Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-12-28
Half Million at Countv Fairs.


Half Million at County Fairs.
Secretary j. c. Simpson of the state
department of agriculture. who was
reelected at the recent meeting, dis.
discussed the subject of county and
district fairs in his annual report He
said.
1.-THE county and district fair asso-
Citations throughout the state were
generally more successful than for
number Of seasons past Greater
interest was taken in the exhibits and
q ADger attendance was reported
While the exact data was not received
rs to The attendance, the financial re-
ports would indicate that it was over
one-haH million.
"Eighty-four fairs reported and re-
ceived the state aid. One more So
cfety reported, but owing to some dis
crepancy in the papers the state au-
ditor has not yet paid the state tdd
The financial report of one other 80.
ofsty had to be sent back for correct
Ing and has not yet been returned
30 that only eighty-three reports are
shown on the financial statement to
date.
"The total receipts from all sources
amount to $316,565-an increase Of
about 100000 over the receipts Of the
eighty societies reporting in 1905. The
average receipts were about $500.
A total Of S16,393 was received from
the state. or an average of $197.50 for
each fair. The total value Of the fair
grounds and improvements is shown
10 be $4S9,702, or an average of 49,
$50 for the eighty-three societies. The
etghty-thrse county and district fairs
paid out in premiums $5s,397, or an
average Of 800 each; this shows only
a smaA increase over 1905. The
largest amount paid out in premiums
by any one society was S1,181.50; the
smallest being 1921. Zen Of the fairs
reporting report receipts Of $4,000 or
over; ffty-five societies report an in
debtedness of $99,707, or an average
Of $1,S17. Sixty-thres societies re-
port money on hand to the amount
Of $18,017, or an average Of 32S6.
There appears to be greater interest
manifested in the county and dis
triot fairs of the state, and we predict
that with ordinary circumstances the
fairs will be even more successful In
the next few years"
Hunters License Seems Assured.
1t seems now almost certain that
Iowa will have a law providing for
hunters license which will relieve the
state of all expense in connection with
the enforcement of the state fish and
game laws Geo. A. Lincoln, state
game warden, recommended such
law in his report recently made to the
governor, and now local sportmen
have received circulars sent out by
Mr.. Lincoln in which he gives the
reasons for the desire of this proposed
law. Mr.. Lincoln calls attention to
the fact that nearly all the other states
In this part of the country have a
law for hunters license, and Iowa
Is very backward.
Mr.. Lincoln summarizes the benefits
Of the law as follows; every resident
of the state must get a license before
going hunting, price $100; records
are to be kept of all such license
holders; fees for such licenses to
make fund for paying expenses of
state fish and game commission and
enforcement of law; since 1902 twelve
states have adopted this system; it
will make the hunter and not the
state pay for the expense of protecting
game; it causes all persons interested
In game to assist in enforcement of
the law; 1t would protect the farmer
from trespassers; deputy game war
dens can be paid salary out Of the
fund instead Of the unsatisfactory fee
system; 1t will protect song and other
birds.
A similar bill was before each of
the last two general assemblies but
was not passed because members
were not familiar with the same.
The Governor in Washington.
Governor Cummins has Just return.
ed from trip to Washington, where
he was entertained by members of the
Iowa congressional delegation. He
called upon the president and discuss
ed the matter of car shortage. While
In Washington the governor said he
had decided upon the features of his
message to the legislature.
1T Will be az comprehensive in it's
treatment Of state subjects" he said.
as the message of President Roose-
welt was in connection with national
policies. I shall urge the passage of
q primary law, declaration in favor
OF which was included in our plat.
form during the last campaign. 1
shall ask for a law fixing passenger
railroad fares at 2 cents a mile, and
then also for some investigation with
regard to freight rates on certain
commodities, such as coal, hogs and
cattle.
THE national railroad rate law, of
course, has accomplished nothing in
our state, not because it is incapable
of doing so, but because it does not
touch our situation. The principle of
railroad rate regulation we are in.
terested in, so far AK interstate traf. |
nc is concerned, is the comparative
rate, and the railroads were success.
full in preventing a law stipulatine
that the commission should fix a rela. |
tive rate. A power OF this kind must
be conferred upon the commission
and there should be no let up IN the
agitation until 1t Is granted"
State College Urges Needs.
The state agricultural college has
He'd its annual report with the Cover.
nor. Without fixing the amounts
of money 1t desired the legislature Ia
appropriate, 1t is urged on the atten.
ton OF the assembly that the institu.
t1on needs additional shoDs for tbs