The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-30
LIVE STOCK PREMIUMS.
T. I'll. Foster Replies to Complaint Of
E. Sturdy, swine Breeder.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
The published interview of Mr.. z.
Sturdy a prominent swine breeder of
Bradford, Kansas, affords an opportun-
ity to correct through the press, a prev
alent error among stockmen, that fair
managers discriminate in favor of race
morse owners as against other stock
men. This comes from the fact that
the aggregate of the purses offered at
the race track are usually double and
more the amount of the prizes offered
for live stock. Those who have served
on managing committees of fairs, or as
secretary, know that the stockmen get
from the fair about eight times as
much as the race horse men, wnen the
amount each class contributes is de-
Quoted from the premiums received.
I can not better illustrate what I
mean than to take the speed program
each, four stake races of $500 each and
programme calls for a total of S. 200.
This comprises two stake races of 81, 900
each, for stake races of $500 each and
eleven purse races of $500 each, and
the Kansas Derby of $780, Now it viii
be impossible for the management to
start more than six of the eleven ad-
vertised purses, if the stake races are
all pulled off. All horsenen know, if
If they contend in these events,
they must make their entries and pay
in advance 5 per cent of the purse in
cash. Few stockmen, like Mr.. Sturdy,
consider this feature at all. All con-
servative secretaries and committees
will refuse to start purses and stakes
unless there are at least twelve to en-
ter. The conditions of the races pro-
vide that per cent shall be deducted
from each winner, the number being
four in eacn harness race. This makes
the race cost just 20 per cent of the
amount offered as the twelve to enter
paying 5 per cent each pay sixty per
cent, and the twenty per cent deducted
from the winner make up the other
,4,,T,4
rule that stake races have more than
twenty entries, thus making a profit
to the association. Now take this pro-
gram above referred to and how much
does it cost the association? The four
stakes and the Derby pay for them
selves in entries. The six purse races
are for $500 each or $1,000. Twenty per
cent of this is $3.50, the total net cost
of prizes in the speed ring. Now this
illustrates a fact that Mr.. Sturdy can
verify by consulting the books of most
every. association. How much does this
association pay to the other stockmen,
to which class Mr.. Sturdy belongs? If
he viii consult our premium list last
year he will discover that $4,000, or
nearly that, was offered and paid in
prizes for other live stock than race
horses. The persons competing paid
no entrance fee. 1t was net cost to-
the association amounting to the face
value of the premium.
I know that the chance of winning
IluCn III prizes Oh the part VI tie gen
eral stock raiser are not as alluring as
he would like to have them, as every
fair management would like to see go
that way. The general benefits to be
derived by the public encouraging our
stock breeders can not be over estl-
mated but how to place more emphasis
upon this feature of a fair program Is
a problem that has caused many a
board much anxiety and many large
deficits As much as it may be depre-
Gated the speed ring attracts four-ffths
of the crowd through the gate, and the
amusement there costs the management
but a trife Mr. Sturdy viii have to
hunt another cause for his troubles 1t
is the one that worries each fair man
agement Most Of our agricultural
states solve it by IA state appropriation.
to support a state fair. The Topeka
state fair management viii promise Mr..
Sturdy and everybody else that if they
will take care of the premiums for 9TH
er live stock, the speed ring will take
care of itself without state aid.
FRANK H. FOSTER.