $2,000,000 for state acquisition and expansion of the East Boston airport.

Liberalization of the old-age assistance benefits was agreed upon, funds to be raised by a 3 per cent surtax on incomes and a 5 per cent tax on restaurant, hotel, and other meals costing $1,00 or more bought outside the home. The old-age assistance benefits were increased from $30 to $40, as the minimum monthly benefit for single aged persons not living with relatives. For couples not living with relatives the benefit is raised from $50 to $65. The minimum continues as at present for single persons and couples living with relatives.

Finance.

The abstract of the Bank Commissioner's report dated January 1941, shows that deposits in all Massachusetts banks, including savings banks, trust companies, cooperative banks, credit unions, but no national banks, for the year 1940, amounted to $3,130,616,443.78, a net increase of $52,473,590.05 over 1939.

The latest report of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 1940, shows the net direct debt to be $23,168,898.72 (a decrease for the year, of $8,197,191.41). The net contingent debt for the same period was $63,086,531.55 (a decrease for the year, of $383,340,86).

State Officers.

Governor, Leverett Saltonstall: Lieutenant-Governor, Horace T. Cahill; Secretary of State, Frederic W. Cook; Treasurer, William E. Hurley; Auditor, Thomas J. Buckley; Attorney-General, Robert T. Bushnell; Commissioner of Education, Walter F. Downey.

United States Senators:

David I. Walsh, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

1940: Massachusetts

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states. Massachusetts ranks forty-fourth in size among the states, with an area of 8,266 sq. mi.

The population of the state, according to the 1940 census, is 4,316,721 (a gain of 67,107 over the census of 1930), Massachusetts retaining eighth place among the states of the Union in this respect. Boston, the capital, is also the largest city, with a population of 770,816, a drop of 10,372 since 1930. The Boston metropolitan area, however, which comprises forty-six cities and towns, had a considerable increase in population.

Massachusetts has the distinction of having more cities with populations of 50,000 or over than any other state. Included among the largest are: Worcester, 193,694; Springfield, 149,554; Fall River, 115,428; Cambridge, 110,879; New Bedford, 110,341; Somerville, 102,177; Lowell, 101,389.

The foreign-born white population numbers 1,054,336, approximately one-fourth of the total. About 70 per cent of the foreigners have become naturalized citizens.

Industry.

The industries of the state produced 75 per cent more goods, and paid 47 per cent more wages to 26 per cent less workers than in the year 1916, considered a normal year before the boom. During the year, 183 new industrial concerns began operations.

The Index of Industrial Activities in Massachusetts, published monthly by the State Planning Board, using the average years 1925, 1926 and 1927 as a base of 100, shows a composite index figure of 86.6 for January 1940. This index is based upon production of shoes and cotton textiles, building construction, electric power, and industrial employment. The composite index remained above 80 until June, when it dropped to 77.6. In July, however, it reached 86.5, the highest for any July since 1929. During the last four months of the year, the composite index ranged from 93.2 to 95.4, less than five points below the average of the years 1925, 1926 and 1927.

Banking.

The abstract of the Bank Commissioner's report, dated January 1940, shows deposits in all Massachusetts banks, which include savings banks, trust companies, cooperative banks, and credit unions, but no national banks, for 1939, amounting to $3,078,142,853.73, a net increase of $3,577,703.58 over 1938.

Finance.

The latest report of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1939, shows the net direct debt to be $31,366,090.13 (a decrease for the year of $9,318,994.20). The net contingent debt for the same period was $63,469,872.41 (an increase for the year of $4,447,444.88).

The budget appropriation for all state purposes, including the Metropolitan District Commission, for the year 1939, was $91,323,745.42, and for the year 1940 was $89,375,186.25.

Education.

The school population of the state at the beginning of the year 1940, including children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, was 772,744. These children were cared for in 2,019 schools for elementary grades, 183 junior high schools, and 263 senior high schools. The total outlay for school purposes for the year was $73,737,575.47. The cost per pupil in average attendance was $107.62. Teachers, supervisors, and principals numbered 26,006, and salaries for this group totaled $50,506,174.78.

During the year a study was made by a committee under the direction of the Commissioner of Education for the purpose of determining the facilities offered for vocational and trade-school courses within the state. This was the first step in the development of a defense program for local industries.

Transportation.

The business of the port of Boston has been adversely affected by the European blockade. In addition, several coastwise freight steamship lines carrying wool for Massachusetts mills have curtailed services to the port of Boston, making it necessary to re-ship these cargoes from New York.

The New Haven Railroad, having petitioned the United States Court for reorganization, has already closed sixty-six stations on the Old Colony division serving the South shore and Cape Cod. The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad, the narrow gauge line serving these communities and the town of Winthrop, has abandoned service after seventy-eight years. Bus lines have been commissioned to replace them.

Defense Program.

Three large military camps have been constructed in Massachusetts: at Camp Devens in Ayer, Camp Edwards in Falmouth, and an aviation camp at Chicopee. Barracks for over 100,000 troops have been provided. At the Charlestown Navy Yard and at the Fore River ship-building plant in Quincy naval vessels of all types are under construction.

Events of the Year.

In the year 1940, for the first time since 1780, there was no session held by the Legislature, since the inauguration of biennial sessions began with the year 1939.

Boston weather is either famous or notorious, depending upon the whims of Nature, and Mark Twain on one occasion made a very characteristic after-dinner speech about it. During 1940 the Boston weather bureau was re-established. A local station now makes weather predictions, following upon many years of unsuccessful efforts to predict the Boston weather from as far away as Washington.

The record of the past year reveals many variations from normal. The first snowstorm of the winter did not occur until St. Valentine's Day. It was such a severe storm that thousands of workers were marooned all night in railroad stations and hotel lobbies. Local transportation was completely stopped for several days, and it was no unusual sight to observe clerks and stenographers skiing to work. The storm was equalled in intensity only by the blizzard of 1898, when the Portland boat was lost without a trace. At the end of the year Massachusetts and all of New England experienced two earthquakes. The first on December 20th at 2:30 A.M., and the second on the 24th at 8:45 A.M. Both were severe enough to be felt by everyone, awake or asleep; but fortunately no damage was done.

On the first day of summer, June 21, the temperature was 48° F., the coldest in sixty-nine years; on July 4, the temperature was 57° F., the coldest for that day in forty-four years; on Christmas day, December 25, the temperature rose to 62° F. Thus, Christmas day in Boston was warmer than the Fourth of July in the same year. The hottest day was July 30, with the temperature at 95° F. The coldest day in the summer was Aug. 20, at 46° F.

Boston was host to the American Legion in September, and held the biggest parade in its history in their honor. Shortly after, the seventy-fourth convention of the Veterans of the Civil War was held in Boston, with thirteen veterans, all over 90, in attendance.

Election.

On Nov. 5, over two million voters went to the polls and re-elected the Republican candidate for Governor, Leverett Saltonstall, by 5.588 votes over his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Paul A. Dever. This result was ascertained only after a state-wide recount. While the Republicans were re-electing all other constitutional officers except the state auditor, the Democratic candidate for President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, carried the state by an overwhelming majority, equalled only by that attained by David I. Walsh, the Democratic candidate for United States Senator. Governor Saltonstall is the first governor to be re-elected since Governor Ely.

State Officers.

Governor, Leverett Saltonstall; Lieutenant Governor, Horace T. Cahill; Secretary of State, Frederic W. Cook; Treasurer, William E. Hurley; Auditor, Thomas J. Buckley; Attorney General, Robert T. Bushnell; Commissioner of Education, Walter F. Downey.

United States Senators:

David I. Walsh, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

1939: Massachusetts

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, Massachusetts has an area of 8,266 sq. mi. The estimated population in 1937 was 4,426,000. The latest exact figures, as found in the Massachusetts Decennial Census of 1935, were 4,350,910. The state ranks 44th in size and 8th in population among the states. It has a greater number of cities with 50,000 or more inhabitants than any other state. Nine of these sixteen cities have over 100,000 population, including: Boston (the capital) 817,713; Worcester, 190,471; Springfield, 149,642; Cambridge, 118,075; Fall River, 117,414; New Bedford, 110,022; Lynn, 100,909; Somerville, 100,773; and Lowell, 110,114.

The latest figures obtainable for racial groups are those from the 1930 census. The total population then was 4,249,614, of which 4,192,926 were white, 52,365 Negro, and 4,323 members of other races. The foreign-born white population numbered 1,054,636, of whom 526,733 had been naturalized.

Agriculture.

During the legislative session of 1937, the Massachusetts Industrial and Development Commission was established 'for the promotion and development of the industrial, agricultural and recreational resources of the Commonwealth.' It was intended that a substantial part of the appropriation authorized under this legislation should be used for advertising state farm products.

Education.

In the school year 1937-38, the number of inhabitants of school age (5-16 years), and including 1,942 illiterate minors of from 16 to 21 years of age, was 787,042. This is a decrease of 17,918 from the preceding year. The total enrollment in public schools — elementary, junior high and high — was 729,849, a decrease of 14,853.

The expenditures of all public schools in 1937-38 amounted to $70,639,811; a decrease of $5,900,232 from the last school year. The average cost per pupil was $101.27. Out of the total school appropriation, the sum of $50,537,064.00 was expended for salaries of principals, supervisors and teachers.

Legislative Matters of the Year.

In January 1939 the Massachusetts Legislature, officially known as the Great and General Court, held its first biennial session under a recent amendment of the Constitution which provides that legislative sessions be held in the odd years. The session continued until August 13, the second longest in the history of the state.

Several state departments were reorganized, including the Division of Unemployment Compensation, the Department of Public Welfare, the Department of Civil Service and the Department of Public Works.

The cooperation of the state with the Federal Government for purposes of developing flood-control projects in the regions affected by flood was assured. A similar cooperation has also been provided for salvaging vast amounts of timber felled by the hurricane of 1938. Forests have also been cleared as a safeguard against the menace of forest fire.

New aviation control by state authorities was established which will promote more effectively the development of transportation by air.

A law was enacted making it mandatory on the Labor Relations Commission to recognize craft unions as distinct bargaining units, if a majority of the workers in a plant so desire. The forty-eight hour law was extended to include women and children employed in offices, banks, clubs, and similar places of business. The Fair Trade Law was strengthened.

A bond issue in the amount of $10,000,000 was authorized for the improvement of the north and south metropolitan sewerage districts. A state appropriation in the amount of $100,000 was made to the city of Boston to help cut down the deficit incurred in the operation of the East Boston tunnel.

A redistricting bill for Councilor, Senatorial and Representative districts was passed. The Governor vetoed a bill providing an increase of $1,000 in the salary to members of the Legislature.

Banking.

The 1938 report of the Commissioner of Banks lists the assets of the state's 992 banking institutions as $6,118,495,486.07, an increase for the year of $21,897,081.92.

The statement of condition of all Savings Banks as of the close of business October 31, 1938, sets forth aggregate depositors' balances of approximately $2,123,308,000, which, as compared with $2,142,859,000, on October 30, 1937, shows a decrease of $19,551,000, or about nine-tenths of one per cent. The number of deposit accounts decreased by approximately 35,000 during the year.

In the savings departments of Trust Companies, deposits for the first time in five years showed a decrease for the year amounting to $682,193. The number of depositors, however, has increased by 910 and now aggregates 330,530, the largest number depositing in such saving departments since the year 1931.

During the year ending Oct. 31, 1938, the amount of funds transmitted to foreign countries by the two corporations and one individual authorized to engage in that business, amounted to $244,186, a decrease of $42,476 from the preceding year.

Finance.

The net direct debt of the state on November 30, 1938, the end of the fiscal year, was $40,685,084.33, an increase for the year of $14,045,998.96. The net contingent debt on November 39, 1938, was $59,022,427.53, an increase for the year of $1,253,188.97. The state budget for the year 1939 totaled $80,838,265.37, and for 1940, $80,205,615.25.

Welfare and Correction.

State institutions for correction and welfare include the Massachusetts Reformatory, Concord; Reformatory for Women, Framingham; State Farm, Bridgewater; Industrial School for Boys, Shirley; and Industrial School for Girls, Lancaster.

State schools for mental defectives include the Belchertown State School, Belchertown; Walter E. Fernald State School at Waltham; Wrentham State School, Wrentham.

State Officers.

Governor, Leverett Saltonstall; Lieutenant-Governor, Horace T. Cahill; Secretary of the Commonwealth, Frederic W. Cook; Treasurer and Receiver-General, William E. Hurley; Auditor, Russell A. Wood; Attorney-General, Paul A. Dever; Commissioner of Education, Walter F. Downey.

United States Senators.

David I. Walsh, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

1938: Massachusetts

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, Massachusetts ranks 44th in size among the states, with an area of 8,266 sq. mi. In population it ranks 8th, numbering 4,249,614 according to the census of 1930; 4,426,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. Boston, the capital, is also the largest city, 781,188 (census of 1930). Massachusetts has the distinction of having more cities with populations of 50,000 or over, than any other state. Included among the largest are Worcester, 195,311; Springfield, 149,900; Fall River, 115,274; Cambridge, 113,643; New Bedford, 112,597; Somerville, 103,908; Lynn, 102,320; Lowell, 100,234.

Almost all of the inhabitants of the state are of the white race, only 52,365 are Negroes, and 4,323 are of other races. The foreign-born white population numbers 1,054,636, approximately one fourth of the total. About one half of the foreigners have become naturalized citizens.

Industry.

During the first half of the year there was no improvement over the business conditions of the preceding year, and in some lines there was a recession. During the second half of the year, conditions were reported as 13 per cent better than during the preceding six months; the general advancement for the year as a whole was 7 per cent over the year 1937, as shown by the State Planning Board Index of industrial activity.

The following gains were recorded: industrial employment, 17 per cent; electric power consumption, 12 per cent; new building construction, 6 per cent; shoe production, 30 per cent; cotton textiles, 60 per cent. The number of industrial workers increased nearly 17 per cent in the six months from June to December. Payrolls increased about 20 per cent. During the year there was a drop of about 3 per cent in the cost of living. The Christmas business was the largest in seven years.

Foreign trade, however, dropped heavily. Exports, excluding shipments to Canada, were 28 per cent less than the year before. Imports of foreign goods, excluding those from Canada, declined 50 per cent. New building construction was also slow during the early months of the year, but later showed an increase.

Banking.

The latest banking report is for the year 1937. Total deposits for that year in state banking institutions, which include Savings Banks, Trust Companies, Cooperative Banks and Credit Unions, but no National Banks, aggregated $3,045,456,043, a net increase of $26,091,776 over 1936.

Finance.

The latest report of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth shows that the net direct debt of the state on November 30, 1937, the end of the fiscal year, was $26,639,085.37, a decrease of $4,481,516.96 from 1936. The net contingent debt on November 30, 1937, was $57,769,238.56, a decrease of $1,051,859.44.

Education.

The only legislation affecting education during 1938 was that intended to extend the benefit of free University Extension courses to blind persons, disabled veterans, and to provide higher educational opportunities for the children of Massachusetts men and women who died in the military and naval service of the United States, during the World War, or as a result of such service.

In the school year 1936-37 there were enrolled in the public schools 744,702 of a total school age population of 804,950. Expenditures on the schools in that period amounted to $76,540,043.

Events of the Year.

In January 1938 Massachusetts paid the state's first unemployment insurance benefits. During the 1938 session the Legislature killed the sales tax bill. In June Governor Hurley signed a bill suspending workers' contributions to unemployment compensation. Boston's tax rate of $41.30 for 1938 is the highest in her history.

The Hurricane.

On the afternoon and early evening of Sept. 21, a hurricane, unparalleled in local history, swept from the southeast, across the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont, bringing the worst devastation in the history of New England. Old newspapers carried the story of a similar storm in exactly the same area just 123 years before, Sept. 23, 1815. Since at that time the area was not densely populated, the losses were not nearly as great.

During the hurricane, which had not been predicted by the Weather Bureau, the wind varied in intensity from 75 to 100 miles an hour and carried a sweep of water along with it. The storm tide was 11 feet higher than normal, and on top of this were waves 30 feet high which inundated the southeastern coastline of Massachusetts from Westport to Cape Cod. The neighboring state of Rhode Island suffered even greater damage than Boston. The eastern limit of the hurricane passed over the city of Boston, but did not affect the south shore from Boston to Plymouth.

For several days preceding the hurricane, heavy rains in the western section of the state, and in New Hampshire and Vermont, brought the rivers of these sections to flood stages. Large areas in the Connecticut valley were inundated. The cities of Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Chicopee were saved from destruction only by the erection of temporary levees constructed with bags filled with sand. The flood reached its highest stage on the morning of the hurricane and had not receded by the time the hurricane swept over the flood waters.

Thousands of persons were en route to their homes when the storm came. Travelers by automobile reported narrow escapes from falling trees. Passengers on railroad trains were marooned all night and part of the next day. For days after the hurricane cities and towns were in darkness caused by the loss of power facilities; homes were without electric and telephone service. Communication with the rest of the country was at a standstill, as was transportation. Only the Portland division of the Boston and Maine Railroad operated on schedule. The Shore Line of the New Haven Railroad to New York City was out of commission for three weeks.

The Governor's commission on Emergency Relief reported property and economic loss to Massachusetts in excess of $300,000,000. On October 27 the Legislature voted $14,250,000 for hurricane damage.

In the area covered by the hurricane, 682 persons lost their lives. Of these, 187 were residents of Massachusetts. Within the state, 445 permanent homes and 2,767 summer homes were totally destroyed. In addition, damage was caused to a total of over 30,000 other homes and buildings.

The estimated crop loss was $10,096,000. The destruction of trees was even greater. Every section within the hurricane area suffered the loss of the most beautiful trees. The value of the fallen timber was estimated at $150,000,000, some of which may be salvaged by the subsequent sale of the lumber. The United States Forestry department counted 120,000,000 trees blown down, about 10 per cent of the trees in the hurricane area. The falling of the trees frequently pulled down adjacent telephone, telegraph and electric wires. The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, in its account of the hurricane, said that one quarter of its 1,223,000 telephones were without service. Radio was the only means of communication between Providence and Boston. Whole sections of Cape Cod could communicate with the rest of the world, including Boston, only by making use of the Naval Radio service.

Election.

On Nov. 8, 1938, in a Republican landslide, Leverett Saltonstall was elected Governor, defeating former Governor James M. Curley, by a plurality of 148,805 votes. He is the first Republican to be elected Governor of the state since Governor Allen's term which began in 1930. Paul A. Dever, re-elected Attorney-General by 140,232 votes, was the only Democrat elected to state-wide office.

State Officers.

As the result of the November election the chief state officers are as follows: Governor, Leverett Saltonstall; Lieutenant Governor, Horace T. Cahill; Secretary of State, Frederic W. Cook; Treasurer, William F. Hurley; Auditor, Russell A. Wood; Attorney General, Paul A. Dever.

United States Senators:

David I. Walsh, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.