Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-07
FOR GREATER FAIR
Plans on Foot to Make State
Fair Bigger and Better In
the Future
MAY BE HELD FOR TWO WEEKS
Des Moines Business Men Agree to
Cooperate With the Department
With a View to Making it the Most
Successful State Fair in United
States.


Des Moines, April IA greater
state fair for Iowa-that was the key
note of cordial and enthusiastic
meeting Wednesday between members
of the state department of agriculture
and representative business men of
Des Moines. Not that the fair as now
conducted is not a success, but that IT
NAV be made even more successful
nv an extension of time, the enlarge
ment of old features and the addltlon
of new, and the more complete coop
GRAFTON of Des Moines business men,
both thru their good will and their
money. The business men OF Des
Moines gave assurance last night that
both their good will and their money
would be contributed freely, and from
members of the department as indl-
yiduals came expressions indorsing the
project.
Three important steps in making a
greater state fair were proposed In
in last nights informal discussions:
First--A change in date from the
last week in August to the latter part
of September, and two weeks fair
instead of eight days, as at present.
Second-An increase in the amount
of premiums offered for live stock ex-
hibits with view to making the ar
nual live stock show the largest and
best in America and the world, with
great dispersion sales as feature;
also increased premiums and exhibits
in the other departments.
Third-The extension Of the amuse-
ment features of the fair with view
to increasing the attendance both from
Des Moines and from all other Cities
and towns in Iowa.
| Owing to the arrangements having
| practically been made for the 1906 fair
no attempt will be made to introduce
| the new plan until the fair of 1906.
Cameron Favors Longer Fair.
| Vice President c. E. Cameron of the
| state department of agriculture ex-
pressed the sentiment Of the meeting
when he declared that the agricultural
resources OF the state of Iowa were
too extensive to be exhibited in a
weeks show. "a longer time for the
fair is all important" he said. iowa
is the greatest of all agricultural states
and one week is too short time to
| show what Iowa can produce. AS 1t
now is, the fair management has to
make it's exhibit sort of three-ring
circus, and none Of the tens of thou
sands of people who visit it get
chance to see what they ought to see.
| The fair should be made a two weeks
school of instruction in the resources
and products of the state. 1t is a pity
that so fine plant should be built
up on the fair grounds and used so
short a time each year, and this is
one of the objections we meet every
| time we go to the legislature for APP
propria tons for permanent buildings.
| We have the goods in Iowa for a mag
| nificent exhibition, and we ought to
make the most OF our opportunity to
display them and advertise the state
and It's resources"
Des Moines Will Aid.
| It was urged by Secretary John c..
| Simpson of the state department of
agriculture that to conduct the fair
for two weeks instead of week would
greatly increase the expense anc' that
the department would not fee like
bearing this alone. There carne in
response the immediate and unanimous
assurance of the business men of Des
Moines that they would give literally
| to the support of q greater fair and
cooperate in advertising it, in con-
| tributing to an increased attendance
by closing their doors on. two days in
stead of one, as last year, and In every
other way. The business men declared
that Des Moines recognized the, value
and Importance of the fair to the state
and to the city, and that they were
willing to make its success larger.
Good Feeling Manifest.
Last nights discussion of state fair
matters was held at an informal $3.50
o'clock dinner rendered to the mem
bers of the state department Of agri-
culture in the Dutch room Of the
Chamberlain. 1t was attended by
| thirty or more business men from east
ard west Des Moines. and by those
members of the department who were
in the city for the spring session of
that body. 1t was marked by unusual
| good feeling and gave evidence that
the old time friction between the fair
management and the business men OF
the city had come to an end and there
was repeated expression of desire on
the part of both to cooperate for the
upbuilding of a greater fairn
Rode "Goat"; Wants Damages.
| Bloomington, Ill, April Claiming
permanent injury thru fall caused