1942: Vermont

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood on March 3, 1791, Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State. It ranks 42nd in size among the states with an area of 9,564 sq. mi. In population it ranks 45th, having 359,231 residents, according to the 1940 United States Census. The largest cities are Burlington. 27,626; Rutland, 17,082; Barre, 10,909: and Montpelier, the capital. 8,006.

Mineral Products.

Production of monumental granite, which constitutes the state's leading mineral, amounted in 1940 to 650,000 cu. ft. valued at $7,300,000. Marble production had a value of $1,500,000; slate, $2,000,000; and tale $230,000,000.

Education.

The number of public elementary schools open in 1942 was 1,102, with 1,931 teachers and 45,000 pupils. Public secondary schools numbered 91, with 699 teachers and 16,201 pupils. The number of persons of school age (5-17) was 74,221.

State expenditures for public schools amounted to $934,471, of which $678,516 was state aid. The average teacher's salary was $1,070. Local school expenditures totaled $5,245,498.

Special matters of interest during the year were the contribution of the schools to the war effort in furnishing extra labor in farm work, especially in making maple sugar, in which 1,400 high-school pupils were employed; all schools shared also in the local defense program in collecting scrap, etc.; and 2,000 pupils were enrolled in out-of-school defense courses.

Finance.

The state bonded debt on June 30, 1942, was $6,650,031, representing a retirement of about $1,000,000 per annum. Receipts during the fiscal year were $20,859,356; disbursements $17,014,898, of which $5,540,959 went for highways, $2,904,560 for charities, hospitals, etc.; $1,168,501 was paid for old-age assistance to about 5,500 persons, making an average grant of $17.72 per month. Payment of unemployment compensation benefits amounted to $316,007 for the year.

Banking.

Assets of state banks for the year totaled $132,447,621, an increase of $5,133,898 over the preceding year. Total deposits were $117,088,405. State bank taxes were $362,973 for the year.

Defense.

During 1942, a State Council of Safety was organized which functions actively in all phases of civilian defense. A State Guard was also organized, and now numbers 113 officers and 1,409 men. An Aeronautics Board was established to develop airports within the state. An Industrial Agent named to promote the state's industrial production, later reported the operation of 18 new industrial plants. A special commission was actively engaged in studying the question of child welfare, and a special committee was appointed to deal with the question of farm labor.

State Officers.

Governor, William H. Wills; Lieutenant Governor, Mortimer Proctor; Secretary of State, Rawson C. Myrick; State Treasurer, Levi Kelly; Auditor of Accounts, David V. Anderson; Attorney General, Alban J. Parker; Commissioner of Education, Ralph E. Noble.

United States Senators:

Geo. D. Aiken, Warren R. Austin.

1941: Vermont

Area and Population.

Vermont ranks 42nd in size among the states, with an area of 9,609 sq. mi., including 331 sq. mi. of inland water surface, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 16th census in 1940. In population it ranks 45th, numbering 359,231 according to the 1940 census. The principal cities are Burlington, 27,686; Rutland, 17,082; Barre, 10,909. Montpelier, the capital, has a population of 8,006.

Vermont was admitted into the Union March 3, 1791, becoming the fourteenth state, or the first after the original thirteen. The sesquicentennial of this event was celebrated in 1941 in nearly every town throughout the state by appropriate exercises.

Education.

Public elementary schools during 1940-1941 numbered 1,182, with 44,524 pupils and 1,954 teachers. Public secondary schools numbered 92, with 606 teachers and 16,637 pupils. The number of children of school age (5-17 yrs.) was 75,900. State expenditures for public schools by the State Department of Education amounted to $935,397. Local school expenditures were $5,245,499. The average teacher's salary was $991.

Special matters of educational interest during 1941 included the appointment of an arts and crafts commission; an increase in all types of vocational education; a sharp increase in defense education, resulting in placing over 600 men and boys in defense jobs; a shortage of teachers in vocational, special and rural elementary fields; and a decline in elementary school enrollment for the fourth successive year. High school enrollment declined slightly for the first time in the last few decades.

The financial status of the University of Vermont required a special session of the Legislature in September 1941, at which a special appropriation of $260,000 for each of the ensuing two years was made to the University under certain conditions.

Mineral Products.

Although production of granite, the state's leading mineral, in 1940, was slightly below that of 1939, at 601,190 cu. ft., it was at the same time somewhat higher in value, at $2,039,960. Marble, for which Vermont ranks first in the Union, amounted in 1940 to 308,750 cu. ft., worth $1,331,024. Slate added the sum of $1,555,230 to the total value of the state's mineral resources.

Legislative Matters.

A special session of the 1941 Legislature was held in September, in addition to the regular session in January. Acts of especial interest related to the organization of a State Guard, erection of a new state office building, a referendum on the eligibility of women to serve as jurors, amendment of the divorce laws, construction of airports, serological tests of expectant mothers and marriage applicants, eradication of Bang's Disease, financial responsibility of automobile drivers, and uniform laws relating to the flag, to partnership and limited partnership, to sabotage, and simultaneous deaths.

State pay was voted for persons in military service by reason of the United States having become involved in 'armed conflict with the armed forces of another nation.'

Finance.

The net state debt on June 30, 1941, was $6,941,161.64. The total expenditures during the fiscal year amounted to $16,491,947, of which $6,531,229 was for highways and $2,893,468 for charities and relief. Payments for unemployment insurance amounted to about $2,000,000 during the year, paid to about 5,000 applicants.

Banking.

The total deposits in the forty-one State banks, 1940-41, amounted to $116,837,463 and showed an increase during the year of over $4,000,000.

State Officers.

Governor, William H. Wills; Lieutenant Governor, Mortimer R. Proctor; Secretary of State, Rawson C. Myrick; Treasurer, Thomas H. Cave; Auditor, David V. Anderson; Attorney General, Alban J. Parker; Commissioner of Education, Ralph E. Noble.

United States Senators:

Warren R. Austin, George D. Aiken.

1940: Vermont

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood on March 3, 1791, Vermont ranks 42nd in size among the states, with an area of 9,564 sq. mi. In population it ranks 45th, having 359,231 persons according to the 1940 census, compared with 359,611 in 1930. The largest cities are Burlington, 27,626; Rutland, 17,082; and Barre, 10,909. Montpelier, the capital, has a population of 8,006.

Mineral Products.

Production of monumental granite, which constitutes Vermont's leading mineral resource, amounted in 1940 to 648,195 cu. ft., valued at $7,168,287. Marble production was worth over a million dollars. Production of slate quarries amounted to $1,948,315; talc added $250,000 to the state's mineral wealth, making a total of over $10,000,000.

Education.

The number of public elementary schools during 1939-40 was 1,200, with 45,284 pupils and 1,981 teachers. Public secondary schools numbered 92, with 581 teachers and 16,718 pupils. The number of inhabitants of school age (5-17 inclusive) was 77,000. State expenditures for public schools amounted to $937,800,65. The average teacher's salary was $982.46. Local school expenditures were $5,700,000 (1939-40). Special matters of interest in 1940 were the following: an increase in all types of vocational education offered; a shortage of teachers in vocational, special, and rural elementary fields; a decline in elementary enrollment for the third year in succession, due to the declining birth rate. High-school enrollment, however, continued to rise.

Legislation.

The Legislature held a special session in July 1940, which amended the law relative to the filling of vacancies in the office of United States Senator.

Finance.

The state bonded debt on June 30, 1940, was $8,544,031. Receipts during the fiscal year were $15,069,290. Disbursements were $16,519,923, nearly half of which were for highway purposes. Total expenditures for charities, hospitals, and correction totaled $2,738,994, of which $1,098,510 (including Federal aid) was for old-age assistance to about 5,400 persons. Payments of unemployment compensation benefits amounted to $2,211,600, for the year ending Nov. 1, 1940.

Banking.

The assets of state banks during 1940 totaled $134,626,306, and deposits $113,066,048. Only 3 banks were in receivership during the year. State bank taxes amounted to $381,016.

State Officers.

Governor, William H. Wills; Lieutenant Governor, Mortimer R. Proctor; Secretary of State, Rawson C. Myrick; State Treasurer, Thomas H. Cave; Auditor of Accounts, David Anderson; Attorney General, Alban Parker; Commissioner of Education, Ralph E. Noble.

United States Senators:

Warren R. Austin, George D. Aiken.

1939: Vermont

Area and Population.

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1791, Vermont ranks 42nd in size among the states, with an area of 9,564 sq. mi. In population it ranks 45th, numbering 359,611 according to the Census of 1930; 383,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. In the 1930 population native whites were 315,904; foreign-born whites, 43,061; Negroes, 568. The largest cities are Burlington, 24,789; Rutland, 17,315; Barre, 11,307. The capital is Montpelier, 7,837.

Mineral Products.

Sales of monumental granite, which constitutes Vermont's leading mineral resource, amounted in 1939 to a reduced total from the important Barrie quarries of 605,660 cu. ft. valued at $1,849,607. Supplies of marble were also lower at 212,080 cu. ft. (value, $1,539,571). The product of the slate quarries in 1938 had a value of $1,729,655. Sale of talc, with some pyrophyllite and ground soapstone, added $329,084 to the total value of the state's minerals, which in 1937 amounted to $7,042,547.

Education.

In 1939, Vermont had 1,200 public elementary schools with 52,736 pupils and 2,084 teachers. There were 92 public secondary schools with 663 teachers and 16,281 pupils. The state also has six colleges: University of Vermont, Middlebury, Norwich University, Bennington, St. Michael's, and Trinity; and in addition, Vermont Junior College, Green Mountain Junior College and Goddard Junior College. State expenditures for education in 1938-39 amounted to $935,296.76, with supplementary amounts from towns and cities equalling $5,360,000.

Legislation.

The Legislature held its biennial session from January 11 to April 14, 1939. Many important laws were enacted and several interim commissions appointed. In connection with the flood-control program of the national government in the Connecticut Valley, the Governor's assertion of state sovereignty over the state's natural resources was supported. Annual appropriations of about ten million dollars were voted in addition to three and one-half million to repair flood-damaged highways.

Finance.

The state bonded debt on June 30, 1939 was $7,041,031.90. Receipts during the fiscal year were $15,716,930.53 about one-half of which were tax receipts. Disbursements were $16,014,395.10, including non-revenue items and capital investments. During the year, the state paid $962,132.50 as old-age assistance to 5,480 persons. State payments by the Unemployment Compensation Commission amounted to $154,304.41.

Banking.

At the end of the year the assets of state banks were $135,039,271.63, and deposits were $110,203,585.45. Only one bank was in receivership. State revenue from bank taxes amounted to $410,205.34.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, George D. Aiken, Lieutenant Governor, William H. Wills; Secretary of State, Rawson C. Myrick; State Treasurer, Thomas H. Cave; Auditor of Accounts, Benjamin Gates; Attorney General, Lawrence C. Jones; Commissioner of Education, Francis L. Bailey.

United States Senators.

Warren R. Austin, Ernest W. Gibson.

1938: Vermont

Area and Population

Admitted to statehood March 3, 1791, Vermont ranks 42nd in size among the states, with an area of 9.564 sq. mi. In population it ranks 45th, numbering 359,611 according to the census of 1930; 383,000 on July 1, 1937, according to a Federal estimate. Of the 1930 figure, 67 per cent made up the rural population. The native whites were 315,904; foreign-born whites, 43,061; Negroes, 568. The largest cities are Burlington, 24,789 (1930 census); Rutland, 17,315; Barre, 11,307. The capital is Montpelier, 7,837.

Agriculture.

Dairying predominates as a farm industry, and owing to low prices of dairy products, the farm situation was not as favorable in 1938 as normally.

Mineral Products.

Vermont's outstanding mineral products are monumental granite and marble. Production of the former in 1937, chiefly from the important Barre district, amounted to 856,990 cu. ft. valued at $2,406,583, compared with 799,600 cu. ft. in 1936, valued at $2,170,092. Marble, produced largely in the Proctor area, increased from 220,270 cu. ft. in 1936 to 392,100 cu. ft. in 1937. Comparative values were $1,161,579 (1936), and $1,539,571 (1937). These two products accounted for nearly half of the total value of Vermont's minerals, which with some talc and lime, amounted in 1936 to $6,225,396.

Education.

In 1938 Vermont had 1,514 public graded schools, with 51,680 pupils and 2,015 teachers. There were 94 public high schools with 16,153 pupils. The state has six colleges: University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Norwich University, Bennington College, St. Michael's College, Trinity College; and three junior colleges: Vermont Junior College, Green Mountain Junior College and Goddard Junior College. State expenditures for education in 1938 amounted to $199,767, and towns and cities contributed $5,353,523.

Legislation.

As the Legislature meets biennially in odd years, no session was held during the year 1938.

Events of Interest.

National ski events were held in January and February in Stowe and Brattleboro. The hurricane and flood of September 21, 1938, caused a total damage of $7,000,000 on farms, including special damage to maple trees; and $4,000,000 on highways.

Finance.

The state debt on June 30, 1938, was $7,718,031.90. The receipts during the year were $16,574,017; disbursements, $15,752,429. In 1938 state aid was being given to 342 families for dependent children, to 137 blind persons, and 5,230 old age pensioners.

Banking.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1938, the assets of state banks decreased by $7,124,527.34, while deposits decreased by $4,494,047.66, to $113,185,004.43. Shortly after the close of the fiscal year six mutual savings banks were merged into one institution, while one mutual savings bank was placed in receivership, thereby reducing the total number of state banks to forty-three.

State Officers.

The chief officers of the state, all re-elected on November 8, 1938, are as follows; Governor, George D. Aiken; Lieutenant Governor, William H. Wills; Secretary of State, Rawson C. Myrick; State Treasurer, Thomas H. Cave; Auditor of Accounts, Benjamin Gates; Attorney General, Lawrence C. Jones; Commissioner of Education, Francis L. Bailey.

United States Senators:

Warren R. Austin, Ernest W. Gibson.