PREFACE

The compilation of a Nebraska Blue book as a publication of the state was first authorized by the legislature of 1913. Several earlier publications of an unofficial character had been issued. In 1893 and 1897 Eric Johnson, former chief clerk of the Nebraska House of Representatives published a legislative manual and handbook, and in 1899 and 1901 blue books were issued by the State Journal Company.

The Legislature selected the Legislative Reference Bureau as the agency for editing and publishing the official statistical and descriptive state book known as the Blue book. The first edition was in print early in 1915, and subsequent revised editions were issued in 1918 and 1920, making this revision of 1922 the fourth edition.

The Nebraska Blue book differs somewhat from many similar publications of other states and countries, in that it confines its scope absolutely to Nebraska matters. Its aim is to furnish in concise form a wide range of facts about Nebraska. Much of the information it contains is the result of original research on the part of members of the Legislative Reference Bureau staff, or has been prepared by persons especially qualified to cover given fields of knowledge.

This edition of 1922 contains a few topics that were not included in its predecessors. Among these are congressional, judicial, senatorial and representative apportionment maps, a list of unincorporated places, a list of local business and welfare organizations, and a list of state-wide organizations. A comprehensive series of chapters on the natural resources of the state and their development has been added. Some topics that appeared in earlier Blue books have been dropped.

The new form of making appropriations imposed by the budget law has made it necessary to abandon many statistical tables showing the details of legislative appropriation since the beginning of government in the state. This edition contains only grand totals of appropriations for the several legislative sessions, as distributed to the various expending agencies.

Future editions should still further adjust the subject matter to the changing times. The Blue book is used as a reference book on Nebraska in all the schools and libraries of the state. Constant effort to include such information as will make it most useful is part of the Reference Bureau's work for more enlightened civic life in our state.

EDNA D. BULLOCK.

University of Nebraska.

November, 1922.