1942: Nevada

Area and Population.

Originally a part of Utah Territory, Nevada was carved from it in 1861 as a territory and became a full-fledged state in 1864. The area of 110,540 sq. mi. includes 738 sq. mi. of inland water surface. The population is 110,247 (1940 census). Thus this western state, greater in area than all of New England has a population less than Peoria, Illinois. The capital is Carson City (2,478), the smallest capital city in the United States. The state's largest cities are Reno (21,317); Las Vegas (8,927); and Sparks (5,918). There are 10,599 foreign-born residents in Nevada and, according to the January 1943 census release, this total includes 2,258 native-born Italians; 733 native-born Germans; and 147 natives of Finland. From England came 755 and from far-off Australia 40.

Education.

On Jan. 1, 1943, the total number of inhabitants of school age numbered 27,105, including 1,106 kindergarten pupils. The number of elementary schools was 247, with 19,702 pupils. High schools numbered 40 with 6,290 pupils.

The expenditures for public schools during the 1941-42 period totalled $1,314,640.05, not including county and Federal assistance. The average salary paid in 1942 to Nevada elementary teachers was $1,460, and high school teachers averaged $1,900. In the fall of 1942 increased population in the Reno, Hawthorne, and Las Vegas areas, caused by war industries, necessitated the granting of Federal aid to the schools of these sections and threw a great strain on their facilities. Training courses to assist in the war effort were featured in many schools.

Agriculture.

Livestock raising is the principal industry of Nevada's farmers, the hay crop and vast natural growth of grasses on the 70,000,000 acres of range land being used almost entirely for the feeding of cattle, sheep, and horses. Ninety per cent of the land devoted to field crops is irrigated.

In 1942 production of milk and butter increased over 25 per cent. Poultry raising also increased to meet the requirements of war, in spite of the labor shortage.

Minerals.

Nevada is essentially a mining state and during 1942 production of copper, lead, zinc, manganese, mercury, and tungsten was greatly increased to meet war's demand. Deposits of barium, gypsum, glass sands, limestone and dumortierite were worked and the tonnage of brucite and magnesite produced was large. Much of the output was shipped to California plants, but the $100,000,000 magnesium plant at Las Vegas was in production at the end of the year.

The total value of Nevada's gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc production in 1941 was $38,873,169. Gold production declined in 1941 and enforced closing down of many gold and silver mines made a further decline in the production of those metals in 1942, but demand for the strategic metals resulted in a large increase in total production in 1942 and even larger totals are forecast for 1943.

Legislative Matters and Defense Measures.

Little of legislative interest occurred in 1942, no special session being called by Governor Carville. Every effort was made by the state to streamline the war effort, and Nevada's Council of Defense, in efficient operation prior to the declaration of war, has served as a pattern for tardier states. Expenditures of the Council were $5,315.00 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942.

On Dec. 31, 1942, the state had in operation 11 standard and 20 secondary airports, and at the end of the year construction was going forward on four large training airports, in addition to extended facilities at the Hawthorne Naval Station.

Finances.

Nevada's prosperity in 1942 was reflected in the financial set-up. The six State Banks had deposits of $5,286,541.96 and resources of $5,798,622.71 as of June 30, 1942, the ensuing six months showing an even greater increase. Of the six National Banks, the First National Bank of Nevada with nine branches in the state was the largest institution; the Ely National Bank has one branch at McGill. The National Banks had total deposits of $50,738,257.98 and total resources of $54,831,479.50 at the close of business on June 30, 1942.

State receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, were $8,797,892.32 while disbursements were $8,180,455.90. The outstanding bonded indebtedness of the state on June 30, 1942, amounted to $649,000. On July 1, 1942, bonds were redeemed in the sum of $53,000, leaving a balance of state indebtedness of $596,000.

All outstanding bonds are held by various departments of the state, purchased for the benefit of trust funds, as Nevada has no bonded debt to outside interests. Total securities held by the state treasury on June 30, 1942, were $11,577,117.31, reflecting the sound condition of Nevada. The amount spent for public assistance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, was $29,375.51; for social security and old-age assistance, $839,340.83. The balance in the Nevada unemployment fund with the U. S. Treasury as of June 30, 1942, was $2,088,955.87. The cash balance in the state Treasury on June 30, 1942, was $1,781,461.00.

State Officials.

Governor, E. P. Carville; Lieutenant Governor, Vail Pittman; Secretary of State, Malcolm McEachin; Treasurer, Dan W. Franks; Controller, Henry C. Schmidt; Auditor, Don La Rue; Attorney General, Alan H. Bible; and Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mildred Bray.

United States Senators:

Pat McCarran, James C. Scrugham.

1941: Nevada

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood Oct. 31, 1864, Nevada ranks 6th in size among the states, with an area of 110,540 sq. mi.; included in this total area are 738 sq. mi. of inland water surface. In population the state ranks 48th, numbering 110,247 according to the United States census of 1940, an increase of 21.1 per cent since 1930. Reno, Nevada's largest city, has a population of 21,317. The next largest city is Las Vegas, 8,422. The capital, Carson City, with 2,478, is by far the smallest capital city in the United States. The population is racially divided as follows; native white, 93,431, foreign-born white 10,599, other races 6,217. The total area of Indian reservations and settlements is approximately 800,000 A., with an Indian population of 5,891.

Education.

In 1940-41 the total school enrollment was 21,695, a substantial increase over that of the 1939-1940 school year. Enrollment was divided as follows: kindergarten, 931; elementary schools, 14,853; high schools, 5,911. The number of elementary schools was 240, high schools 40, and kindergartens, 15. The state employed 928 teachers, of whom 284 were men and 644 women. Their compensation in salaries totalled $1,528,734.00. The average yearly salary paid in 1941 to teachers in the elementary schools was $1,449, as compared with $1,433 in the 1930-1940 school year; and $1,883 to high-school teachers, as compared with $1,866 in the previous school year. There were 1,581 pupils graduated in the elementary schools in 1941, and 1,055 pupils in the high schools. The total amount paid for education in Nevada during the 1940-41 school year was $2,894,156.40.

The 1941 State Legislature provided an increased amount for educational programs, including the financing of the already planned building program at the University of Nevada. Through the active cooperation of the Department of Education, shop facilities were added in many schools, as a material aid to the National Defense program.

Agriculture.

On April 1, 1940, Nevada had 3,573 farms with a farm area of 3,785,116 A., of which 451,688 were crop land. On January 1, 1942, there were in the state 338,501 beef cattle, 19,720 dairy cows, 15,522 swine, 513,541 sheep, 204,806 chickens, 7,210 turkeys, 410 geese and 10,233 beehives on farms. Horses numbered 35,154, and mules 1,257. The total value of livestock on farms on April 1, 1941, was $21,272,363.

Industry.

The approximate totals of production of industry in Nevada during 1941 were as follows: value of manufacturing $20,581,713; wholesale gross sales $23,249,000, retail gross sales, $61,828,000; agricultural products, sold and used, $12,132,935; mineral production, $40,000,000; a grand estimated total production of $170,000,000.

Minerals.

The total value of the gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc produced from ores, old tailings, and gravels in Nevada exceeded in 1940 any year since 1918, according to statistics of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. Gold production expanded slightly, and large increases over 1939 were recorded in both quantity and value of each of the four metals. Gold production in Nevada in 1940 was 383,933 fine ounces, with a value of $13,437,655, greater than in any year since 1912; silver, 5,175,928 fine ounces, valued at $3,680,660; copper, 156,908,000 pounds, valued at $17,730,604; lead, 7,998,000 pounds, worth $749,900; and zinc, 23,366,000 pounds, valued at $1,490,958. The total value was $37,089,777. These figures compare with a production in 1939 of 361,518 ounces of gold, 4,316,029 ounces of silver, 133,194,000 pounds of copper, 8,472,000 pounds of lead, and 12,456,000 pounds of zinc — valued in all at $30,480,870.

Nevada's copper output in 1940 increased 14 per cent in quantity and 24 per cent in value over 1939, and was greater in quantity than in any year since 1928, and in value since 1937. In the Robinson district of White Pine County, the Nevada Consolidated Copper Corporation (largest industrial enterprise in the state), continued to hold its position as the state's leading copper producer; this company also operated the McGill copper smelter, the only smelter in Nevada. The Pioche district of Lincoln county accounted for over 60 per cent of the lead production, and almost 90 per cent of the zinc production.

The production of all strategic metals was greatly increased. Tungsten production was 1,748 short tons, the Mill City mines being the largest individual source of tungsten ores in the United States. Mercury and antimony production increased. Nevada will shortly commence heavy production of magnesite; two plants designed to produce metallic magnesium, having a combined capacity of over 60,000 tons of the metal, were planned for operation early in 1942.

Nevada ranks first in the United States in the production of turquoise. Many other semi-precious gems are mined in the state, among them wonderstone, precious opal, rose quartz, lapis-lazuli and bloodstones are especially noted.

Legislative Matters.

In spite of the fact that a legislative session was held in 1941, little of outstanding importance occurred. Much of the activity of the State Legislature could better be classed as shaping events for the coming year, rather than having immediate effect at the time they occurred. Possibly the passage of a driver's license law, approved on March 31, 1941, was the outstanding piece of constructive legislation; this law became effective on July 1, 1941 and has been well administered by the State Highway Department. The passage of a law to permit bookmaking in Nevada, and the passage of large appropriation bills for the benefit of the State University and State Prison, were also noteworthy.

There was continuance of freedom from harassing taxation; no state taxes on income, inheritance, estates, or such intangibles as stocks, bonds, notes, mortgages, bank deposits or securities, and no sales taxes. This demonstrated a continuance of the same sound business principles that have given Nevada a balanced budget and a treasury surplus.

Political and Other Events.

Political activities in Nevada were completely overshadowed by the World War. The appointment of Hugh A. Shamberger as Director of the State Council of Defense by Governor E. P. Carville, resulted in Nevada having a State Council months in advance of America's entry into the World War. The Council was financed by an emergency appropriation of $10,000.00 passed by the 1941 Legislature.

The biggest defense expenditure in Nevada was the commencement of construction of a magnesium plant at Las Vegas, at an estimated cost of $63,000,000, and the development of magnesite at Brucite and Gabbs Valley, with attendant plant construction. The naval ammunition depot near Hawthorne was improved and enlarged at heavy expense. The development of military airports throughout Nevada, as at Reno, Carson City, Austin, and Fallon, was another important defense item.

On Admission Day, October 31, 1941, the former United States Mint building at Carson City was officially dedicated and opened to the public as the Nevada State Museum.

Finance.

The state of Nevada has a treasury surplus and has no bonded debt to outside interests, due to the fact that all outstanding bonds are held by state departments, having been purchased for the benefit of state trust funds. The bonded debt as of June 30, 1941, was $542,000. Trust funds, not including the Nevada Industrial Commission's funds, comprised investments with a par value of $3,390,533.79. Trust funds of the Nevada Industrial Commission, as of June 30, 1941, had a par value of $2,672,000. Nevada received $2,115,580.43 for highway construction and improvements during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941.

The state relief expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, were as follows:

Total resources of the 3 savings and loan associations for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 1941, were $305,575.75. There were 7 National Banks, one of which, the First National Bank of Nevada, had 10 branches operating in Nevada. The combined resources of these banks was $44,712,000, and their deposits, as of June 30, 1941, were $41,153,000. There were 6 State banks with deposits, as of Dec. 31, 1941, of $41,300,000.

State Officers.

Governor, E. P. Carville; Lieutenant Governor, Maurice J. Sullivan; Secretary of State, Malcolm McEachin; State Treasurer, Dan W. Franks; Attorney General, Gray Mashburn; State Controller, Henry C. Schmidt; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mildred Bray; State Auditor, Don G. LaRue.

United States Senators:

Pat McCarran, Berkeley Lloyd Bunker.

1940: Nevada

Area and Population.

First settled in 1849, after the land had been acquired from Mexico, Nevada was made a territory in 1861 and was admitted into the Union as a rapidly growing mining state on Oct. 31, 1864. It ranks 6th in size among the states, with an area of 110,690 sq. mi. In population it ranks 48th, numbering 110,247 according to the U.S. Census of 1940, compared with 91,058 in 1930. Reno has now a population of 21,317, and is the largest city in Nevada. Other cities are Las Vegas, 8,422; Sparks, 5,318; Ely, 4,140; and Elko, 4,094. The capital is Carson City, with 2,478, the smallest capital in the U.S. Of the total population 90 per cent are whites; Indians, Mexicans, and Orientals make up the remaining to per cent. The total area of Indian reservations and colonies, on Jan 1, 1940 was 800,000 acres, and a U.S. Indian Census of that year gave the Indian population of Nevada as 5,462.

Agriculture.

According to the farm census of 1935, Nevada had 3,696 farms with an area of 3,621,796 acres, of which 379,658 were crop land.

On Jan. 1, 1941, there were in the state 360,000 beef cattle, 21,000 dairy cows, 23,000 swine, 840,0000 sheep, 39,000 horses, 2,000 mules and 310,000 chickens.

Mining Products.

The total value of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc products in Nevada in 1939 was $30,480,870, exceeding that of every year since 1929, except 1937.

In 1939, production from 891 lode mines and 104 placer mines amounted to 361,518 fine ounces of gold valued at $12,653,130; 4,316,029 fine ounces of silver valued at $2,929,668; 133,194,000 pounds of copper valued at $13,852,176; 8,472,000 pounds of lead valued at $398,184; and 12,456,000 pounds of zinc valued at $647,712.

Estimates for mineral products during 1940 indicated an increase in the production of all metals. The greater need for strategic metals caused rapid development work in all the mining counties in Nevada. Especially noteworthy was the activity in the mining of tungsten ores, the production of which in 1940 promised again to exceed that of any state in the Union. In 1939 Nevada had produced 2,091 tons of concentrates. Mercury mines throughout Nevada were also active, because of high prices due to war conditions.

The program providing for the expenditure of $1,000,000 for domestic manganese ore beneficiation, by the metallurgical division of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was reported to be well under way at the close of 1940. Plans are being made for the construction of a large pilot plant at Boulder City, Nev., at a cost of $400,000, for the electrolytic beneficiation of manganese ores.

Education.

A building program for the construction of a new engineering building and a gymnasium, at the University of Nevada, in Reno, was well under way at the close of the year. The completed engineering building is to cost $175,000.

In 1940 there were in Nevada 259 elementary schools, 14 kindergartens, and 45 high schools, with 633 elementary teachers, 14 kindergarten teachers, and 268 high school teachers. The total expenditures for schools during the 1939-1940 school year were $3,128,746.82. The average salary of the elementary teachers was $1,433, and of the high school teachers $1,866. Nevada high schools have evidenced, during the year 1940, a greatly increased interest in vocational guidance, the trend being sponsored by the Department of Education. Pupil enrollment in Nevada has shown a 10 per cent increase both in high schools and primary grades.

Finance.

The state of Nevada has a treasury surplus and has no bonded debt to outside interests, as all outstanding bonds are held by various departments of the state, having been purchased for the benefit of state trust funds. The bonded debt outstanding in June 1940, amounted to $513,000. The various trust funds — excepting the Nevada Industrial Commission fund — had investments with a par value of $3,606,964. In June 1940, bonds held in trust for the Commission fund had a value of $2,625,000. Nevada received $1,961,063.94 from the Federal Government for highway construction and improvements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940.

The present tax rate is fifty-eight cents per hundred dollars based upon a total assessed valuation of $190,189,855.54. The state constitution provides that the total tax levy for all purposes, shall not exceed five cents on each dollar of assessed valuation. Nevada has no sales tax, state income tax or inheritance tax. The last was repealed in 1925. All mining companies pay a quarterly tax based on the net proceeds of the mines.

Social Security accounts, handled by the State Treasurer's Office, comprise State Welfare, Old-Age Assistance, and Unemployment Compensation.

Events of the Year.

The outstanding events of 1940 were the re-election to the Senate on Nov. 5, of Key Pittman, U.S. Senator for Nevada for 26 years, and his death in Reno on Nov. 10 after a brief illness.

As to state legislation there have been no changes in Nevada's tax law, but in recent years laws concerning Workman's Unemployment Compensation, Child Labor, and the legalizing of open gambling have been passed. The following amendments to the state constitution were approved during 1940: all license fees and gasoline taxes, paid by motor vehicles, are to be expended for public highways; legislators are denied the power to abolish any county in Nevada unless the voters of the county first approve such abolishment.

State Officers.

Governor, E. P. Carville; Lieutenant Governor, Maurice J. Sullivan; Secretary of State, Malcolm McEachin; Attorney General, Gray Mashburn; State Treasurer, Dan W. Franks; State Controller, Henry C. Schmidt; State Auditor, Don G. LaRue; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mildred Bray.

United States Senators:

Pat McCarran, Berkeley Lloyd Bunker.

1939: Nevada

Area and Population.

First settled in 1849, Nevada was made a territory in 1861, and was admitted into the Union on October 31, 1864. The state has three popular names, the 'Sagebrush State,' the 'Silver State' and 'One Sound State.' It ranks 6th in size among the states, with an area of 110,690 sq. mi. In population it ranks 48th, numbering 91,058 according to the census of 1930; and 102,000 according to a Federal estimate of July 1, 1938. The largest cities are Reno, 18,529; and Las Vegas, 5,165. The capital is Carson City, 1,596, the smallest capital in the United States.

Of the population 37.8 per cent is urban, 17.9 per cent rural farm, and 44.3 per cent rural non-farm; 89.4 per cent are whites, and 10 per cent are divided as follows: Indians 6.6 per cent, Mexicans and Orientals 3.4 per cent. The total area of Indian reservations and colonies on Jan. 1, 1939, was 795,576 acres, and a United States census taken in 1939 stated that the Indian population of Nevada numbered 5,381.

Agriculture.

According to the farm census of 1935, Nevada had then 3,696 farms with a farm area of 3,621,796 acres, of which 379,658 acres were crop land. The farm population was 15,385.

On Jan. 1, 1940 there were in the state 360,000 beef cattle; 21,000 dairy cattle; 23,000 hogs; and 845,000 sheep; the number of sheep shorn was 774,000, and the shearings totalled 6,192,000 pounds of wool.

Mineral Products.

Through the lowered production which was general in the mining industry in 1938, the total value of Nevada's leading metals, copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc was greatly reduced. It amounted to $23,529,064 compared with $34,617,056 in 1937. Preliminary figures for 1939 show a value of $29,321,587. The greatest difference in 1938 was in copper values, the product in which Nevada ranks fourth in the Union. The output for 1938 was 92,338,000 lb. valued at $9,049,124 as against the record 149,206,000 lb. valued at $18,053,926 in the preceding year. The estimate for 1939 is 130,830,000 lb. Silver was fairly stationary in amount in 1938 at 4,355,471 oz., but reduced in value from $3,762,884 in 1937 to $2,815,638. Zinc production fell to 8,940 tons from 14,236; and lead from 9,347 tons to 4,679. Gold was slightly in advance of the 1937 figures with production at 296,434 oz. valued at $10,375,190. The estimate for 1939 is a further increase to 339,000 oz., more than any year since 1916.

Although Nevada was still far in the lead in 1938 in shipments of tungsten concentrates the amount was only 1,461 tons compared with 2,153 in 1937. The production of vanadinite was seven tons, and no molybdenum was produced in 1938. One car load of manganese ore was shipped. Mercury was produced in a number of counties of Nevada. The total output of the state, however, was only 336 flasks.

In gem stone production Nevada showed increases during 1938; 8,000 pounds of turquoise and turquoise matrix were marketed at $3.00 per pound; thirty-nine mines were noted in the state. A discovery of emerald was made early in 1939, but its importance is uncertain.

Education.

The University of Nevada had an enrollment on Jan. 1, 1940, of 1,125, including 702 men and 423 women. On Dec. 15, 1939, Dr. Leon Hartman was inaugurated as president of the University with impressive ceremonies. A new athletic set-up was established during the year, and Joseph T. McDonnell was named graduate manager. Plans for the erection of new buildings were postponed until 1940.

In 1939, Nevada had 253 elementary schools, 14 kindergartens, and 47 high schools, staffed by 629 elementary teachers, 13 kindergarten teachers, and 258 high school teachers. The total enrollment of school children was 19,973.

Events of the Year.

The outstanding event of the year was the Nevada Diamond Jubilee Celebration which took place in Carson City on October 29, 30 and 31, 1939, marking the 75th year of statehood. Power development in Nevada continued to assist materially the state's industries. The completion of dams on the Truckee and Humboldt Rivers resulted in industrial benefits to a wide area.

One of the acts of the last Legislature, was the adoption of a resolution to amend the Constitution so as to prevent the diversion of any gasoline tax or special automobile tax revenue from strictly highway use. This important measure will go to the vote of the people at the next general election. If the results are favorable to the amendment then these special funds will be forever retained for highway work. Nevada will thus join other states that have acted to prevent diversion of such taxes, for the benefit of residents and tourists generally.

Finance.

The cash balance of state funds as of Dec. 26, 1939, was $1,271,946.75. The outstanding bonded indebtedness was $531,000, all of which was held by trust fund accounts of the state. Bonds owned by the various state trust funds had a book value of $3,375,877.02 on July 1, 1939. The resources of the eleven insured commercial banks in Nevada totalled $40,102,000 on June 30, 1939, and deposits were listed as $36,696,000.

State Officers.

The principal state officials are: Governor, Edward Peter Carville; Lieutenant Governor, Maurice J. Sullivan; Secretary of State, Malcolm McEachin; Attorney General, Gray Mashburn; Treasurer, Dan W. Franks; Controller, Henry C. Schmidt; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mildred Bray.

United States Senators.

Key Pittman, Pat McCarran.

1938: Nevada

Area and Population.

First settled in 1849. Nevada was made a territory in 1861, and was admitted into the Union on October 31, 1864. The state has three popular names, the 'Sagebrush,' the 'Silver' and 'One Sound State.' It ranks 6th in size among the states, with an area of 110,690 sq. mi. In population it ranks 48th, numbering 91,058 according to the Census of 1930; 102,000 according to a Federal estimate of July 1, 1938. The largest cities are Reno, 18,529; and Las Vegas, 5,165. The capital is Carson City, 1,596, the smallest capital in the United States.

Of the population 37.8 per cent is urban, 17.9 per cent rural farm, and 44.3 per cent rural non-farm; 89.4 per cent are whites, and 10 per cent are foreign-born, divided as follows: Indians 6.6 per cent, Mexicans and Orientals 3.4 per cent. The total area of Indian Reservations and Colonies on January 1, 1939, was 795.576 acres, and a United States census taken in 1938 stated that the Indian population of Nevada numbered 5,381.

Agriculture.

According to the farm census of 1935, Nevada had then 3,696 farms with a farm area of 3,621,769 acres, of which 379,658 acres were crop land.

On January 1, 1937, there were in the state 37,000 horses, 21,000 dairy cows, 342,213 all cattle, 834,091 sheep and 20,000 swine. United States reports show that in 1936 the wool clip yielded 6,318,000 pounds of wool from 810,000 sheep.

Minerals.

The 1938 Minerals Yearbook gives the Nevada production of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc as $34,617,056 in 1937, compared with $29,289,903 in 1936. The leading product, copper, in which Nevada ranks fourth in the Union, rose to a new high, at 149,206,000 pounds compared with 141.392,000 in 1936. The corresponding values were $18,053,026 (1937), as against $13,008,064 the preceding year. This amounted to about 52 per cent of the total value of the five chief metals. Production of gold, in which Nevada ranks third among the states, amounted to 281,332 oz., (value 29 per cent of total), a slight decrease from the previous year. Silver also showed a drop in production, from 5,068,786 oz. in 1936 to 4,864,750. Production of these metals during 1938, encouraged by cheaper power rates in the south-eastern sections of the state, will be maintained at a high level. Nevada retained its position as the principal tungsten producer of the United States during 1937, shipments of concentrates totaling 2,153 short tons, about two thirds of the nation's output. Increased activity in the production of mercury was also noted during 1937 and 1938, 20 mines producing 198 flasks in 1937. Production of manganese was 533 long tons.

Education.

The University of Nevada has an average enrollment of 1,000 students. The Mackay School of Mines established there is outstanding in equipment, endowment and personnel. During 1938 plans were made by the University for the following new structures: a new Engineering Laboratory, a new Arts and Science Building, and a new Gymnasium.

The 1938 report of the Department of Education of Nevada lists 273 elementary schools, 9 kindergartens and 52 high schools; with 643 elementary teachers, 15 kindergarten teachers and 254 high school teachers. The total enrollment of school children for the year was 20,352. The amount expended for elementary schools, including capital outlay and debt service, was $1,829,969.71; for high schools, $913,888.41.

Events of the Year.

The most important factor in the development of the state during the past year has been the completion of a $1,000,000 power line, which now serves the extensive and valuable mineral areas in the south-eastern part of the state. This line was made possible by the completion of the great Boulder Dam and appurtenant structures in southern Nevada, built at a cost of about $100,000,000. Cheap power from this project will materially aid the development of the state, and a substantial revenue from the Boulder Dam project itself appears probable in the near future. Other large impounding dams for the conservation of water have also been built on the Truckee and Humboldt rivers in northern Nevada, resulting in industrial benefit to a wide area.

The 38th Legislature was chiefly remarkable for the large number of bills passed to improve conditions for Nevada's workers, including the unemployment insurance act, which permitted the state's workers to share the benefits from the Federal payroll tax; the Whalen bill giving women workers a minimum wage of $18.00 for a 48-hour week; and an act guaranteeing labor's right to self-organization and collective bargaining. Pensions were granted to Nevada's judges when they reach the age of seventy years and have served an aggregate of twenty years. No attempts were made to enact a sales tax, income tax, inheritance tax or similar legislation.

Nevada, like its western sister states, is rich in scenic and recreational facilities. Its mountains and lakes, streams and forests, parks and natural phenomena mark the state as one of the foremost scenic areas in the nation. On January 1, 1939, the Nevada Highway System, now in its twenty-second year, had 2,662.25 miles of improved standard highways.

State Finances.

The cash balance of state funds as of January 3, 1939, was $1,528,863.12. The outstanding bonded indebtedness was $656,000, all of which was held by trust fund accounts of the state. Bonds owned by the various state trust funds had a book value of $3,146,657.16 on June 30, 1938.

Banking.

On January 1, 1939, there were four State Banks in Nevada with deposits of $2,397,000, and five National Banks with deposits of approximately $32,000,000.

State Officers.

As the result of the November election, state officials who took office on January 3, 1939, are as follows: Governor, Edward P. Carville; Lieutenant Governor, Maurice J. Sullivan; Secretary of State, Malcolm McEachin; Attorney General, Gray Mashburn; State Treasurer, Dan W. Franks; State Controller, Henry C. Schmidt; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mildred Bray.

Judiciary.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, E. J. L. Taber; Associate Justices, Ben W. Coleman and Edward A. Ducker.

United States Senators.

Key Pittman and Patrick McCarran.