Government. Dallas enjoys the commis sion form of government, having been one of the first cities to adopt this plan. The property in the city is assessed for taxation at $136,971,975, the city tax rate being $1.95, and the State and county tax rate being $1.10.
Schools, Churches.An important, educa tional centre, the principal educational institu tions are the Southern Methodist University, with cash assets of $3,000,000 and 660 acres of ground, which opened in 1915 with 800 stu dents; Dallas University (Catholic institution for boys), an investment in building and grounds amounting to $500,000; the Baylor Medical College and 53 private schools. There are 3 high schools and 29 ward schools in Dal las, the city having an investment in buildings, grounds and equipment of $2,000,000. The scholastic population of Dallas is 27,229. Dal las has 154 places of worship, of all denomi nations.
Climate.The following are the average or normal temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit at Dallas as shown in the Special Bulletin No. 5, United States Department of Agriculture Weather Bureau: January, 46.3; February, 50.9; March, 57.3; April, 67.7; May, 73.4; June, 81.4; July, 84.4 August, 82.5; September, 76.8; October, 66.4 November, 55.5; December, 53.9,
and annual, 66.4. The relative humidity, as it affects evaporation, is a potent factor in keep ing the human organism cool. At Dallas the average humidity for the year at 7 A.m., 90th meridian time, is 80 per cent, and the average at 2 P.M. is about 43 per cent for July, 53 per cent for August and 54 per cent for September. Maximum or highest temperature recorded at the local office of the United States Weather Bureau since it was established in Dallas Octo ber 1913 was 102° on 30 July 1914. The tem perature for the year of 1915 did not go as high as 100°. There is generally a cool, fresh and southerly breeze from off the Gulf of Mexico throughout the summer months that adds much to the comfort of the inhabitants of Dallas, and when this is taken into consideration with the records of the tem perature and humidity it can readily be seen why sun-strokes are almost unknown in this section of the country.
Population. In 1885 the population of Dallas was 10000; (1900) 42,438; (1910) 92,104; July 1917 the government estimate was 129,632 and the Chamber of Commerce. and Manufacturers' Association estimate 1 Jan. 1918 (which includes suburbs not included in government estimate), 147,000.