Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-09-09
Observation-Disclosures
%
s:,L00KER-0N In IOWA;


Thor, Sept. S.--Ai over the state
there is a general feeling of satisfaction
with the exhibits of the state fair, and
none the less concerning the financial
result. While the weather had much to
Go With the success moneywise, and
the evenings entertainment also helped
fill the Golfers, outsiders consider the
action of the business men of Des
Moines was the great factor. Having
the whole show day and night on the
fair grounds was made possible by the
action OF the mayor of Des Moines in
refusing TO license shows" for the city
itself. And incidentally it can be said
the merchants of Des Moines lost moth
ing by thus working for the interests of
the fair. People who want to buy goods
in Des Moines When they so to the fair
will find time and opportunity. again,
the people of Iowa feel that further i'm
provements on the grounds are proba-
bic. and it requires no prophet to fore
see and proclaim that at last the Iowa
ton and has a future before 1t equal to
any of the states of the west.
And in this connection 1T can be said
the county fairs of Iowa are being less
attended and have poorer exhibits ev-
cry year. Exceptions there are. For
instance Eldora always has good fair,
SO does Maicom. Why? Because in
few localities in the state are inter-
ested men. who take hold and make it
go. and also because exhibitors know
they will be paid their premiums
whether the county fair is financial
success or otherwise. Perhaps another
reason why certain county fairs are
successful is than the management rec
ogrizes the need of the amusement fea-
ture to draw the crowd. The day has
gone by for the pumpkin show. and "the
agricultural! horse trot" under present
ring and fake arrangements has attrac-
tions for only a few. Again. even dur
ing trotting and running races, the long
waits between the heats and the out
rageous scoring tactics of the drivers,
this generally countenanced by the
has done much to lessen
even the attendance during the after
Moons when the racing is going on. OF
course, right here is the place to say
that the gambling allowed, the skin
games and the wheel of fortune fea-
lures at some county fairs have also
had much to do with killing the county
fair. Unfortunately that's not SO. They
draw a crowd rather than lessen it.
There's a new crop of fools every year
who want this kind of amusement. Not
all young ones, either, and not always
new. The writer has in mind two or |
.hree staid business men who always
go to the county fair and '.buck the
wheel of fortune" on the grounds If the
is allowed. if not in some
:ent outside. They even indulge in the
whip racket, altho not one of them owns
horse. Probably take the whips home
% suggest parental discipline If one of
heir boys dares to gamble at the coun-
y fair.
All this easily leads up to the street I
air, and right here 1t can he plainly
asserted the merchants of Iowa towns
lave had surfeit of street fairs. AS
originally intended for an actual street
air, where for few days the mer-
.hants could occupy the streets, dis
,lay and sell goods, as we'll as pay the
of the amusement features.
his kind of street fair would have be-
ONE a regular fall feature in Iowa. But
When few men took hold of the street
air as personal money-making fea-
ure then merchants began to see it was
lot paying them. Eagle Grove had a
cry successful street fair few weeks
go, but the merchants of Eagle Grove
ell the Looker-On they would prefer
o let some other town have the benefit
f it next year. The idea IS. the money