The Civic Digest Set of Five Editions, by Dwyer, Wm. J., chairman, Civic Digest Committee - 1940s: A Cyclopedia of Government: Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, and Federal Governments, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1949

152 to 174 p. each. These digests are a treasure trove of information about the government in Minnesota during the 1940s. The edition of 1949 is of particular interest as it is the record of the tricentennial of the establishment of Minnesota Territory. The books contain brief histories, lists of such things as the governors of the territory and state, information on the judicial and legislative districts and the villages and townships in the county, and much more. The duties and missions of the various governmental units and agencies are described; the entries list personnel, salaries of major officers, etc. Among the wide array of agencies, commissions, public facilities, are the State Geographic Board, the Gillette State Hospital for Crippled Children, count morgue, the City Workhouse (employing prisoners), Land Exchange Commission, State Compensation Insurance Board. The books contain many black-and-white photographs and many advertisement. All are in fine condition (two of the books have the name of a former owner on the front pasted-down endpaper) and are printed on fine glossy paper. The 1945 issue contains a letter from Dwyer to Oscar Lund, Minneapolis 10th District Alderman, presenting a complimentary copy. The photograph attached to this entry is of one of the books; the others look similar. Inquire about purchasing a selected issue or issues.