1942: Wyoming

Area and Population.

The eighth largest state in the Union, Wyoming has an area of 97,506 sq. mi., of which 320 are covered by water. Of the total, 3,426 sq. mi. are comprised within Yellowstone National Park, and 150 sq. mi. in the Grand Teton National Park.

The population was listed in 1940 as 250,742, of whom 93,577 were urban and 157,165 rural, the urban population having increased 33.5 per cent between 1930 and 1940, and the rural 1.1 per cent. Of the total population, 246,597 are whites, 956 Negroes, and 2,349 Indians.

In 1940 there were 89 incorporated towns in Wyoming, and of these only six had a population of 5,000 or over: Cheyenne, 22,474; Casper, 17,964; Laramie, 10,627; Sheridan, 10,529; Rock Springs, 9,827; and Rawlins, 5,531. The Japanese relocation center, built during the summer of 1942 near Cody, and named Heart Mountain, contains a population of approximately 11,385.

Education.

The public schools in Wyoming have an enrollment of 55,904 students, with a total of 71,445 persons of school age (6 to 21). The total number of public schools is 1,024, classified as follows: high schools, 96; elementary schools, 225; and rural schools, 703. The average annual salary of teachers is $1,152 for the elementary schools, and $1,388 for the secondary.

The total operating cost for Wyoming schools is slightly over $6,000,000 annually.

Wyoming schools have been quick to adjust their educational programs to the needs of the war emergency, and this is revealed by the fact that 31 of the high schools, or about one third, are now offering preflight aeronautics. Approximately 600 senior high school students are now receiving preliminary preflight training.

Many adjustments in the school program have been made to accelerate the training of youth for war service. Two thirds of Wyoming high schools are today offering some type of physical education program for their students. Offerings in both science and mathematics have been expanded in keeping with the recommendation of the Army and Navy, and other governmental agencies. Three or more full units of science are available in 70 per cent of the high schools, and in 31 per cent of the schools 4 or more units in science are offered. About 64 per cent of the high schools are offering three or more complete units in the field of mathematics.

Minerals.

Investigations conducted in connection with defense have established that there are more than a score of valuable minerals and compounds in Wyoming, including coal, iron, ferro-alloys, titanium, vanadium, chrome, manganese, bentonite, potash, phosphate, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, graphite, kyanite, silica, asphalt, vermiculite, mica, beryl, tin, and asbestos. The state has an estimated 1,761,000,000,000 tons of recoverable coal, 400,000,000 barrels of oil reserves, 250,000,000 of them asphaltic oil suitable for synthetic rubber, highway construction, and roofing material, besides petroleum coke and large reserves of natural gas.

Agriculture.

Wyoming is semi-arid, and agriculture is carried on by irrigation and by 'dry farming.' The state's principal crop is hay, with wheat ranking second. Other crops in order of importance are sugar beets, beans, corn, oats, barley and potatoes. Turkeys add approximately $500,000 yearly, to the farmers' income, and butter, cheese, milk and cream are estimated to be worth $1,500,000 annually.

Extensive migration of workers including farm laborers from the state, produced acute labor shortages during 1942. Even though there are few substantial war industries in Wyoming, the employment of women already far exceeds that of the last war. Railroads are employing more workers than at any time in history, and are overburdened by the impact of an unprecedented volume of business.

Agriculture sustained considerable losses due to labor scarcity during the harvest. This was partially offset by the participation of business men and school children in the harvest work, and by the employment of some of the Japanese from the War Relocation Center. The drain on manpower by selective service is a prime factor in hindering full mobilization of the mineral, agricultural, and industrial resources.

Defense.

Each of the twenty-three counties of the state has a Defense Council and some of the incorporated towns are also organized and function under a County Council.

In cooperation with the American Legion, a training school was held at Casper in July 1942, and more than one hundred persons from different parts of the state were trained in the work of the U. S. Defense Corps. Volunteers numbering 23,986, 9.6 per cent of the total population of Wyoming, are enrolled in Civilian Defense, with 10,103 having completed their training. This ranks Wyoming, on a per capita basis, second in organization in the Seventh Defense Region. The State Guard was organized as a unit of civilian defense in 1941, but has experienced a large turnover in members due to the numbers joining the armed forces or entering defense work elsewhere.

State Officers.

Governor, Dr. Lester C. Hunt; Secretary of State, Mart T. Christensen; Auditor, Wm. (Scotty) Jack; Treasurer, Earl Wright; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Esther L. Anderson.

United States Senators:

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, E. V. Robertson.

1941: Wyoming

Area and Population.

A Rocky Mountain state, whose name, meaning 'large plains,' is from the Indian 'Maugh-wau-wa ma,' Wyoming is sometimes called the 'Equality State' because it was the first to adopt equal suffrage in 1869. Wyoming was first settled in 1834, became a territory by Act of Congress July 25, 1868, and after several changes in boundaries, was admitted to the Union, July 10, 1890, as the forty-fourth state. It ranks eighth among the states in area, with 97,548 sq. mi. of land surface, and 366 sq. mi. of surface water, according to remeasurements of the United States undertaken for the 1940 census.

In 1940 there were 250,742 persons in the twenty-three counties of Wyoming. This is an increase of 11.2 per cent since the 1930 census. The native white race predominates, with 245,008, and there are 5,734 aliens. There are also 2,426 Indians of the Shoshone and Arapahoe Tribes on State Reservations. Cheyenne, the capital, is the largest city, with 22,474 inhabitants; Casper, the second city, has 17,964; Laramie, 10,627; and Sheridan, 10,529.

Education.

Public education was a provision of the first session of the Territorial Assembly in 1869. There is only one institution of higher learning, the State University at Laramie, founded fifty-four years ago. Its present enrollment is 2,200. The University of Wyoming operates eight experimental farms in widely scattered sections of the state, to provide farmers and ranchers with practical information on latest agricultural practices, and to test new varieties of crops and livestock to determine whether they are suited to Wyoming.

The public school enrollment, according to the latest available figures, is 56,220. The total public-school expenses, for 1939-40, according to the report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, were $6,025,333.13.

Agriculture.

While 1,500,000 A. are under irrigation, and 1,000,000 A. are cultivated under dry-farming methods, agriculture is still in the experimental stage. Sugar-beet acreage was decreased in 1941 to 39,000 A. from 44,000 A. The total yield was 541,393 tons, with a cash value of about $3,300,000.00. There are five modern sugar refineries in the state.

Other important crops are wheat, oats, hay, barley, potatoes, corn, and beans. Honey is also a valuable product.

Wyoming has long been important for the cattle and sheep industry; the total estimated value in January 1941, was $75,116,000. The most important single item in the livestock industry was the estimated 779,000 head of cattle and calves valued at $35,482,000. The state's 3,430,000 sheep produced 33,271,000 pounds of wool, and placed Wyoming second among wool-growing states. The cash income from Wyoming's wool crop was $9,316,000.

Industry.

The principal manufacturing industries total about 310 establishments, which produce goods valued at more than $45,000,000. Oil refining, sugar refining, the processing of bentonite, and cheese manufacturing, lead. The output of over 1,635,234 pounds of both Swiss and American cheese places Wyoming fifth in the United States as a cheese producer.

Mineral Products.

Petroleum was again the most important mineral product of the state in 1940, with 25,683,000 bbl. representing a decided gain over 1939, when the value of the oil was $18,150,000. Bituminous coal advanced slightly in amount, to 5,748,000 tons. The flow of natural gas increased over that of 1939 by almost 45 per cent, amounting to 38,943,000 M. cu. ft. The largest deposit of high quality bentonite in the world is in Weston County, and three processing plants located there have made this section the center of the unusual and distinctive bentonite industry.

Wyoming is now in sixth place for oil and by-products production, with immense reserves of petroleum, as yet untapped.

Finance.

The State Legislature (1941) appropriated $4,200,923.80 for the operation of state government for the biennial period 1941-1943. The general welfare costs, 1941-1943, are estimated at $3,000,000. Before 1935, the state had no general relief program. The Federal Government does not take part in Wyoming's general relief which is financed largely by various taxes.

Tax sources in Wyoming are a two-per-cent sales tax and use tax, real and personal property tax, gasoline tax, excise tax on liquor, auto license tax, highway wheel tax, inheritance tax, and insurance company fees. The sales tax produces about $1,900,000 a year, while liquor commission earnings total $600,000 per year.

Banking.

Wyoming has 32 state banks and 26 national banks and trust companies. During 1940-41. combined banking resources totaled $86,942,535, an increase of $8,015,278. Deposits of individuals and corporations were $77,751,694, an increase of $7,720,250. Loans and discounts aggregated $27,002,256, an increase of $1,325,561.

Legislature.

The Legislature meets biennially in the odd years, on the second Tuesday of January, for a session of 40 days. The 1941 Senate was composed of 16 Republicans and 11 Democrats. The House of Representatives, for the first time in state history, was evenly divided — 28 Democrats and 28 Republicans.

State Officers.

Governor, Nels H. Smith; Secretary of State, Dr. L. C. Hunt; Treasurer, Mart Christensen; Auditor, Wm. (Scotty) Jack; Supt. of Public Instruction, Esther Anderson; Attorney General, Ewing T. Kerr.

United States Senators:

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Harry Schwartz.

1940: Wyoming

Area and Population.

First settled in 1834, Wyoming became a territory by Act of Congress July 25, 1868, and after several changes in boundaries, was admitted to the Union July 10, 1890, as the forty-fourth state. According to the 1940 census, 250,742 persons reside in 23 counties, whose combined area is 97,548 sq. mi. Wyoming still ranks forty-seventh among the states in population, in spite of an 11.2 per cent increase since 1930 (225,565). The native white race predominates, with 241,029. The population includes 5,734 aliens.

Cheyenne, the capital, is the largest city, with a population of 22,474; Casper ranks second with 17,964; Laramie has 10,627; and Sheridan, 10,529.

Recreation.

Cool climate, numerous mountain ranges, streams and lakes well stocked with fish, and great areas of wild country almost untouched by man make Wyoming increasingly important and attractive to tourists in summer. Hunting and winter sports have a wide appeal in fall and winter. Licenses are issued for hunting ducks, geese, antelope, moose, mountain sheep, elk, deer and bear. The largest herds of wild elk in the world (approximately 7,000 head) are fed each winter at Jackson, Wyoming. Almost all of the state's 3,000 miles of oiled roads are kept open throughout the winter.

The Old West is revived each summer in a number of celebrations, the most famous being Cheyenne's 'Frontier Days,' the 'Daddy of 'Em All,' held each year during the last week of July.

Education.

Statistics for 1939 showed that Wyoming's population then included 72,283 of school age. Of these, 39,395 were enrolled in elementary schools and 16,825 in high schools. The annual average salary in 1938 was $665 in rural schools, $1,152 in elementary schools, and $1,435 in high schools. In the school year 1939-40 the state expended $6,025,333.18 on education.

During 1940, bus manuals were compiled and distributed by the State Board of Education to all school districts and school bus drivers, in the hope that well planned regulations and specifications may make bus transportation more safe and efficient. The putting into effect of the Equalization Law brought aid to needy school districts. In cooperation with the WPA and for the promotion of better health, school lunches were introduced into many schools. A remedial reading program has been set up for the benefit of children who lack reading skill.

Industry.

Wyoming's principal industries are oil refining and sugar refining. The state has also important creameries, cheese factories, and flour mills. It has long been important for its sheep and cattle. The annual wool clip yields approximately 31,389,000 pounds.

Agriculture.

While 1,500,000 acres are under irrigation and 1,000,000 acres are cultivated under dry-farming methods, agriculture is still in an experimental stage. The Kendrick (Casper-Alcova) reclamation project and irrigation enterprise, when completed, will irrigate 66,000 acres, taking water from the North Platte River. Growing seed beans has become an outstanding industry in the northern part of the State.

Mineral Products.

Production of petroleum in 1939 exceeded by about 3,000,000 bbl. the total of 1938, when 19,022,000 bbl. were valued at approximately $18,000,000. Bituminous coal was slightly in excess of the quantity mined in 1938, the amount being 5,383,000 tons. Natural gas output was also close to that of the preceding year, at 37,779,000 M. cu. ft.

Finance.

The twenty-fourth State Legislature (1939) appropriated $3,686,826.25 for the operation of state government for the biennial period 1939-1941.

Banking.

Wyoming has 32 State Banks, and 26 National Banks and Trust Companies (as of latest report of State Examiner, June 29, 1940). Combined banking resources are $75,797,806.25, consisting of $21,444,644.92 in 32 State Banks, and $54,353,161.33 in 26 National Banks. Demand deposits of individuals and corporations amount to $28,819,031.78; time deposits of individuals and corporations to $22,373,500.86; and U. S. and Postal Savings to $407,446.36.

The net increase of combined banking resources over 1939 was $3,390,165.93, and shows a firm financial situation. The average cash reserves in State Banks, June 29, 1940, were 43.79 per cent. The average cash reserves in National Banks June 29, 1940, were 43.44 per cent.

State Officers.

Governor, Nels H. Smith; Secretary of State, Dr. L. C. Hunt; Treasurer, Mart Christensen; Auditor, Wm. (Scotty) Jack; Attorney General, Ewing T. Kerr; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Esther Anderson.

United States Senators:

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Harry Schwartz.

1939: Wyoming

Area and Population.

The name Wyoming, meaning 'large plains,' is from the Indian Maugh-wau-wa-ma. It is sometimes called the 'Equality State' because it was the first to adopt equal suffrage, in 1869. Wyoming was first settled in 1834, became a Territory by Act of Congress July 25, 1868, and after several changes in boundaries was admitted to the Union July 10, 1890. The population numbers 225,565 persons (1930 census) who reside in 23 counties whose total area is 97,548 miles. The white race predominates with 214,067. There are also 1,025 Negroes, and all other races total 10,248. Cheyenne, the capital, is the largest city, with a population of 17,361, and Casper the second city with 16,619 inhabitants (1930 census).

Agriculture.

While 1,500,000 acres are under irrigation and 1,000,000 acres are cultivated under dry-farming methods, agriculture is still in an experimental state. The principal crops are corn, wheat, hay (tame and wild), beans, sugar beets and other grains. Several beet sugar factories are located within the State. Growing seed beans has become an outstanding industry in the northern section of the state.

Wyoming has long been important for the sheep and cattle industry. The wool clip of 1938 yielded 31,389,000 pounds.

Mineral Products.

The output of petroleum, the state's most valuable product, was close to the high figure for 1937, with an estimated total of 19,004,000 bbl. for 1938. Coal production was slightly below that of the preceding year, with 5,200,000 tons, compared with 5,918,359 in 1937 valued at $11,600,000. The flow of natural gas increased, on the contrary, to 38,000,000 M. cu. ft. as against 31,023,000 (value, $4,997,000) in 1937.

Education.

Public education was a provision of the first session of the Territorial Assembly in 1869, and its effectiveness was confirmed by the 1939 census, which showed illiteracy to be only 1.6 per cent of the total population.

The cost of transporting children to schools in the 23 counties of the state was $432,586.29, or an average of $43.45 per pupil transported.

Of special importance to state education during 1939 was the enactment of a law providing that the State of Wyoming accept the provisions of the 'Federal Aid to Education Act.' The State Board of Education is administrator and the State Treasurer is custodian of all educational funds. The 1939 Legislature also amended the School Equalization Fund Law to provide for distribution of any such funds by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

A bill to pension the teachers of Wyoming passed both Houses of the 1939 Legislature, but was vetoed by the Governor.

Legislative Matters.

The Wyoming Legislature meets biennially in the odd years, on the second Tuesday of January, for a period of forty days. The greater part of the 1939 session was devoted to a revision of the Game and Fish Law. Motor vehicle fees for registration were reduced to $5.00 on passenger cars, and reduction was made for licenses on motorcycles, trailers and semi-trailers. A motor-vehicle traffic code was also adopted.

A joint resolution of the Legislature provides that an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Wyoming be submitted at the next general election, proposing that all money belonging to the state, or to a county, city, town, village or other sub-division therein, shall, whenever practicable, be deposited in a National Bank or in banks incorporated under the Laws of Wyoming.

Other banking legislation passed in 1939 had to do with securities which may be used by a depository as security for deposits of public money; and the specification of investments in Federal Land Bank Bonds, Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation Bonds and Loans under the National Housing Act. Articles of Association and Charters of Banks were also revised and defined, and the State Examiner was given full authority to grant application for charter.

Banking and Finance.

There are 32 state banks and 20 National Banks and Trust Companies in Wyoming, whose combined resources as of June, 1939, were $72,407,640.32. This is a net increase of $6,262,407.32 over the combined banking resources of one year ago, and shows a firm financial situation.

The Twenty-Fourth State Legislature appropriated $3,686,826.25 for the operation of the state Government for the biennial period 1939-41, delegated to the following departments: Legislative, $80,700.00; Administrative, $1,258,281.00; Judicial, $222,158.00; Charitable and Penal Institutions, $1,058,552.71; University of Wyoming, $812,000.00; Special and Extraordinary, $255,134.54. Total, $3,686,826.25.

For the same period, the sum of $448,196.00 was appropriated to the following departments: Public Welfare Department, $81,655.00; Sales Tax Division, $132,605.00; Wyoming Liquor Commission, $170,331.00; Workmen's Compensation, $63,605.00. Total, $448,196.00.

State Institutions.

The charitable, penal and reformatory institutions of Wyoming include the following: Wyoming Girls' School at Sheridan; State Children's Home at Casper; Wyoming General Hospital at Rock Springs; Wyoming Industrial Institute at Worland; Wyoming State Hospital at Evanston; Wyoming State Penitentiary at Rawlins; Penitentiary Farm at Riverton; Wyoming Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Buffalo; Wyoming State Training School at Lander; Wyoming Tuberculosis Sanitorium at Basin.

State Officers.

At the inauguration ceremonies on January 2, 1939, the following officers were installed: Governor, Nels H. Smith; Secretary of State, Dr. L. C. Hunt; Treasurer, Mart Christensen; Auditor, Wm. 'Scotty' Jack; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Esther Anderson; Attorney General, Ewing T. Kerr.

United States Senators.

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Harry Schwartz.

1938: Wyoming

Area and Population.

The name of Wyoming is from the Indian Maugh-wan-wa-ma meaning 'large plains.' It was nicknamed 'Equality State' because it was the first to adopt equal suffrage, in 1869. Admitted to statehood July 10, 1890, Wyoming ranks 8th in size among the states, with an area of 97,914 sq. mi. In population it ranks 47th, numbering 225,565 according to the census of 1930; 235,000 on July 1, 1937, according to a Federal estimate. The largest cities are Cheyenne, the capital, 17,361; and Casper, 16,619. Other outstanding towns are Laramie where the State University is located; Sheridan; Cody; the home of Buffalo Bill, and the eastern entrance to Yellowstone Park; Rock Springs; and Rawlins, where the State Penitentiary is located. Of the 1930 population the white race numbered 214,067; Negroes, 1,025; other races, 10,248.

Topography and Climate.

Lofty plains traversed by the Rocky Mountains characterize the state. In the eastern section the plains are grassy; the western plateaus are covered with the characteristic sage brush.

Wyoming has two National Parks and a National Monument within its boundaries. Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, was the first national park in the United States. Teton National Park was established in 1929. The largest herd of buffalo in the world (approximately 7,000 head) are fed during the winter season at Jackson Hole in the Teton National Park Region. The Devil's Tower, located in northeastern Wyoming, was in 1906 the first national monument to be set apart.

The climate of Wyoming is that of high elevations, with rarefied air. Extremes of temperature exist for a short period each year. Records show the maximum to be 116° above zero and the minimum 45° below.

Agriculture.

Agriculture is still in an experimental stage in Wyoming; however, 1,500,000 acres are now under irrigation and 1,000,000 acres are being successfully cultivated through dry farming methods. The principal crops are corn, wheat, hay (tame and wild), beans, sugar beets and other grains. Cattle and sheep raising is still an important industry and the wool clip for 1938 yielded 31,389,000 pounds (preliminary estimate).

Mineral Products.

The year 1937 showed large increases in Wyoming's most important products, oil and gas. The former amounted to 19,166,000 bbl. as against 14,582,000 bbl. (value, $13,700,000) in the previous year. The natural gas flow rose to 35,702,342 M cu. ft. from 29,322,000 M cu. ft. in 1936. The increase was mainly in the Salt Creek field. Coal production was slightly in excess of that for 1936, amounting to 5,930,000 tons.

Education.

Provision for public education was made at the first session of the Territorial Assembly in 1869. That it has been effective is verified by the 1930 census which showed the record of illiteracy to be only 1.6 per cent, while 73.7 per cent of the school population between the ages of five and twenty years were enrolled in the public schools of the state.

The libraries of the state rank fourth in the United States, according to statistics of the American Library Association, which show that only four per cent of Wyoming's population is without library service. This high rating is due to the state-wide system of county libraries.

Banking.

The banking situation has operated normally the past year, with earnings somewhat lower than might be desired but reports show that the banks are operating on a firm basis.

Legislation.

There was no legislation during 1938 as the Wyoming Legislature meets biennially in the odd years.

State Officers.

Wyoming has been governed by the Democratic Party since 1932; however, the November 1938 election was a reversal and as a result of that election, the chief officers are as follows: Governor, Nels H. Smith (Republican); Secretary of State, Dr. L. C. Hunt; Treasurer, Mart Christensen; Auditor, Wm. 'Scotty' Jack; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Esther Anderson.

United States Senators:

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Harry Schwartz.