The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-26


found out of the difficulty
Sterne IS Questioner.
Who drew this enabling act?''
asked Com missioner Sterne.
Mr.. Smith replied that Senator
Fred Dumont Smith, the Shawnee
county representative in the legis-
lature, Major Anderson and several
others had a hand in it,
Have we any power under that
statute 10 make this levy and use the
money on the present fair grounds ?"
asked Commissioner Sterne.
we must go ahead in some way"
answered Mr.. Heath, and provide
for fair"
We are up against the proposition n
that it viii be unlawful for US 10 make
this levy" replied Mr.. Sterne.
From TIE best informa ton" an
swered Str Heath, I'VE feel that the
commissioners can help US out of this
emergency which ccnfronts US. We
must nave fair here even if it never
becomes state fair
There is only one way to get the
money for it and that is through a
special levy" said Mr.. Sterne. 1.-The
general fund at the hands of the
county commissioners is Just about
enough to meet expenses
The sentiment of the people, said
MIR Heath. lis all for this movement
ana oelleve that the county commits
sicners can help US bridge over the
as racing is concerned we are pro-
Vided for. We are already on the
state racing circuit, but the people
want more than horse trots. They
want a fair
Story of the Enabling Act.
Major Tom Anderson then told of
now the enabling act came TO be put
through the legislature when it was
found that the legislators were rot
disposed TO act on the state fair pro-
position az the last session He said
that senator Smith had redrafted the
original bill and that after il had
passed the legislature it was found
tfat the bill was defective in that il
would not permit the levy to be used
TO improve the present state fair
grounds The bill was recalled from
the governor and re-passed with what
We're supposed to be adequate amend
nents; This matter was looked after
county in the legislature. At least
they told Major Anderson that they
would and had looked after it, It an
peared, however, that the bill had
oeen repassed, signed and enacted
as II originally was Major Anderson
said that one of the strong arguments
IN favor of Topeka as <ne nome of the
state faIr was the location of the
present fair grounds and he said that
they should not be disposed of but
should &c enlarged
Have you talked with any Iawyer2r
asked Commissioner Sterne. who will
adVlse that We can make this levy un-
der The law as it standS2''
To be frank with you repIied Mr.
Anderson, 4 have been ashamed 10
take it TO any lawyer. But we ought
TO get together in some way and stare
this fair rrcposItion."
There is no way in the world that
the board can make this two mill levy
to improve the present fair grounds urI-
der this Law" said Mr. ScbenrEC yyF7a
was present.
Judge Cuinton declared that to he his
opinion but asked Mr.. Schenck. '-Is
there anything to prevent the selling
of the present grounds and buying now
ones and then making the levy2"
Schenck- But there would have to De
a real sale CT the grounds. No subter-
fuges wo1id be legal"
Il also agree with you there" re-
An Ideal Location.
People will not stand for n changa
in the location of the fair grounds
said Mr.. E H Crosby. who was the
next speaker. 1t is just because of the
ideal location of those grounds that To-
poka and Shawnee county will have
such fEe chance to become the home
of the state fair.
4 may De a little optimistic he
went on, but in looking ahead I sec
q
manent exposition tere. The state
house is low Cvcrcrowded for office
room. It will not be long before the
state VIII be erecting another building
to fir.d room for the many commissions
that are being created from time to
time by the legislature. 1 believe that
if Topeka gets the state fair such
building will be erected by the state or
the present fair glounds in which could
be the homes of the state departments
of agriculture. mines and mining. hoI ii
culture and possibly the state histori-
cal society This could be made large
enough so that there could be on ex-
hibitiou at all times the resources of
the various counties of the state. 1t
would be sort of a permanent expOsi-
ton The people, 1 am sure, do nGt
believe in disposing Of the present fair
grounds.
They want a fair on the present
grounds with an addition to them
and they want the county commissions
ers to be with Il EN- and help them to
get this fair.
How can the county help under tie
circumstances" asked Mr.. Sterne
The thorght Z as occurred TO me-
grounds can be sold. additional ground
next to them which will be needed can
De purchased and then the new and
enlarged grounds bought back At any
rate We ought 70 get together on this
or some other proposition
How are we going TO do it," asked
Mr.. Sterne.
We'll. we want you with US first -
replied Mr.. Crosby. ''aud then we will
try and find a way to accomplish the
end in view. 4 committee might be
appointed to look into the matter and
work with the board"
rs it possible for the board 10 ac-
oufre the two additional blocks that
will be needed2" asked Mr. Heath
II know of no law" answered Mr..
Sterne, (which gives US the authority
to do So"
Have the commissioners any funds
available for such a purpose2" asked
Mr. Heath
NO replied Mr.. Sterne-
I'VE assume that the commissioners
are with US in favor OF fair said