1942: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, New Hampshire is sometimes referred to as the 'Granite State.' With an area of 9,282 sq. mi., its population (census of 1940) was 491,524, representing an increase of 26,231, or 5.6 per cent over that of 1930. The capital is Concord, with 27,171 inhabitants. Other cities, exceeding 14,000 in population, are Manchester, 77,685; Nashua, 32,927; Berlin, 19,084; Dover, 14,990, and Portsmouth, 14,821.

The urban population in 1940 was 283,225, or 57.6 per cent of the total, while the rural population was 208,299. During the decade from 1930 to 1940, the rural population grew more rapidly than that of the urban areas, reversing a trend which had existed from 1820 to 1930. In 1940 there were 490,989 whites and 414 Negroes, with 121 of other races. Of the white population, 422,693 were American born, while 68,296 were of foreign birth. Among the foreign-born population were the following: French Canadians, 29,442; other Canadians, 12,530; immigrants from the British Isles, 8,407; and Polish, 3,250.

Education.

The United States census of 1940 revealed that there were 161,960 persons of school age (5 to 24 years) in New Hampshire, of whom 95,228, or 58.8 per cent, were enrolled in regular schools or in colleges. In 1941-42 there were 1,854 public schools, classified as follows: kindergartens, 44; mixed (one room) schools, 288; classified schools, 1,302; junior high schools, 46; senior high schools, 96; opportunity schools, 17; and evening schools, 61. The total enrollment in the public schools of the state for the same year was 73,483, which included 51,771 elementary pupils; 20,744 high-school pupils; and 968 enrolled in evening schools.

Total expenditures for educational purposes during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, were $7,856,373. The teaching staffs included 2,060 elementary and 991 high-school teachers. Their average salaries were as follows: for men in elementary schools, $1,441, and for women, $1,118; for men in secondary schools, $1,896, and for women, $1,425.

In 1939, there were 34,888 pupils enrolled in private schools, of whom at least 21,000 were to be found in elementary parochial schools. The large French Canadian element accounts in part for this situation.

Agriculture.

The principal farm products of New Hampshire are potatoes, apples, milk and cream, and live poultry, marketed principally in cities of eastern and central Massachusetts and New York City. Maple sirup and maple sugar, and hay are also important items. In 1940 there were 16,554 farms, aggregating 1,809,314 ac., the average acreage per farm being 109.3. Of the total land in farms, 590,375 ac. were available for crops and 860,113 were woodland, leaving 358,826 ac. of other land. The average value of farm land, per acre, was $34.38. In 1939, the total value of all farm products sold, traded, or used by farm households was $22,939,158. During 1942, New Hampshire agriculture continued to face serious problems due to a scarcity of farm labor resulting from war conditions.

Industry.

The industries of New Hampshire have always been characterized by diversity and by the relatively large number of small plants. Their principal products are textiles, footwear, paper and allied products, wood products, including pulp, and machinery. The value of all manufactures in 1939 was estimated at $237,396,015. More than one-half of all persons gainfully employed in New Hampshire are engaged in manufacturing. Industrial expansion and changes resulting from the war have led to population shifts in the cities, which have produced many new social and economic problems. During the past two or three years defense and war requirements have led to special emphasis upon the development of the chemical, paper, and metal industries.

The wholesale trade of New Hampshire amounted in 1939 to $64,263,000, and the retail trade to $183,100,000. Recreational activities, including summer resorts and camps, winter sports, etc., constitute an important part of the state economy. In 1936 they produced an estimated direct gross income of no less than $9,641,503. War conditions have very seriously affected this source of income, particularly in the less accessible mountain areas in the northern part of the state. In 1939, minerals to the value of $1,187,339 were produced, among which were clay products, feldspar, mica, sand and gravel, and stone. A survey of the mineral resources of the state was made in 1940 and during 1942 especial efforts were made to open new mica mines, to supply war needs.

Legislative and Political Developments.

The General Court was not in session in 1942. The party alignment in the new General Court which was elected in November 1942 and which convenes for its 164th session on Jan. 6, 1943, will be as follows: In the Senate there will be 17 Republicans and 7 Democrats. The House of Representatives will consist of 276 Republicans, and 165 Democrats, with two tied votes to be determined. In the election of November 1942, Robert O. Blood (Republican) was reelected governor over William J. Neal (Democrat) by a vote of 83,766 to 76,782. H. Styles Bridges (Republican) was reelected United States senator over Francis P. Murphy (Democrat), by a vote of 88,601 to 73,656.

Defense.

The year 1942 witnessed the continued mobilization of the human and material resources of the state for war. The activities of the State Council of Defense, created in 1941, were greatly extended, and provision was made for an increase in the size of the New Hampshire State Guard to four battalions, thus doubling its size, including active and reserve units. A New Hampshire Office of Price Administration was set up at Concord, with Russell R. Larmon as state director. War activities at the Portsmouth Navy Yard have resulted in a marked concentration of industry and population in that area of the state.

Banking and Finance.

Forty-three savings banks and eight savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $206,645,049, as of June 30, 1942, representing a decrease under the total for June 30, 1941, of $450,153. For the sixth consecutive year there was an increase in the number of savings accounts, the total of 321,552 on June 30, 1942, being 3,239 greater than for June 30, 1941. As of June 30 also, fifty-two national banks reported deposits of $93,734,000 and resources of $108,971,000. The state's twenty-five building and loan associations report resources of $13,778,162, an increase of $665,710 over 1941.

Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1942, were $32,181,057.51, and cash disbursements, $31,218,074.56. The cash balance was $5,403,857.33. The gross fixed bond and note debt was $15,652,000; and the total net bonded debt, $12,700,913.12.

Social Welfare.

Owing to an increase in employment resulting from the war, there was a downward trend in the burden of general relief during 1942. In January, there were 5,884 cases on general relief, with an expenditure of $156,003, as compared with 4,259 cases in September, with an expenditure of $107,112. Expenditures for public assistance under the Social Security Act have tended to increase, although in respect to old-age assistance a peak appears to have been reached in July with an expenditure of $176,158. Monthly aid to dependent children has steadily increased, rising to $41,586 in September. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, $6,211,865.28 was disbursed from the New Hampshire unemployment compensation fund. In 1942 the balance available showed a marked gain, due to lessening unemployment.

State Officers.

Governor, Robert O. Blood; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Attorney General, Stephen M. Wheeler; Commissioner of Education, James N. Pringle.

United States Senators:

H. Styles Bridges, Charles W. Tobey.

1941: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, New Hampshire is sometimes referred to as the 'Granite State.' It ranks 43rd among the states, with an area of 9,304 sq mi., including 280 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. The population, according to that census, was 491,524, representing an increase of 26,231, or 5.6 per cent over that of 1930. The principal cities are Manchester, 77,685; Nashua, 32,927; Concord, the capital, 27,171; Berlin, 19,084; Dover, 14,990; and Portsmouth, 14,821. The urban population includes 283,225, or 57.6 per cent of the total. During the decade from 1930 to 1940, the rural population of New Hampshire grew more rapidly than that of the urban areas, thus reversing a trend which had existed from 1820 to 1930. Of the white population in 1930, 381,690 were American-born, while 82,660 were of foreign birth.

Education.

For the year ending June 30, 1938, there were 76,390 children registered in the public schools of New Hampshire. This represented 54,867 elementary pupils, 20,304 high-school pupils, and 1,219 evening school pupils. The most recent figures available show that there are in New Hampshire some 1,941 public schools, including 103 approved public high schools, 16 public academies approved as high schools, 5 accredited private academies, 612 private schools and two teachers' colleges, located at Plymouth and Keene, respectively.

Total state expenditures for public education for the year ending June 30, 1939, were $8,547,642. In secondary schools, the average teacher's salary for the years 1937-1938 was for men, $1,919 and for women, $1,418; in elementary schools the average for men was $1,413, and for women, $1,094. There were at that time 2,120 elementary teachers and 837 high-school teachers. There were 32,950 pupils enrolled in private schools, which included 20,959 in parochial schools, a figure which probably represents as large a proportion as is to be found in any state.

Agriculture.

New Hampshire's principal farm products are milk and cream, potatoes, apples, and live poultry, marketed principally in cities of eastern and central Massachusetts and New York City. Maple sirup, maple sugar, and hay, are also important items. In 1940 New Hampshire farms numbered 16,554, aggregating 1,809,314 A., the average acreage per farm being 109.3. Of the total land in farms, 590,375 A. were available for crops, and 860,113 were woodland, leaving 358,826 A. of other land. The average value of farm land, per acre, was $34.38. During 1941, New Hampshire agriculture faced serious problems arising from drought, and a scarcity of farm labor, resulting in part from the competition of defense industry.

Industry.

The industries of New Hampshire are characterized by diversity and by the relatively large number of small plants. The principal products are textiles, boots and shoes, paper and wood pulp, a variety of other wood products, and machinery. The value of manufactures in 1939 was estimated at $237,396,015. The wholesale trade of New Hampshire in 1939 amounted to $64,263,000, an increase of 18.9 per cent over 1935, and 4.6 per cent over 1929. Electric power produced in 1939, in kilowatt hours equaled: water power, 609,000,000; steam, 119,000,000; internal combustion, 1,000,000.

The recreational resources of New Hampshire, including summer resorts and camps, winter sports, etc., are of steadily increasing importance. In 1939 the state produced minerals to the value of $1,187,339. Important items were clay products, feldspar, mica, sand and gravel, and stone.

Legislation.

The General Court was convened for its 163rd session from January 1 to June 13, 1941. Important defense legislation included an act creating a State Council of Defense, with a system of advisory and local committees; an anti-sabotage act; a law for the regulation of the sale and handling of explosives; and an act establishing a State Guard to ensure local military defense in the absence of the National Guard. A capital budget act was passed, carrying an appropriation of $216,000 for new construction and permanent improvement of state buildings. As a result of disastrous forest fires, a bill was enacted to ensure more adequate fire protection, and authorizing the state to share with the localities involved the cost of such protection. Laws were also passed barring damage suits for breach of promise to marry; and abolishing the two per cent capital stock tax on domestic insurance firms.

In accordance with an act of the General Court, the state Constitutional Convention which had met in 1938 was reconvened on September 23, 1941, to consider the possibility of reducing the membership of the House of Representatives. This already stood at 423, and would be subject to increase in accordance with the 1940 population statistics. The Convention adopted a proposal designed to effect a reduction of approximately 60 seats in the House. The measure will be submitted to the people at the regular state election in 1942 and will require a two-thirds vote for passage. In the meantime there will be at least a temporary increase in the membership of the House.

Defense.

Because of defense needs, there was unusual activity in the field of aviation during the past year. The army air base at Manchester is one of three major bases being developed in New England, while a number of auxiliary bases are being constructed at various points within the state.

Banking and Finance.

New Hampshire's forty-three savings banks and eight savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $207,095,202, as of June 30, 1941, representing an increase over June 30, 1940, of $1,515,722. For the fifth consecutive year there was an increase in the number of savings accounts, the total of 318,313 on June 30, 1941, being 3,913 greater than that for June 30, 1940. There were, in 1941, twenty-six building and loan associations with resources of $13,112,451.59, an increase of $568,884 over the preceding year. Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940, were $39,575,339.71; cash disbursements $39,111,037.32; cash balance, $1,244,916.50. The total net bonded debt and temporary loans, amounted on June 29, 1940, to $10,627,438.97.

The state's relief load dropped 14 per cent in the first three months of 1941, as announced by the State Department of Public Welfare. In March, 1941, there were 26,973 persons on direct relief, the total cost amounting to $217,222.

State Officers.

Governor, Robert O. Blood; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Adjutant General, Charles F. Bowen; Attorney General, Frank R. Kenison; Commissioner of Education, James M. Pringle.

United States Senators:

H. Styles Bridges, Charles W. Tobey.

1940: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, New Hampshire is sometimes referred to as the 'Granite State.' With an area of 9,282 sq. mi., its population (U. S. census of 1940) is 491,524, representing an increase of 26,231 or 5.6 per cent over that of 1930. The capital is Concord, with 27,171 inhabitants. Other cities exceeding 15,000, are Manchester, 77,685; Nashua, 32,927; Berlin, 19,084. During the decade from 1930 to 1940, the rural population of New Hampshire grew more rapidly than that of the urban areas, thus reversing a trend which had existed from 1820 to 1930. According to the 1930 census, of the white population, 381,690 were American born, while 82,660 were of foreign birth. Among the foreign-born were the following: immigrants from the United Kingdom and Ireland, 11,539; French Canadians, 37,682; other Canadians, 13,277.

Education.

For the school year ending June 30, 1937, there were 77,374 children registered in the public schools of New Hampshire. They included 56,082 elementary pupils, 20,012 high school pupils, and 1,280 evening-school pupils. Most recent data available show that there are in New Hampshire some 1,941 public schools, including 103 approved public high schools, 16 public academies approved as high schools, 5 accredited private academies, 612 private schools and two teachers' colleges, the latter located at Plymouth and Keene, respectively. Total state expenditures for public education, for the year ending June 30, 1939, were $8,547,642.

In secondary schools, the average of teachers' salaries, for the years 1936-1937, was, for men, $1,934, and for women, $1,374; in elementary schools the average for men was $1,338, and for women, $1,007. There were at that time 2,156 elementary teachers and 839 high-school teachers. There were also approximately 33,000 pupils enrolled in private schools, which included almost 21,000 in parochial schools. The latter figure probably represents as large a proportion as is to be found in any other state in the Union.

Agriculture.

The principal farm products are milk and cream, potatoes, apples, and live poultry, marketed principally in cities of eastern and central Massachusetts, and in New York City. Maple syrup and maple sugar are also important items. The number of farms in 1935 was 17,695, with an average size of 119.6 acres. Lumber production in 1937 was estimated at 157,000,000 board feet. Throughout the year 1940, lumbering operations have been continued on a large scale, in an effort to salvage the timber felled by the hurricane of 1938. The amount of white pine lumber made available by the storm is estimated at 500,000,000 board feet.

Industry.

The industries of New Hampshire are marked by their diversity and by the relatively large number of small plants. Their principal products are textiles, boots and shoes, paper and wood pulp, a variety of other wood products, and machinery. The value of manufactures in 1937 was estimated at $249,631,724. The wholesale trade of New Hampshire in 1939 amounted to $64,263,000, an increase of 18.9 per cent over 1935, and of 4.6 per cent over 1929.

The New Hampshire State Planning and Development Commission, in a report issued in 1939, estimated that there had been more than a 50 per cent increase in the value of manufactured products during the period 1933 to 1937.

Recreational activities, including summer resorts and camps, winter sports, etc., are of increasing importance in the state's resources; in 1936, they produced an estimated gross income of $9,641,503.

A mineral survey carried out in 1940 revealed that in 1937, minerals to the value of $1,219,869 were sold, about 82 per cent being accounted for by granite, clays, sand, and gravel. Some mica and feldspar are also produced.

Banking and Finance.

Savings banks and savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $205,579,479, as of June 30, 1940, representing an increase over June 30, 1939, of $1,115,064. For the fourth consecutive year there was an increase in the number of savings accounts, the total of 314,400 on June 30, 1940, being 2,256 greater than for June 30, 1939.

There were, in 1940, 27 building and loan associations with resources of $12,543,567, an increase of $573,113 over the preceding year. Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1939, were $38,502,796; cash disbursements, $39,302,215. The net total bond and note and temporary loan debt, on June 30, 1939, was $10,328,744. Action taken by the Legislature in 1937 and 1939, regarding a debt reorganization plan for financing, has resulted in a more orderly plan for debt retirement.

Political and Legislative Affairs.

In the November election of 1940, the Republican candidate for Governor, Robert O. Blood, carried the state by a vote of 112,401, over 109,138 for his Democratic opponent, F. Clyde Keefe. In the presidential election, however, Franklin D. Roosevelt carried the state by a popular vote of 125,292, as compared with 110,127 for Wendell L. Willkie.

The General Court convened for its 163rd session on Jan. 31, 1941. During the year 1940 the State Supreme Court held constitutional the sales tax on tobacco levied by the Legislature at its last session, thus marking a shift in the position of the Court concerning the taxation of single commodities. The revenue derived from this source made a state property tax unnecessary. During 1940 the state completed a large flood-control and conservation project on the Connecticut River at Pittsburg, while the War Department began the construction of flood-control projects at Surry Mountain on the Ashuelot River, at Webster on the Blackwater River, and at Franklin Falls on the Pemigewasset.

State Officers.

Governor, Robert O. Blood; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Commissary-General, Charles F. Bowen; Attorney-General, Frank R. Kenison.

United States Senators:

H. Styles Bridges, Charles W. Tobey.

1939: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states, New Hampshire is sometimes also referred to as the 'Granite State.' With a total area of 9,341 sq. mi. its population, according to the U. S. census of 1930, was 465,293. The estimated population for July 1, 1937, was 510,000. The capital is Concord, with 25,228 inhabitants. Other important cities are Manchester, 76,834; Nashua, 31,463; Berlin, 20,018; and Portsmouth, 14,495. In 1930, of the state's population, 273,079, or 58.7 per cent, were urban; 464,350 were whites, and 790 Negroes. Of the white population, 381,690 were American born, while 82,660 were of foreign birth. Among the foreign-born population were: 11,539 from the United Kingdom and Ireland; 37,682 French Canadians and 13,277 Canadians chiefly of British origin.

Education.

There are in New Hampshire 1,693 public schools, including 103 approved public high schools, 16 public academies approved as high schools, 5 accredited private academies, 608 private schools, and 2 teachers' colleges (formerly normal schools). The last are located at Plymouth and Keene respectively. There are four institutions for higher education: University of New Hampshire, at Durham; Dartmouth College, Hanover; St. Anselm's College, Manchester; and Colby Junior College for Women, New London. In 1939 there were 198 juvenile camps listed as licensed by the State Board of Health.

The total expenditures for public education (including elementary, secondary, and normal schools) in the year ending June 30, 1938, amounted to $7,458,043. The last available report of the State Board of Education shows an enrollment of 82,181 public school pupils and 33,037 private school pupils, making a total of 115,218 pupils in all schools. The same report gives the number of public school teachers as 3,661 and private school teachers as 1,648. In 1938 there were approximately 21,000 pupils enrolled in elementary parochial schools, said to represent a larger proportion than in any other state in the union.

Agriculture.

The principal farm products are milk and cream, potatoes, apples, and poultry, marketed principally in cities of eastern and central Massachusetts and in New York City. The estimated acreage in 1934, utilized for crops, was 448,000; for pasture, 961,000; woodland, 1,274,000. Farms in 1935 numbered 17,695 with an average of 119.6 acres; average value per acre $31.64. Lumber production was estimated in 1936 at 161,000,000 board feet. Throughout the year 1939 lumbering operations were continued on a large scale, in an effort to salvage the enormous amount of timber felled by the hurricane of 1938.

Industry.

The principal manufacturing concerns of the state are engaged in producing textiles, boots and shoes, lumber and wood products (including paper), and machinery. Value of manufactures in 1937, $249,631,724. Electric power produced in 1937, in kilowatt hours; water power, 706,000,000; fuel power, 56,000,000. New Hampshire's mineral products include granite, mica, sand and gravel.

Summer resorts and camps, and recreational activities, including winter sports, are also an important source of income to the state. In 1936 they produced an estimated total of $9,641,503.

During the year 1939 the State Planning and Development Commission issued an important report on New Hampshire industry, which estimates that there was more than a 50 per cent increase in the value of manufactured products during the period from 1933 to 1937. Estimates of the Unemployment Compensation Division show that employment in manufacturing industries in New Hampshire increased by almost 6 per cent from the first quarter of 1938 to the first quarter of 1939.

A report submitted to the Commission for the Promotion of the Wealth and Income of the People of New Hampshire in 1939 found that while the people of the state as individuals saved $13,761,000 in 1936, yet the net loss in business, banking and government expenses for the same year amounted to $17,750,000. Of the total income of the state in 1936, 51.5 per cent came from manufacturing; 19.6 per cent from service; 13.6 per cent from trade and finance; 9.9 per cent from transportation and communications; and 5.4 per cent from agriculture. The report embodies what is claimed to be the first such economic analysis ever made of a state as a unit.

Banking and Finance.

Savings banks and savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $204,464,415, as of June 30, 1939, representing an increase over June 30, 1938, of $3,263,868. For the third consecutive year there was an increase in the number of savings accounts, the total of 312,144 on June 30, 1939, being 2,079 greater than for June 30, 1938. There were, in 1939, 28 building and loan associations with assets of $11,970,454, an increase of $293,562 over the preceding year. Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1938, were $44,320,965; cash disbursements, $43,072,192. The net bond and note indebtedness, on June 30, 1938, was $13,683,000. The average tax rate in 1936, was $34.30 on each $1,000 of valuation, or double the average rate in 1916.

Legislative Matters.

The 162nd session of the New Hampshire General Court lasted for 24 weeks, or from January 4 to June 17, 1939. Among the important measures passed were an act authorizing a $5,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of highways, and for reimbursement of towns for hurricane and flood damage; a tax levy of 15 per cent on all tobacco products as a means of eliminating the direct tax of $1,200,000 a year; an act approving the acquisition by the Federal Government of land at four sites in New Hampshire for construction of flood-control dams; provision for the reimbursement of local communities for losses in tax valuation sustained as a result of the construction of such dams; an act authorizing the State Milk Control Board to fix the price of New Hampshire milk shipped into other states from sections not already subject to Federal regulation; an act extending the legality of pari-mutuel horse race betting through 1942.

Welfare and Correction.

The principal state charitable and correctional institutions are the New Hampshire State Hospital for the Insane, at Concord; Laconia State School, for feeble-minded children, Laconia; New Hampshire State Sanatorium, for tuberculosis patients, Glencliffe; New Hampshire Industrial School, for committed minors, Manchester; State Prison, Concord; and Soldiers' Home, Tilton. On July 1, 1938, the State Board of Welfare and Relief as organized in separate Divisions of Welfare and Relief was given up, and the department is now known as the State Department of Public Welfare, with Harry O. Page as Commissioner. In October 1939, 34,728 persons, or 6.8 per cent of the state's population as estimated in 1937, were receiving either general relief or public assistance. This represented an increase of 2.9 per cent over the number of persons receiving relief in October, 1938.

State Officers.

The chief state officers are: Governor, Francis P. Murphy; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Commissary General, Charles W. Howard.

United States Senators.

Charles W. Tobey, H. Styles Bridges.

1938: New Hampshire

Area and Population.

One of the thirteen original states. New Hampshire is popularly known as the 'Granite State.' With an area of 9,341 square miles, it ranks 43rd in size among the states. In population it ranks 41st, numbering 465,293 according to the Census of 1930; 510,000 on July 1, 1937, according to a Federal estimate. The largest cities are Manchester, 76,834; Nashua, 31,463; Concord, the capital, 25,228; Berlin, 20,018; Portsmouth, 14,495. In 1930 the population was 58.7 per cent urban; 464,350 were whites, and 790 were Negroes. Of the white population, 381,690 were American born, while 82,660 were of foreign birth. Among the foreign-born population were 11,539 from the United Kingdom and Ireland, 37,682 French Canadians, and 13,277 other Canadians.

Education.

There are in New Hampshire 103 approved public high schools, 18 public academies approved as high schools; 4 accredited private academies; and 2 normal schools. The institutions for higher education are the University of New Hampshire, at Durham; Dartmouth College, Hanover; St. Anselm's College, Manchester; and Colby Junior College for Women, New London. Total expenditures for public education (including elementary, secondary, and normal schools) in the year ending June 30, 1936, amounted to $7,549,552. Pupils numbered 90,956. In the same year there were 21,287 pupils enrolled in elementary parochial schools. This is said to represent a larger proportion of the school population than in any other state in the Union.

Events of the Year.

The state Legislature did not meet in 1938, but a convention for the revision of the state Constitution was in session from May 11 to June 1. The convention offered four amendments which were submitted to the electorate on Nov. 8. The proposed amendments were (1) to authorize graduated income and inheritance taxes and a sales tax; (2) to permit absentee voting in state elections; (3) to give the Legislature power to define 'paupers' as related to prohibition against voting; and (4) to prevent the diversion of the gasoline tax to other than highway use. A two-thirds majority is necessary to amend the Constitution, and only the last of the four proposals was adopted.

The hurricane of September 21, 1938, felled a large amount of standing timber; efforts are being made to salvage as much as possible of the lumber.

Recreational activities, including summer camps and resorts, winter sports, etc., are of growing importance. In 1930 they produced an estimated income of $76,256,500.

For aerial tramway on Cannon Mountain see ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.

Banking and Finance.

Savings banks and savings departments of trust companies reported deposits of $201,200,547 as of June 30, 1938, being $391,538 less than for June 30, 1937. The 28 building and loan associations had assets of $11,576,891, representing an increase of $519,380 over the preceding year. Cash receipts of the State Treasury Department, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1937, were $26,293,820; cash disbursements, $29,107,576. Net bond and note indebtedness, June 30, 1937, $11,331,282. The average tax rate in 1936 was $34.30 on each $1,000 of valuation, or double the average rate in 1916.

State Officers.

As the result of the 1938 election, the chief state officers are: Governor, Francis P. Murphy; Secretary of State, Enoch D. Fuller; State Treasurer, F. Gordon Kimball; Commissary General, Charles W. Howard.

United States Senators.

Charles W. Tobey, H. Styles Bridges.