The age-herald., 1900-11-06

trap and the other thoroughDredS In ther
 stalls realize that the show Is on. But a
 fair before the races begin, when the
 grand stand has not a vestige of color,
 when neither the horses nor the jockeys
 have their blood up, when the Midway has
 not had its breakfast-to see this side is
 like going behind the scenes in a theatre
 before the play. and looking out upon the
 empty chairs, the balconies, the boxes
 that are to be later on scene of beauty
 and brilliancy. It is sometimes necessary
 to see both phases to be able to appreciate
 the contrasts between the two. But those
 who make the contrast never see the oth- CT phase.
 The fair, apparently shorn of everything save a few jockeys who are taking their horses around the track for a mornings exercise, with the absence of the brilliant color that makes it attractive later in the day, is, however, a busy time for the 'of- flee people," and to pass through the gates at this hour Is to see a side of the fair that is fascinating, and reminds one of an early market scene when the stalls are be- ing put in readiness for the day. But when one would suppose the gate keepers would welcome any arrival at this quiet hour, and that there would be an absence of red tape in entering the grounds, this is just the time when the gate keepers are on the alert and that the spielers eye one with suspicion.
 You must pay for your trap and coach- man." said a man in authority to little party of women who had presented "passes' at the gate. But" said one of the women, q was told that there would be no trouble about my trap, and if there was, to drive in regardless of what any one might say.''
 T am sorry" repeated the man, but l have no authority to pass traps"
 "I was also told,' said the young wo- man, that if I was then not permitted to drive in, to 'cuss out everybody"
 The gate keeper waved her in at this and declared that he preferred to take the money out of his own pocket than to re- ceive a "cussin'."
 And even then there followed long dis cussion at the office, but the affair was set tied to the satisfaction of all concerned, and neither party was out one cent. This incident goes to show that from the mo- ment the gates are thrown open until they are closed the strictest rules are enforced, and that the demands and requests made are enough to drive the officials crazy
 The throngs that pass through the gates of fair are ignorant of it's appearance before it has had it's bath and its break fast as they are of the amount of work re- ouired to make the success that the world demands, for in the management of fair, however large or small, success has been preceded by weeks and months Of work. But this, too, is like the rehearsals or
 ..l. lafa Tri VI in her box, and Is not to be considered af- ter the overture begins.
 Sauntering over the grounds gazing up-
 on this and the other exhibit, and later croWding the grand stand and listening to
 the regimental band, and selecting a fa-
 vorite horse or two for the races, takes all of ones time and crowds out any
 thoughts of the work of the men who nave
 backed the enterprise with their money
 and who have given time and thought to
 the best methods of conducting a great
 state fair.
 And while a great deal has been written
 of the public spirit that characterized the
 management of the fair too much cannot
 be said in praise of these progressive and
 public-spirited citizens and of the Alabama women who have worked win resolute pur- pose to cooperate with this progressive movement.
 The papers have already given a great deal Of attention 10 the WOfh Ol tHe WOiil- ans department, and it would seem that nothing more could be said unless one looked far ahead and recognized that the present fair would be an incentive to even greater things next year. The purpose or the woman'S department would seem to have already been accomplished when it's success is commented upon so generally and when Alabama women are already discussing plans for their department next year, realizing that the fair has proven an incentive to hundreds of women through out the state.
 This universal interest on the part of Alabama women is shown by the number of exhibits for which adequate space could not be provided, and while the directors of l the department have arranged their var | ious exhibits to the best advantage possi- | ble, the space is too limited. This is par | ticuarly noticeable in the textile depart ment where quantities of beautiful em- | broideries, beautiful laces and drawn work l have been admired by the throngs of wom- l en who were unable to really appreciate l how complete is the exhibit by reason that
 the space did not admit of displaying 1t as ella bora tely as. it deserved The eXhib- its continued to arrive up to the very last minute and the Birmingham women who were arranging them were gratihed be- yond expression at this evidence of indi- vidual interest of the women in various sections of the state
 And while this interest and cooperation | is to be expected from every woman in l Alabama, who feels an interest in its pro | gress, and who desires to do her part in l its onward march, the responsibility of the 1 work rests entirely upon the women of | the city in which the state fair is held. It 1 is the women of Birmingham who then ] take the initiative towards forming plans l to bring forward the work of women and l to show that in Alabamas advancement i her women are contributing materially to l its progress.
 In the fair now in progress no one will i deny that Birmingham women have not 1 in every way cO-operated with the mem ] bers of the Fair Association and have ] pended their energies to make the woman's s 1 department credit to Alabama woman hood. In speaking, too, of the public spirit l and energy that has characterized the work of the Womans Board, mention l should be made of the harmonious rela-
 tions that exist between the board and the 1 State Fair Association. The two have