Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1905-07-28
SOME PLAIN TRUTHS

SOME PLAIN TRUTHS
When Polk County decided to make
adisplay Of her products and resources
at the Lewis and Clark Fair, it be-
came necessary to select some suitable
person to collect this exhibit, install il
in the allotted space in the HortI-
cultural Building, and take charge
OF it after it was installed. In looking
over the county for some person
possessing the necessary qualifica-
tiOns to fill this position successfully.
the choice OF large number Of people
rested upon Mrs. F. A. Wolfe, Of Falls
City. Mrs. Wolfe had prepared three
prize winning exhibits for Polk
county at the Oregon State Fair, and
it was generally believed that she
would be very competent person to
take charge Of the exhibit at the big
Exposition. The OBSERVER was among
the number advocating the selection
Of Mrs. Wolfe, and used every honor
able means to induce the County
Court to employ her to perform this
important work. We believed that
she was entitled to the place and that
she would perform her duties salts
factorily and in manner highly
creditable to Polk county This belief
was shared by many people, and
strong pressure was brought to bear
upon the County Court to employ her
to take charge Of the exhibit.
The members of the Court, while
appreciatlng Mrs. Wolfe's valuable
work in behalf of Polk county at the
State Fair, doubted the wisdom of
employing her to take charge of the
exhibit at Portland. They admitted
that she was competent to prepare a
creditable exhibit, but argued that
she would not be a suitable person to
place in charge Of it after the Fair
was opened. They urged that some
one should be chosen who would be
able to reach the homeseeKers from
with the opportunities and advantages
offered by Polk county in order to
direct their attention this way and
induce them to come here and settle.
Believing that this work could be
done better by man than by any
woman they might select, the Judge
and Commissioner we're not overly
enthusiastic in Mrs. Wolfe's behalf.
Mrs. Wolfe's friends, however, while
admitting the force Of this argument,
we're firmly of the belief that an in
justice would be done il her claims to
the appointment we're not recognized, |
and the Court finally yielded to the
popular pressure and employed her to
take charge of the exhibit. A liberal
salary Of $l75 a month was allowed |
her, and she was given free rein in
collecting and installing credtable
county display.
Two months Of the Fair have passed,
and Mrs. Wolfe has not fulfilled the
expectations of her friends; in fact, it
must be confessed that her work in
connection with the exhibit has left
much to be desired. No particular
fault can be found with the exhibit
itself, as it is fairly creditabe show
ing for the county and ranks we'll
among the displays of other leading
nnnnfinu Of tbn fufn =,
better now than it was at the opening
Of the Fair. and it is being steadily
improved. Fruits and vegetables
have been shown in their season. and
the Court is constantly forwarding
fresh specimens of the best farm
products and striving to arouse the
interest and cooperation of the people
in the work of strengthening the
exhibit.
II this material were properly taken
care OF after its arrival at the Fair,
Polk county would have one Of the
most attractive exhibits In the build
ing, But il is not. Mrs. Wolfe seems
w euhN ~ lutCit5b NudJtNtI III Jle ,
appearance of the exhibit, and the
result Of this indifference is every
where apparent. Tables covered with
wited vegetables fIuit and berries
placed on dirty plates and left there to ,
rot aud mold; fruit jars so thickly
covered with dust that one can write
ones name on them-these are a few !
features that cause Polk county visi-
tors to the Fair TO blush with shame
and Eastern people to turn away in :
disgust II any reader thinks this
picture is overdrawn, let him visit the
Fair and see for himself. ,
A few weeks ago the writer visited .
The Fair, and, having a curiosity to
ascertain whether the reports Of re- !,
.urning Polk county visitors concern =
ng the exhibit were really justified by \
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