Transportation.-- There are Z430 miles of steam and about 150 miles of electric roads in the State. From LewisIon, boats run on the Snake and Clearwater rivers, carry ing freight from the inland through the Columbia River to the Pacific. Stages ply daily to nearly all parts of the State not ac cessible by railroads. On 1 Jan. 1917, Idaho had spent a total of $856,979 in general State funds on highways and bridges. The programs for expenditures for State highways alone bonded debt amounted to $2,227,750 and a sink ing fund of $400,000. The assessed value of real and personal property for 1917 amounted to $444,857,675.
Idaho system differs from during the years 1917 and 1918 amounted to $2,345,000. State highways connect all principal parts of Snake River Valley in the south and the chief centres of population and industry of the north. A north and south highway is now to connect the northern and SOU parts of the State which have hitherto been separated by great mountain chains and river valleys almost impassable.
Banking and On 20 Nov. 1917 there were 137 State banks with total deposits of $44,663,884. The reserve of all State banks reporting for call on that date shows an average of 30 per cent. Individual deposits held sub ect to check in these banks was $30,728,763.97 Individual saving deposits was $2,965,802.95, averaging about $7 per capita.
For the two years ending 30 Sept. 1916 the receipts and disbursements were as fol lows : Cash in hand, 1 Oct. 1914 $1.246,356 Receipts, 1914-16 6,119,406 Total $7,445,762 Disbursements 1914-16 6,260.832 Balance in treasury, 30 Sept. 1916 $1,184,930 The revenues are derived from general tax levies, receipts from the department of the secretary of state, interests on funds and re ceipts from other departments. Disbursements are, of course, made to defray the expenses of State government and to maintain the various State institutions. On 30 Sept. 1916 the State all others in its complete unity of the school affairs of the State, from the primary grades to the university, which are under the super vision of one single State Board of Education. This board consists of five members appointed by the governor, and one ex-offioio member, the State superintendent of public instruction. Three members act as a governing board for the six State educational institutions, including the university, the two State normal schools, the Idaho Technical Institute, the Industrial Train ing School and the State School for the Deaf and Blind. This same board exercises general
supervision over the public elementary and high schools. The State Board of Education has the duty of assisting the legislature in every possible way in framing and enacting the educa tional laws, and it is the duty of the board, prior to each meeting of the State legislature, and in ample time for due consideration by said legislature, to prepare a financial budget setting forth the financial needs of all State educational institutions under its supervision and control.
Idaho spends annually on her public schools approximately $4,500,000. It has 147 public high schools and 11 private academies, 1,594 public school buildings and 3,636 teachers. There are two State normal schools — one lo cated at Albion and one at Lewiston. An excel lent State university is located at Moscow, embracing the following colleges: letters and science, agriculture, engineering, law, school of forestry, school of mines, extension division and experiment station. The Technical Insti tute is located at Pocatello and an industrial training school at Saint Anthony. The School for the Deaf and Blind is located at Gooding.
Charities and Corrections.— The State Penitentiary located at Boise, the State Insane Asylums located at Blackfoot and Orofino, an Institute for the Feeble-Minded at Nampa and the State Industrial School at Saint Anthony all own agricultural lands and cattle in connec tion, cultivated and cared for chiefly by the inmates of these institutions, making them almost, if not quite, self-supporting. The Orphans' Home at Boise and the School for the Deaf and Blind at Gooding is supported by State appropriations.
Militia.— The State of Idaho has no armories. The strength of the National Guard of Idaho in the Federal service, 1 Jan. 1917, was o6 officers and 1,073 men. This has been increased since the declaration of war with Germany.
Religion.— In religion Idaho is predomi rtantly 'Latter-Day Saint, or Mormon, with Catholics, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, etc., following in the order named.