The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1895-05-02
THE COMMISSIONERS DECISION.

Aue hCtiOn Vi tiie Ctate Fdlf COuimis-
sion this week, as reported in another
column OF THE HERALD, comes in the
nature OF a surprise to many citizens and
as an expected pronunciamento to an
equal number OF others. While it is i'm
possible that such a step could be taken
without meeting opposition, that opposi-
ton has been of most mild order from
all classes who might have thought the
commission in error-chief among whom
Is the small army of prospective workmen
who expected individually to profit by
the holding of the second annual exhibit
ton. Even these are most deferential in
their opinions as to the wise or unwise
policy adopted by the governors APP
pointee's on the commission. On the
other hand, the local members OF the
board have been the recipients of hearty
congratulation from the leading business
men of this city, who recognize how def
ficult it would have been to successfully
conduct a fair this fall under existing adj
verse conditions and circumstances. There
are mulitudinous causes for the result
which has obtained; and these, taken
collectively, left no other course save
postponement, in the opinion of the en-
tire commission.
The state fair last year failed to effect
balance in the receipts and expenditures
by many thousands OF dollars, as
the $1,000 recently distributed in this
city evidences. The gats receipts fell
$500 short of paying the obligations in
cured in the exhibition held. These are
well known facts. 1t Is also matter Of
knowledge that the last legislature allow
ed US an ample deficiency fund, which
placed the institution once more upon
sound basis. The same legislature pass
ed bill which effectually prevents any
further deficiencies in any state institu-
ton; and such deficit, il one followed
the exhibition in the fall, would have to
be borne by the commission. This would
be unjust in the extreme; yet it is the
only way any claims could be collected.
1t is easy to see that the $500 yearly APP
preparation viii not be adequate for the
demand upon it, If the estimate be based
upon last years experience. 1t will cost
almost $1,000 to maintain the grounds
whether or no a fair be held, and with
only $500 as a cash fund to carry on the
work, the commission could not fail to
see deficiency" staring them in the face.
Spokane with her fruit fair and Ore
gon with her annual exhibition, have
chosen dates from which they will not re-
cede, and which conflict with the Yak
ina dates-detined and fixed by law.
Competition thus adds another ruinous
factor to the difficulties in the way OF
successful exhibition. The general bus
mess depression throughout the state,
the low prices for crops-from which the
farming classes last year suffered and
the consequent inability of the general
public to visit this city in the fall,
strengthened the commission in its deter
mination not to put in jeopardy the APP
preparation made by the legislature. The
decision of the board was unanimous
and the gentlemen composing it are GER
tainly well qualified to Judge of the adj
visibility OF foregoing an exhibition this
year. The HERALD believes they acted
only after mature consideration, being
thoroughly conversant with all the facts
in the premises; and this paper feels
that the entire commission deserves the
thanks OF the people of the state for the
care they are exercising in the expendi-
ture oil the peoples money. If all public
enterprises were conducted in the same
way the over burdened taxpayer would
feel his load Iightened instead OF doubled
as the years go by.