The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-30
Financial Report on Fair VIII
Soon be Made
MERCHANTS WERE PLEASED
General Manager J. A. MacKnIght
Submits a Report and Makes Re-
marks Concerning Fair Next
Year-suesests Pool Selling.

Owing to the delay OF the RAILROADS. III
making their reports on the state fair
coupons sold by them the official state
ment of the fairs finances has not yet
been made. President Krebs has this
matter in charge and will make de-
tailed report as soon as he has all of the
necessary data in hand
1t is said the merchants of the city are
well pleased with an increased business
brought about by the 10000 visitors who
came to see the fair, and that they have
declared themselves as willing to put
their names down for liberal subscriptions
to the fair in 1903 It is understood the
board of directors will take action in
this matter as soon as the full financial
statement is made by the president.
A report concerning the fair has been
made by General Manager ]. A. Mac
Knight and handed to the secretary, Mr..
]. w. O'Neill, and 1t will be submitted to
the directors at their next meeting.
Organized In Ninety Days.
In the report the general manager
states that the fair was organized in
ninety days, and he adds. II think you
will admit that 1t was clean, orderly
and interesting fair"
He says that the attendance was not
as large as had been expected, but that
full information on that point would be
furnished by the president.
Mr. MacKnight, in his report says fur
Their that the attractions furnished at the
fair were the best and most up-to-date
to be found In the country, and that they
possessed the several advantages of being
distinctly novel and unhackneyed, and
calculated to please all tastes. without
giving offense to anyone.
He then goes on to name the attrac-
lions, giving in detail the advantages OF
each. He suggests that the diving horse
be secured for the next fair.
''All of these features he says, were
high classed and necessarily expensive.
In point of expense they were really more
than the public could expect and more
than an ordinary state fair gotten up in
a hurry and under many adverse condi-
lions, could ordinarily provide"
In regard to exhibits he says that in
year of drouth and shortage Of crops 1t
would be practically impossible to sur
pass the agricultural and horticultural
displays at the fair He states that the
association is under heavy obligations to
Governor Jelks and Mr.. Poole, the COM
missioner of agriculture, for the exhibits.
Mr. MacKnight says the management
has learned several things of value from
the last state fair that some mistakes
were made which may be avoided In the
future, and some expenses incurred which
may be cut out or minimized.
To have really cerditable and success
MacKnight thinks to begin the work at
once, and have the premium list ready
for delivery early in January.
Pool Selling.
"In my opinion" he says. 'if $4,000 is
to be devoted to the giving of a fair this
amount should be divided about as fol-
lows: Advertising $780, premiums. $4,000;
racing, $4,000; music, $500; free shows,
$500; running expenses, $1,000. The entry
fees for the races might amount to $1,000
which could be used for repairs and i'm
provements. leaving the gross expendi-
lures the same. If the law can be chang
ed to allow pool selling during the fair.
as 1 believe 1t can, the receipts can be
relied on to be from $4,000 to $4,000 in
1903, and by having plenty Of side shows
and good racing the expenses need not
exceed $4,000. Without pool selling the
receipts should reach from $4,000 to $780,
900 in 1903. In case pool selling at the fair
could be arranged, women and minors
should be excluded, and the racing priv
ilege should be handled by respectable
people in order that no offense may be
given as in the past"
In conclusion Manager MacKnight
wishes the association success and pros
perity, and thanks one and all for their
uniform courtesy from the time In which
he heeama interested In the rnoyemenf