1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/Massachusetts

MASSACHUSETTS (see ). &mdash; The pop. in 1920 was 3,852,356, an increase of 485,940 or 14.4% since 1910, as against 20% in the preceding decade. Nearly one-third of the state's inhabitants lived in metropolitan Boston. Less than 1.3% were negroes; 27.9% were foreign born, of whom 24.4% came from Canada. The average density of pop. was 479.2 per sq.m., as against 418.8 in 1910. The urban pop. (in 169 places of more than 2,500) was 94.8% of the whole as against 92.8% in 1910. The pop. of the 13 chief cities was: &mdash;

History. &mdash; During the decade 1910-20 the most important laws enacted by the Legislature were the following: In 1912 a minimum-wage board was established with the right to determine wages of women and children. The inheritance law was amended so that only the real estate of a deceased non-resident is taxed, personal property taxes going to the state of residence. A 1913 law provided for the establishment and maintenance of continuation schools and instruction for working-children. A number of pure-food laws were enacted; also, a law providing for mothers' pensions. Laws relating to elections were so amended that on application signed by 1,200 voters in any senatorial district, or by 200 voters in any representative district, asking for the submission to the voters of any question of instruction to senators or representatives, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall determine if such a question is one of public policy, and, if so determined, he shall place such question on the official ballot

to be used at the next state election. Women voters were given the right of voting for candidates for school committees in 1881. In 1914 a measure was passed submitting to the people a constitutional amendment giving suffrage to women, suffrage being finally granted June 25 1919. In 1916 the civil and criminal jurisdiction of district or municipal courts was extended so that their process runs throughout the state and makes them courts of superior and general jurisdiction. An income tax was enacted. A new law to prevent misstatements in advertising went into effect May 25. An Act forbidding the sale of narcotic drugs, except by prescriptions carefully regulated, was passed in 1917. Massachusetts in 1918 ratified the Federal Prohibition amendment, being the 11th state to do this. That same year a budget system was adopted, also commissions were created to investigate the educational system of the state. The Legislature in 1919 made absentee-voting possible for those in military or naval service and others who make proper arrangements. It also passed a law making all Acts approved by the executive, unless subject to referendum, take effect 30 days after formal enactment. Emergency laws take effect upon passage. The maximum amount of deposit in savings banks was raised to $4,000. Manufacturing corporations can provide for representation of their employees upon the board of directors if more than half the employees so decide by secret ballot. Industrial accident compensation was increased. The income tax was revised. An Act reorganizing the executive and administrative functions of the state Government, approved July 23 1919, established many new departments, and a metropolitan district commission was authorized, with general supervision over the metropolitan area. The Legislature of 1920 passed a law providing for a state constabulary. Motion-pictures within the state were censored. Women were allowed to hold office. Suits were permitted by and against voluntary associations. Important &ldquo;blue sky&rdquo; legislation was enacted.

During the World War many emergency measures were passed by the Legislature. The subscriptions to the Liberty Loans were as follows: first, $177,236,400; second, $317,799,250; third, $228,329,750; fourth, $405,257,500; and to the Victory Loan, $252,767,450. Approximately 200,000 men were enlisted in the service of the Federal Government.

The governors for the decade were: Eugene M. Foss (Dem.), 1911-4; David I. Walsh (Dem.), 1914-6; Samuel W. McCall (Rep.), 1916-9; Calvin D.Coolidge (Rep.), 1910-20; and Channing H. Cox (Rep.), 1920-. The opening on July 29 1914 of a canal across Cape Cod shortened by 70 m. the distance by water from New York to Boston. (Author:Frederick Albert Cleveland)