PROGRESS REPORT
by the
GOVERNOR
to the
General Assembly January 1959

Progress Report
by the Governor
TRANSMITTED TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY 1959
It is a genuine privilege for me to submit to you herewith a report pointing out some of the major highlights of the progress our state has made during this administration.
Figures found in this report will show that this state is now witnessing the greatest forward-progress enjoyed since its foundation.
In all departments and divisions the operations have been carried out with business-like efficiency and with the greatest of economy.
This great achievement of our state could not have been carried forward without the support and cooperation of the members of the two branches of the General Assembly and without the solid endorsement and approval of the masses of the people of Georgia.
It is my hope that this report will be read carefully inasmuch as the figures quoted indicate that we are now setting new high records for efficiency and progress in all our state departments and divisions.
Let us continue, as Georgians, to work in unity and harmony to make even greater achievements in the future.

Education

During the past four years Georgia has made gigantic strides in the field of education. There have been improvements and advancements in all areas of state education-from the Common Schools through the University System.
Common School Education
The total number of children enrolled in Georgia schools is greater than ever before. Nearly a million pupils are now attending our public schools. This factor has necessitated hiring additional teachers, constructing new buildings, and improving existing facilities.
The state appropriation for common school education has increased from $104,979,418. 72 in 1954-55 to $145,610,000 in 1958-59. This is an annual increase of $40,630,581.28 during this administration. In four years the number of state allotted teachers has increased from 26,979 in 1954-55 to 29,900 in 1958-59, or 3,103 more than four years ago.
It has been during this administration that Georgia's educational progress has actually achieved its goal of equal opportunity for all children. Previously, there was no high school available for a number of Georgia children, especially Negro children, in their own communities-nor were there transportation facilities that would have enabled them to attend high school elsewhere. Now for the first time, a high school education is within the reach of every child in Georgia, with a full ninemonth school, and a free educational program from the first through the twelfth grades.
There have been 664 new school buses added during this administration, bringing our total to 4,909 now in operation. These buses are used to transport children in the

rural areas who live more than 1 miles from school. There are now 420,793 children riding buses daily. The allocation for transportation has increased from $9,505,000 in 1954-55 to $12,355,000 in 195859. More than half of this appropriation goes to bus driver. salaries.
In our efforts to provide a quality education for our children, the state has allocated over a million dollars for textbooks, libraries, and audio-visual aids. The Rural Library Program has made it possible for people in the most remote rural areas of Georgia to receive the best in reading material. Bookmobiles are now serving 106 counties, whereas in 1954-55 only 87 counties were being served. The Audio-Visual Department is doing fine experimental work with closed circuit educational programs on television, and the department's educational film library is the largest in the world.
The state allocation for vocational education has increased from $1,788,567 in 1954-55 to $2,227,339.78 in 1958-59. A large improvement and expansion program at the North Georgia Trade and Vocational School in Clarkesville and the South Georgia Trade and Vocational School in Americus has necessitated an additional outlay of funds during this administration. Many new buildings, including dormitories, shops, and dining facilities, have been constructed in both locations. These schools are providing Georgia's many new industries with well-trained, competent personnel.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program's state allocation has increased from $936,430.00 in 1954-55 to $1,449,900 this year. In four years, facilities at the Georgia Academy for the Blind at Macon have been improved and expanded at a cost of $360,488.44 for new buildings and equipment. Improvements costing $633,323.09 have been made at the Georgia School for the

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Deaf at Cave Spring during the past four years.
As a result, Georgia was first in the nation in 1958 in the number of persons rehabilitated. Over 20,000 disabled Georgians have been restored to a position of self-support during this administration.
Georgians may take pride in knowing that the state's schools are well-staffed with efficient and capable teachers. Eighty-six per cent of our teachers now have four or more years of college preparation, and each summer one out of every five teachers attends school to raise their professional qualifications. In 1958, for instance, many of them returned to universities and science centers to study methods of bringing new and important atomic age science and learnings into classrooms throughout the state. Georgia's teachers have had an increase in

pay every year since 1955; the 1958-59 average salary of a Georgia teacher is $3,625 as compared to 1954-55 average of $2,888. Because of increased salaries, new retirement and sick leave benefits, fewer teachers are leaving their field for positions in private industries and jobs in other states.
The curriculum for Georgia high schools has been reappraised and redesigned to meet modern requirements. Revisions now require additional math and science course.
From January, 1955 to December 1958, there were 413 new school plants completed and a total of 3,577 classrooms added to our school systems. In addition, 458 remodeling and expansion projects were completed.
229 new schools and 4,556 classrooms have also been constructed for Negroes.

University System

There are eighteen institutions functioning as integral parts of the University System of Georgia. The state appropriation for these colleges and universities has increased from $11,545,320 in 1954-55 to $22,368,000 in 1958-59. The 1958-59 state appropriation for capital improvements is $2,515,000 as compared with $316,216 in 1954-55. Four years ago there were 25,985 cumulative enrollments in the institutions of the University System: this year the figure has increased to 30,500. Faculties have been enlarged, and the salaries of faculty members have been increased an average of $1,224 from $4,624 in 1954-55 to $5,848 in 1958-59.
The Science Center now under construction at the University of Georgia will, when completed, be one of the most magnificent and thoroughly modern concourses of learning in the South. The buildings will include new headquarters for the Department of physics and astronomy, chemistry department, mathematics-geography-geology, live-

stock-poultry, food technology, and biological sciences. With the new equipment, most of these departments will be able to offer doctorates in many fields for the first time. The initial unit completed in the $12,500,000 center is the physics and astronomy building. The Science Center will make important areas of scientific research possible, and will be of great value to Georgia's industry and agriculture, as well as its great educational value.
In April 1956 this administration granted $300,000 for the construction of a radioisotopes laboratory at Georgia Tech. This grant enabled the institution to appeal to the Atomic Energy Commission for additional support, and as a result grants of over $250,000 for equipment has been awarded Georgia Tech. These funds and equipment have enabled Tech to begin a graduate program that soon will be furnishing Georgia and the South with much needed nuclear engineers and scientists. In June 1956 the state allocated additional

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funds to Georgia Tech to initiate an industrial development research program that will aid the state in securing new industry and expanding and improving our present industry. During the latter part of 1957 this administration transferred $2,500,000 to Georgia Tech to build a nuclear energy research reactor. This reactor will place Georgia in the position of becoming the center of nuclear energy research development in the southeast.
The new $2,000,000 Southern Technical Institute, to be located near Marietta, will be designed to supply highly specialized technical training to thousands of Georgia youth. The original institute was located at the Naval Base in Chamblee, and housed in temporary barrack-like structures. It is equipped to handle only about 800 students. The new campus will consist of ap-

proximately 116 acres of land, and will be equipped to handle about 1,800 students. Southern Tech will be one of the leading institutions of its type in the nation, and the training it supplies will make a significant contribution toward industrial growth and development of our state and of the entire southern region.
Construction of a permanent home in Atlanta for the Southern Regional Education Board was completed in 1958. Costing $250,000, the modern, two-story building is located near the Georgia Tech Campus. Allocation of $250,000 was made to the Board of Regents for its construction. Title to the building is vested in the Board of Regents, and the SREB is to be assessed $10,000 annually by the state of Georgia for 25 years, after which the building will be occupied rent-free.

Public Safety

Safety on our public roads and highways has been a primary concern of this administration. A conscientious and determined effort has been made to cut down the number of deaths on our highways.
In 1955 the average death rate per 100 million miles driven was 7.6 persons. As of November 1, 1958 this death rate had dropped to 5.7 persons. According to figures from the National Safety Council, as of December 1, 1958, Georgia enjoyed a 19 percent decrease in traffic deaths compared to the same period in 1956.
The appropriation for the Department of Public Safety has almost doubled during this administration. This appropriation was $4,468,321.06 in 1958-59 compared to $2,444,000 in 1954-55.
The salaries of all employees in the uniform division have been increased. At the present time, troopers are recruited at $350 per month, compared to $285 in 1954-55. After five years service, they now receive

$400 compared to $322.50 in 1954-55. Administration-supported legislation passed by the 1958 General Assembly provided salary increase on a longevity basis for five or more years of service, beginning with a 5 per cent increase.
Georgia now boasts one of the finest Patrol Headquarters in the country. This modern structure, which was dedicated in February 1957, was constructed at a cost of $1,131,413.75. In addition to this new building, the housing facilities for the various State Patrol Stations throughout the state have been greatly improved since 1955.
The facilities of the crime laboratory have been considerably expanded in order to meet the increased demands of peace officers and medical examiners. In addition to the laboratory in the new headquarters building in Atlanta, a branch was established in Savannah in 1956. These two laboratories combined handled a total of 3,731 cases in 1957.

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Public Health

Expansion of public health services in Georgia has been the theme of the health program during this administration. The formation of district health departments throughout the state plus the Hill-Burton hospital and health center construction have combined to bring this expansion about very rapidly.
The district plan, which divides Georgia's 15 9 counties into 38 health districts, is not only an efficient arrangement, but an economic necessity. Previously, the majority of the counties had to operate their health departments without a health commissioner due to the shortage of qualified health commissioners and the high cost factor. Under the district plan, one health officer, with an experienced nurse and engineer, directs the health work carried on in all the counties comprising the district. It is said that under this plan, every community in Georgia is provided health services, and almost every communicable disease can now be controlled. There are now 22 districts in operation under the district plan, all of them having been activated during the past four years. There has been a general increase in the number of health commissioners, public health nurses, sanitariums, and clerical personnel whose services to the citizens of Georgia have been made more effective by the efficiency of the district plan.
The Hill-Burton Program for hospital construction was originally set up as a five year project in 1947. Since 1952 it has been extended two years at a time. In 1954, Congress included an additional provision which authorized construction of diagnostic and treatment centers, nursing homes, chronic disease facilities and rehabilitation centers.
Since January 1955, there have been 26 new hospitals completed, placed under con-

struction, or approved at a total cost of $27,968,626.97 in state, federal, and local funds. Additions and alterations to existing hospitals have also been completed, placed under construction or approved for a total cost of $23,539,245.45. These new hospitals, additions and alterations have added a total of 2,799 beds to our hospital system.
One of Georgia's pressing public health and social problems is the need for adequate facilities and services to provide care for persons suffering from the infirmities of old age. While much remains to be done, considerable progress in dealing with this problem has been made during the past four years. Approximately 4,000 people are residing in 156 nursing homes and related institutions. Four years ago, only 28 per cent of these institutions were considered acceptable. Today, more than 50 per cent of these homes are considered acceptable, and a number of others are making excellent progress. Arrangements have recently been made to bring the resources of county health departments to bear upon the problem, and it is expected that this move will further increase the progress that has been made.
Ninety-eight public health centers have been constructed in Georgia since 1947. Twenty-six of these have been completed since January 1955, eleven are under construction, four are approved for construction, and six additions have been made to existing health centers. In addition to the health centers, a nursing home, rehabilitation centers, diagnostic and treatment centers, and a chronic disease hospital have been approved or placed under construction since January 1955. The total construction program since that time amounts to $67,047,750.00.
Fine work is being done by the state's various programs for the prevention and

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control of communicable and crippling diseases.
The Battey State Hospital has done an -outstanding job in the treatment of tuberculosis. With the aid of new drugs and improvements in patient care, this hospital is running a smaller census of patients, while at the same time admitting more patients during the course of the year for shorter periods of confinement. In 1954, the number of persons killed by tuberculosis was 341; in 1957 it had dropped to 262. More people than ever before are now receiving state assistance for diagnostic of treatment services for cancer.
In 1957, there were 4,316 state aid patients examined in 20 cancer clinics, and of these about 75 per cent had cancer, and received appropriate treatment. Funds provided for the treatment of these patients amounted to $400,000 during the fiscal year of 1957-58.
In the 16 heart clinics throughout the state, a concentrated program for the prevention of rheumatic fever is being conducted. The program has been extended to cover any patient unable to pay for the prophylaxis medication. The Health Department, in cooperation with the Georgia Heart Association, has recently provided funds for equipping a cardiovascular laboratory in Atlanta to aid in the diagnosis of complicated cases of congenital heart disease.

The most efficient and economical venereal disease control program ever operated in Georgia is going on at the present time. The program is based on case-finding and on short term treatment with penicillin, without hospitalization. Treatment is carried on in local health departments and in eight area diagnostic and treatment centers. A new system of venereal disease investigation known as the "cluster" technique was developed in Georgia by the State Health Department and the U. S. Public Health Service. In this system, the known associates of syphilis cases, as well as the contacts named by cases themselves, are located and examined. Since July 1956, 1015 cases of primary and secondary syphilis have thus provided investigators with the names of 20,639 suspects of whom 19,811 were located, bringing to treatment 979 new cases which might not otherwise have been discovered.
Since the introduction of Salk Vaccine in 1954, great progress has been made toward the prevention of polio. In attempting to prevent the disease in younger children, the State Health Department provides local health departments with free vaccine for children under school age; the funds for this vaccine are allocated by the state. Through December 6, 1958 there were only 55 cases of polio in Georgia, a decrease from the 78 cases reported during the same period last year.

Stone Mountain Memorial Park

On recommendation of the Governor, the 1958 General Assembly created the Stone Mountain Memorial Association and provided for purchase of the mountain and adjacent property.
During 1958, $1,500,000 was expended for the purchase of 1,600 acres, which in-

eludes the mountain itself, and two small adjoining parcels. Also, DeKalb County gave 440 acres to the state.
With the purchase of the necessary property, the Association is now ready to begin work on the construction of the park and the completion of the carving.

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Public Welfare-Assistance

During the first fiscal year of this administration, more funds were available to match Federal funds and the Welfare Program swelled to an all-time high of 65,084,889. In 1957-58, it rose to a sum of $75,301,511 with the State providing a record $19,000,000.
State appropriations totaling $19,900,000, including transfer from State surplus of $1,663,000 will provide for additional expansion of the assistance rolls for the cur-

rent year ending June 30, 1959. The number of persons receiving aid has
increased from 148,645 in 1954-55 to 165,734 as of December 1958. The average monthly payments in 1954-55 were $37.51 for old age assistance, $41.90 for aid to the disabled, $42.80 for aid to the blind, $26.91 for aid to dependent children.
Increases in the number of persons receiving aid are shown in the following comparison:

DECEMBER 1954

Program

Number of lnclividuals

Old Age Assistance __ ----------------------------------------------Aid to the Blind -------------------------------------Aid to Dependent Children _____________________
Aid to Permanently and Totally Disabled _ __ TotaL_________________

97,489 3,303
39,720 8,133
148,645

Amount
$3,657,173.00 141,366.00
1,068,688.00 340,754.00
$5,207,981.00

Average Award
$37.51 42.80 ~ 26.91 41.90 $35.04

DECEMBER 1958
Old Age Assistance ________________________ Aid to the Blind _____________ Aid to Dependent Children _________ Aid to Disabled _______________
TotaL__________________________________

98,576 3,530
46,564 17,064
165,734

$4,754,329.00 187,012.00
1,452,021.00 885,643.00
$7,279,005.00

$48.23 52.98 31.18 51.90
$43.92

Allocations of State funds for capital improvements at the institutions during the past three fiscal years, July 1, 1955 to June 30, 1958, and current fiscal year to date, were as follows:

Institution

Amount

Milledgeville State Hospital ------------------------------------------ $1,244,436.57

School for Mental Defectives ______ --------------------------------- 2,716,149.49

Training School for Boys White Division ________________ ------------------ ___ __________________ 550,000.00

Colored Division ________ ----------------------------- ___ --------------- 150,000.00

Training School for Girls

White Division ---------------------------------------- ________________ 200,507.84

Factory for the Blind _________________________ ------------------------- 98,242.05

Total _ _ __

$4,959,335.95

Included in the above amount are transfers from State surplus funds of $800,000.00 for fiscal year 1956-57 and $530,000.00 for fiscal year 1957-58.
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Allocations of State funds to the eight eleemosynary institutions under the control and management of this Department during the past three fiscal years and current year were as follows:

FISCAL YEAR

1955-56

1956-57

Milledgeville State Hospital

Regular -----

$ 8,797,030.00 $ 8,985,670.00

Special-Reconstruction 1,500,100.00

School for Mental

Defectives ---------- ----------
Training School for Boys White Division ______________

825,346.90 1,026,500.00 434,400.00 482,000.00

Colored Division __________

168,700.00

170,000.00

Training School for Girls

White Division -----------Colored Division __________

161,500.00 45,050.00

162,000.00 46,000.00

Confederate Soldiers

Home ---------------- ---------Factory for the Blind ______

35,703.10 200,000.00

40,000.00 116,000.00

Total _______________________ $12,167,830.00 $11,028,170.00

1957-58
$ 9,944,600.00
1,175,000.00
510,000.00 190,000.00
170,400.00 51,000.00
44,000.00 100,000.00 $12,185,000.00

1958-59
$ 9,935,000.00
1,650,000.00
585,000.00 190,000.00
220,000.00 51,000.00
44,000.00 100,000.00 $12,775,000.00

Analysis of allocation

Regular appropriation __ $ 8,930,000.00 $11,000,000.00

Surplus funds -------------- 3,237,830.00

28,170.00

Total ________________________ $12,167,830.00 $11,028,170.00

$11,000,000.00 1,185,000.00
$12,185,000.00

$11,000,000.00 1,775,000.00
$12,775,000.00

Military and Civil Defense

The Georgia National Guard now has
units located in 66 different communities
throughout the State. This compares with
57 communities in December 1954.
We have added 22 Army and Air National Guard units since January 1955. The total strength of the National Guard increased from 10,297 officers and men in 1954 to 13,529 in 1957. Strength ceilings placed on units by Department of Defense in 1957 have reduced this figure for 1958 to 10,967. Units in Georgia are currently at about 66% strength.

The total Guard program, excluding armory construction, has increased from $7,773,340.11 in 1954 to $13,361,058.83 in 1958.
Since the armory construction program began in 1953 there have been 41 armories completed in the State. Thirty-nine of these have been completed since January 1955 at a total cost of $4,150,734.71. Four others are now under construction for an additional $480,594.00. Three more are approved for construction in 1959 and thirteen others planned for construction at later dates.

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Highway Department

Today, the Highway Department is carrying a workload four times greater than that of a short four years ago. During 1958, there were approximately 136 million dollars spent for improving and constructing roads in Georgia. This included $124,361,140 let to contract by the De-
. partment, * approximately 10 million dol-
lars in city and county contracts, and some two million dollars in work performed by state maintenance forces. This compares to $38,192,616 let to contract by the Highway Department in 1954-55.
Increased Appropriation
The annual state appropriation for the Highway Department has advanced from $55,738,883.91 in 1954-55 to $73,687,608.10 in 1957-58. The total program for all phases of the Highway Department, including federal and state funds has increased from $69,153,182 to $149,478,646 during the same period. These figures do not include monies allotted under the Rural Roads Program.
Interstate Program
During this administration, the groundwork has been completed for the construction of some 1140 miles of interstate limited access highways in Georgia which are scheduled for completion within the next 13 years. As this administration leaves office plans are almost complete for the entire north-south and east-west portions of interstate highways. To date, a total of 101 miles of interstate highways already have been placed under construction.
Federal-Aid Projects
According to the latest figures from the

United States Department of Commerce, Georgia ranks first in the Southeast and eighth in the nation in the amount of federal-aid projects actually under construction. As of December 1958, Georgia had $137,972,903 in federal-aid highway projects under way. This figure includes interstate funds, primary and secondary funds, and other road construction projects involving federal funds.
Rural Roads
A total of $103,500,000 in bond funds have been provided for constructing roads in the rural areas of Georgia. Over 4,600 miles of rural roads and 324 bridges and culverts are being constructed under this program. All of the 159 counties in Georgia received at least 3 projects under the Rural Roads Program and only seven counties received less than one-half million dollars.
Engineer Recruitment Program
The acute shortage of engineers was of immediate concern when this administration came into office. This shortage has been solved to a great extent in two ways: a number of modern engineering techniques have been employed, such as the use of photogrametry and electronic computation in the design and planning of road and building projects; a recruiting program supplies graduates from the Southern Technical Institute for use as instrument men, draftsmen and inspectors, and graduates of Georgia Tech and similar institutions now are trained as future highway executives.
*Including costs for engineering and contingencies.

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Commerce and Industry

With the addition of more than 225 new industrial payrolls in 1958, Georgia maintained the four-year average rate of expansion established by its industrial community, at the same time consolidated its position as Number One industrial state in the Southeast.
The new industries established or announced during the year represent capital investment totalling approximately $110 million. They will provide 7,235 new jobs, and have payrolls aggregating $44 million.
Also, during the twelve-month period, more than 100 established industries announced or began expansion programs which will cost $107 million. These firms, through enlargement of plant facilities and installation of new, modern equipment, will increase the state's industrial payroll by 3,000 more workers.
Every Federal and regional survey of industrial and commercial progress continues to show Georgia in the forefront. In its most recent survey, the U. S. Department of Commerce shows Georgia leading the nation as a whole in rate of gain in 25 of 29 key segments of business and economy. In industry, Georgia is ahead of all other states in percentage advances in number of new manufacturing plants established, new industries of the larger class, expenditures for new plants and equipment, factory employment, factory payrolls, and value added by manufacture to products turned out.
For the first time in the history of Georgia, professional scientific research is being made in the state's potentials for opening up new areas of industry and expanding existing areas. An appropriation of $100,000, plus an allocation of $51,000 enabled the Georgia Department of Commerce to avail itself of the services of the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Forestry Research Foundation for these studies.

Completed or nearing completion by the Tech research staff are surveys covering metal working, frozen foods, plastics, air conditioners, Portland Cement, wood briquettes and particle board, electronics, light metal castings, amber glass, chemicals, and ceramics. The Forestry Research Foundation, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce, is exploring new methods for utilizing the waste products of the state's forestry industry. The Department of Commerce is working with the College of Agriculture, University of Georgia in completing a study of the food potentials of coastal bermuda grass, and studying the feasibility of processing coastal bermuda in pellet form. The Department of Commerce has on file potential manufacturers in all these fields.
In 1958 the Department of Commerce continued its extensive advertising of Georgia's industrial potentials and tourist attractions via leading national magazines and newspapers. Highlighting the year's program were ads proclaiming the state's leadership in adapting science to education for the benefit of atomic-age industry, and a pictorial story of Georgia tourist attractions.
The Department of Commerce distributed nearly three-quarters of a million pieces of industrial and tourist literature during the year. The Department's tourist films have been shown before most of the civic clubs and other similar organizations throughout Georgia, and in addition have averaged 20 showings monthly through the year on television stations across the nation.
An estimated $600 million dollars was left in the state by some 20,000,000 tourists in 1958. The state's large number of new and improved tourist attractions combined with our extensive highway building and improvement program have been a tremendous stimulus to tourism.

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Agriculture

The need for a more realistic and practical agricultural program was one of the primary concerns of this administration. With the cooperation of a progressive and far-sighted General Assembly, a number of laws were passed in 1956 which helped to strengthen our agricultural program. These laws were primarily for the benefit of our farmers in marketing their farm products. Other regulatory measures have been taken since that time to protect the farmer and insure better quality for the consumer.
This expanded program, along with improved marketing facilities has brought about an increase in funds appropriated to the Department of Agriculture. During the fiscal year 1957-58, the appropriation for this department reached an all-time high of $2,866,000.00. This compares to an appropriation of $1,983,665.75 in 1954-55. For the fiscal year 1958-59, $2,259,000.00 was appropriated to the Department of Agriculture.

Market Improvements

Since January 1955, great emphasis has

been placed on improving the physical fa-

cilities of the State Farmers' Markets

throughout Georgia.

One of the largest undertakings in the

history of Georgia Agriculture is the con-

struction of the new Atlanta Farmers Mar-

ket. This market, which embraces some

146 acres on U. S. 41 south of Atlanta,

cost approximately $10,000,000.00 and is

one of the finest of its kind in the world.

It was opened for operation January 1959.

Many other farm marketing facilities have

been constructed or improved during this

administration.

Total appropriations for State Farmers'

Markets from 1955 through December 4,

1958:

Americus

$101,676.17

Augusta

1,579.55

Blue Ridge

140,680.66

Cairo Cordele Dillard Donalsonville Glennville Moultrie Pelham Macon Thomasville Tifton Valdosta Butler Woodbury Columbus Vidalia Jesup Nashville Savannah Millen Buchanan

12,110.35 225,443.56
24,667.63 73,450.82 20,541.49 45,213.70 112,748.75 35,814.94 69,084.50 121,944.29
2,838.58 9,569.00 292,515.21 1,171.57
627 .00 89.60
22,846.22 25,447.32
7,080.44 564.49

Total appropriation for markets excluding $10,000,000.00 for new Atlanta Market.

$2,066,195.14 as of July 1957 530,082.69 July 1957-July 1958 53,017.75 July 1958-Dec. 1958

$2,649,295.58 Total
New Agricultural Building
One of the highlights of Georgia agriculture during this administration was the completion of the new agricultural building on Capital Square. This modern six-story edifice, constructed at a cost of $2,800,000 provides adequate facilities for carrying out the many and varied responsibilities of this department.
Egg Production
Rapid expansion has been noticed in the production of eggs during the past two years. In 1954, it was estimated that Georgia produced only 50 per cent of the eggs consumed within the state, and in 1956, 73 per cent of the state's consumption. To-

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day it is estimated Georgia produces 100 per cent of the eggs consumed in Georgia.
New Poultry Disease Laboratories
During this administration there have been new facilities erected and equipped for combating poultry disease in the state. New poultry disease laboratories have been put into operation at Cedartown, Dalton and Midville.
It has been reliably estimated that Georgia farmers realize a return of $30 for every dollar spent on agricultural research. For example, approximately 60 per cent of the total corn acreage in Georgia is in hybrids developed at the experiment stations. These hybrids will produce 5 bushels more per acre than the next best adapted hybrids. This wouid mean a return annually of $9,000,000 to Georgia farmers, which in itself is about seven times the annual appropriation for the total research program.
Agricultural Research Program
Both the state and federal governments have become aware that money spent for agricultural research is a sound investment. This administration has increased its annual allocation for agricultural research from $941,500 to $1,390,000.
The total program, including federal funds, has increased from $1,512,332 to $2,260,037. In addition, this administration has allocated $326,221 for the construction and operation of a Poultry Disease Laboratory at the College Experiment Station in Athens. Also, $150,000 has been allocated for improvements for the physical facilities at the three major experiment stations for work in beef cattle, swine, sheep and dairy cattle.
During the latter part of 1957 this administration allocated an additional $255,000 for construction of a Swine Strain Test-

ing Lab and a Beef Sire Testing Lab, at Tifton, and a Rural Arts Building at the Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College.
Livestock Disease Eradication
This administration has launched a determined and far reaching drive to eradicate Brucellosis (Bangs Disease) in Georgia cattle. The aim is to have Georgia certified by the U. S. Department of Agriculture as one of the few states in the nation to be free of this cattle disease.
The 1956 legislature provided for an annual appropriation of $300,000 to be used for the eradication of this disease. An additional $275,000 was made available for the 1957-58 fiscal year, and again for the 1958-59 fiscal year $575,000 was appropriated.
As of December 1, 1958, eighty-six of Georgia's 159 counties have been certified by Washington as modified-free of Brucellosis. All except a very few of the remaining counties are now under test for Brucellosis and should be certified within the near future.
The Department of Agriculture set aside $14,500 for the construction of a blood test laboratory at Tifton. This new station complements the Atlanta laboratories by serving part of South Georgia area testing cattle and swine for brucellosis.
Also during this administration a program to eradicate the costly screwworm has been launched in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Livestock Board. Thousands of sterile male screwworm flies have been released over the infested areas of South Georgia in the program to rid the state of the screwworm. An appropriation of $241,581 was made during the fiscal year 1958-59 for this program.

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Forestry

Georgia's 24 million acres of forest lands are not only her most valuable natural resource, but they furnish the raw materials for her number one industry. More than $750,000,000 a year income is derived from forest products, which furnish employment for some 200,000 Georgians in more than 3,000 wood-using industries. The state appropriation for the forestry program in 1958-59 is $2,250,000, compared to $1,791,000 in 1954-55.
With adequate physical facilities established in many fields, the Forestry Commission is stressing a training program to teach personnel to obtain better results from better equipment. Employees have been reduced from 814 to 801; fire towers have been reduced from 315 to 309 without loss of coverage.
Assuming an increasingly important position in Georgia forestry is the Georgia Forest Research Council, which directs state

support of forest research. A full-time director, who is responsible to a six-man board of directors, apportions a quartermillion dollar budget to research projects throughout the state. The biggest achievement to date is the construction of a Forest Fire Research Laboratory at the Georgia Forestry Center in Macon. Here, federal foresters will study the means of controlling large forest fires. A host of basic and applied research projects are receiving help from the Council. In Athens, with the cooperation of the University of Georgia, research is underway in tree genetics, forest physiology, forest soils, with an emphasis on the soils of forest nurseries, and wood technology. The council departed from its customary laboratory research to help finance a state-wide survey of wood residue, a waste material which may form the basis for the location of new industries within the state.

Labor

Present total employment in Georgia for industry and trade combined now consists of 960,000 wage earners. This is an increase of over 60,000 workers since January, 1955. The average weekly earnings of employees has increased from $51.61 to $61.85.
A total of 700,000 jobs paying $2.4 billion annually are insured by the Georgia Employment Security Law. This law provides for the payment of workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Funds for these payments are provided entirely by the employers.
The 1955 General Assembly extended this law to include companies with four or more employees, and increased the unemployment payments to a minimum of seven dollars and a maximum of thirty-five dollars. Previously, the law had provided for com-

panies with eight or more employees, with the unemployment payments ranging from five dollars to twenty-six dollars. The number of insured employees has increased from 579,846 in 1954 to 700,000 by June 1958.
Increased jobs for Georgians is indicated in the fact that the surplus in the Job Insurance Fund is $139,341,117 as of November 1, 1958, as compared with $134,165,223 at the end of 1954.
The Department of Labor prepares Labor Market Reports on. request from areas in Georgia that are interested in attracting industries.
Since the program began in 1952, a total of 270 Labor Market Reports have been prepared, covering almost every area in Georgia. Over half, or 163, of these have been prepared during this administration.

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Board of Corrections-Prison System

On January 1, 1955 there were 93 State operated prison units and County public works camps and in custody there were 7,686 inmates. As of June 30, 1958 there were 99 State operated prison units and County public works camps and in custody there were 9,393 inmates. These figures indicate an increase of 1,707 inmates and because of this alarming situation, immediate action had to be taken in order to have facilities for maintaining custody of this tremendous increase in the prison population.
Since June 30, 1955, eight (8) new prison units have been made available and each unit was constructed to house between 80 and 130 inmates. Chatham Prison Branch has been activated and houses 60 men. The cost of the units, including equipping of them averaged about $60,000 to $65,000 per unit. We are now in the process of constructing an additional unit in Lowndes County at Valdosta.

A new annex has been added to the Rock Quarry Prison Branch at Buford, Georgia, estimated by architects to cost $195,000.00, which amount was set aside for building and equipping the annex. The expected cost of the job will be approximately $160,000.00 to $165,000.00. This annex was built with prison labor.
In the 16 units operated by the State Board of Corrections, the inmate cost per day as of June 30, 1955 was in the amount of $1.15 and this figure has dropped to $1.09 as of June 30, 1958. The inmate count during the same period of time has increased in the amount of 877.
Due to inadequate housing facilities at the Georgia State Prison, Reidsville, Georgia $300,000.00 was allotted for the purpose of constructing 60 additional units for the housing of personnel. It is believed that the final construction cost of the units will not exceed $225,000.00, but they will be adequate for the purpose.

Ports

Port Development was greatly increased during this administration. In order to bring more of the vast commercial opportunities offered by water transportation into Georgia, the development of both coastal as well as inland water ports has been encouraged as much as possible during the past four years.
The State Port of Brunswick, inactive since the end of World War I, was granted an appropriation totaling $2,000,000 for construction of a 700 foot dock and related

facilities. The re-opening of this port resulted in an immediate gain of an $11,000,000 gypsum plant in Brunswick.
An inland water port at the Bainbridge State Dock on the Flint River was constructed at a total cost of $775,287.00 and that facility is now operating well beyond the cargo handling that was anticipated five years in advance.
An appropriation of $155,000 was granted to the Ports Authority for improvements at the Augusta State Dock, also.

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Veterans

In 1955 this Department had 213 employees. At the end of the fiscal year from June 30, 1957, this number had been reduced to 190, and as of this date we have 183 employees. We reduced our administrative cost of this year more than $17,000, and Georgia veterans and dependents received through the Veterans Administration the sum of $80,962,408.00.
This Department has been designated as the State Approval Agency for all training pursued under the G.I. and Korean Bills.

Georgia veterans who pursued Adult Academic and Farm Training Courses were paid more subsistence allowances through the Atlanta V.A. Regional Office than any other Regional Office of the Veterans Administration.
Those veterans who are not eligible for treatment in the V.A. hospitals are now housed in a Veterans' Home, and the State of Georgia is receiving approximately $10,000 each month to help defray the expenses incident to their hospitalization.

Historical Commission

This administration has completed a large program designed to restore historical sites and construct facilities for preserving priceless relics from the past.
The projects completed or under construction at the present time are: Reconstruction of the Chief Vann House, $30,000; construction of a museum at the Etowah Indian Mounds, $50,000; construction of a Colonial Museum at Old Midway Church, $50,000; reconstruction of Chero-

kee Capitol and construction of museum at New Echota, $82,000; construction of a Confederate Museum at Washington, $31,000; furnishing the Crawford W. Long Museum at Jefferson, $30,000, and restoring Eagle Tavern at Watkinsville, $19,000.
In addition to these accomplishments, the Historical Commission has erected over 1,700 roadside historical markers throughout the state. 1,200 of these markers have been erected since January, 1955.

CONCLUSION

The accomplishments cited in this report are merely highlights of what has been done in all phases of state government during this administration. Many other improvements could be mentioned such as the program to improve our State Parks, the allocation of $1,628,000 for improvements at Jekyll Island, greatly expanded services in such areas as Game and Fish Conservation. Other improvements are a matter of record and can be seen in departmental reports.
Another accomplishment of this administration is the $1,563,350 Capitol Improvement Program that is nearing completion. These funds were allocated for renovating the Legislative facilities and the capitol dome. In addition to this amount,

funds were appropriated to several departments for remodeling their individual offices. These improvements will greatly enhance the beauty of our State Capitol.
In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to extend my eternal gratitude to all the distinguished members of this Body for their splendid cooperation during these past four years that it has been my privilege to serve as Chief Executive of this great State.
The many accomplishments Georgia has made during this period of time have resuited from the solid cooperation of all Georgians working together as a team, For this united spirit of teamwork that I have found throughout the entire State, I shall be eternally grateful.

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