The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-10-17
THE WORST KNOCK
YET ON THE FAIR
LETTER TO BREEDERS GAZETTE
Criticism of Management, Location
and Everything and Every.
body Interested.

A correspondent of the Breeders
Gazette, writing up the state fair,
says:
The state fair of Washington, held
at North Yakima September 1922,
/ follows closely the state fair of Ore
gon; that is, it follows not only in
point of time, but in every other way.
Oregon, as state, is often referred
to as being little slow, but what
ever their faults the people have al
ways been active enough to build up
and maintain a splendid state fair.
Washington as state is newer and
more progressive. Its agricultural
interests are even more extensive and
its live stock is not behind its sister
state.
Notwithstanding these facts it's
state fair languishes and is a re-
proach to the name. Why? First,
because of politics. The state fair
commission is part of the political
machine. Place on the board is by
appointment. That means there is
always crowd that is in and a crowd
that is out-and knocking
Second, the location is bad. True,
II is near the middle of the state, but
in state like Washington that does
not mean much. Any fair to be a
financial success must be within
touch of the great centers of popula-
ton. and if adjacent 10 the popuous
agricultural districts so much the
better. 1t must also be accessible.
a -if,,o
requirements. Between it and the
hustling cities of Puget Sound looms
the great Cascade range. A single
railroad. which has all it can do to
move its freight traffic. forms the
connections There is no rail COM
munication north and south. We
natohee visitors, less than 100 miles
north. would have to travel 400 miles
70 reach the fair. Eastern Washing
Ton is where the farmers live, and
without rates and inducements to
travel so far from home they prefer
70 stay at home and go to Spokane
week later, when harvest is nearly
over
II he third place. the Yakima val
,ey. rich and beautiful as it is. is pro-
TlIc.al The area is limited, lands
-i-1-2-iced and the people thorough
T tIelei with but one idea-"Yak-
-a Ii would he useless for anv
1,S-ia county 70 hope 10 win the
---ze to- he bes- exhibit: that would
re reflection on Yakima.
Tl= patronage OF the fair is drawn
.-an those engaged in trucking
growing fruit or raising hay and
-7ps Il il but natural that the ex-
a-9iTs made most prominent would
A r, products Of this class and that
9-he7s would Be neglected.
The poultry show was magnificent
dairy products good fruit and vege-
tables unexcelled. bees and honey
IN. The great gathering of Indians
from the hop fields dressed in holt
dsy attire. which is always a fea-
rlre of this fair. was worth going 70
see. bur when these things are said
al. Is said that is worth saving. Not
thar ne stock was entirely wanting
There were a least half dozen
horses and colts in the ring: there
We're exactly three hogs and as many
goats The sheep show was better
ana enough Of the flocks making the
northwest circuit stopped off to make
cNedii able display So unwelcome
we're they made TO feel, however. that
II Is quite unlikely if a single ex-
Motor will repeat his visit next year.
" Aen remarks such as were made by
the president Of the fair commission
reach the ears Of visiting stockmen
70 the effect that the commission was
glad 10 save the thousand or more
dollars it would not have to paw out
a. premiums because of untitled
asses it can hardly be expected that
they will show future enthusiasm.
Much condemnation was heard of
certain rules governing the stock ex-
hibitions. No herd prizes are paid
unless there is competition. This is
/ where the lone exhibitor who had
/ nerve enough 10 shape up herd gets
i a hard jolt Then. too, there is
graduating scale for prize winners.
/ The first prize calf may hold his own
as yearling but must thereafter re-
tire from the arena and be satisfied
with honors won.
Speaking Of premiums offered.
mention should be made of the full
list offered for fat Jersey steers. To
the credit Of the stockmen it is pleas
an 10 note that no entries in these
i classes We're offered
ONE MILL on THE DOLLAR.