The daily sentinel., 1907-10-03

My article published Monday ev'
ening was most evidently read with
haste and little prejudice by some
of the readers of your paper, among
whom was Secretary Chapman of the
| fair association, or he would not
have rushed to a defense of the
board of directors, who were not Sc
yerely criticised. 1t is not one OF
his duties to defend the association,
\ especially when the discussion is be-
| gun by stockholders who have an
interest in the future success of the
fair, as he is the servant of the
whole body and answerable to it.
The young man who presdes so ably
over the pages of the Daily News
certainly did not take the time TO
read, but allowed some prominent
but nameless citizen" to furnish him
with basis for some facetious re-
marks-pleasant to read. but frothy
| and quickly forgotten. The article
was written for the purpose of stir
ring up a discussion that would in
terest those who are Indifferent as
to the future of a county fair or sore
over some grievance, real or imagin-
airy. The time to take up these mat
ters and thresh them out is right
now, so that good rather than a
bad taste may linger IN the minds of
the friends and patrons. 1t is now
the time to call attention to the fu
ture policy of the fair and to discover
if the general talk of the dissatisfied
may not be overcome and all again
become ardent boosters. That there
is much dissatisfaction no one knows
better than Secretary Chapman, who
has heard many of the complaints be-
cause of his prominent position In
fair matters.
All are assured that the fair meet
ing was a success, and because of
this fact it Is safe to critlcise without
being misunderstood. j am hoping
that many features contributed to
that success and are therefore en-
titled TO consideration, but it GER
taihly is not knocking" to call at
tentlon to some lines of attraction
where sore spots exist that will crop
out later and detract from future
fairs, and which ! have discovered
after conyersing with fruit men and
others.
The most important mistake on
the part of the board or Secretary
Chapman was the "McCary Special
Premium" We can have no fault
to find with Mr.. McCary, who seized
| the opportunity to work an easy and
heap advertising scheme at the ex-
, ense of the fruit growers of the
.ounty and with the consent and con-
rlivance of the secretary. Others will
quickly follow the example, and we
shall be Interested to know whether
other directors Will sanction the
new departure, If they shall, then
we may expect sherman w. Moody
to offer a valuable diamond for the
best sofa pillow and take possession
| of several hundred of those beauti-
full and valuable articles, or Harry
| Hiatt will offer $1,000 auto for the
best 2-year-old colt and get n score
\ or more of fine Hambletonian young
sters; again Frank L. Dean. with his
customary bright eye for a business
| opportunity, will offer some of his
valuable pictures for the best G.
months-old baby, and-but Dean has
enough children of his own, and |
have made the point desired.
The special premium was offered
under the printed rules of the pre-
MUM list and another rule was per-
mitted within few hours of the call
II ing of the judges. although some had
Mr.. McCary. Most of those who en-
tered had their boxes picked and
packed many days before this. Had
the condition of Mr.. McCary been
printed in the premium list no one
could have found fault II they made
an entry, and it matters not what
is done with the apples II each ex.
hibitor be not given credit for the
sltt The action of Mr., McCary In
oHering the premium has beer
termed highly generous and patri
Otto. II was an advertising scheme
as are most special premiums"
do not know by what term 1t can b,
designated since the award wa,
made. Every exhibit at fair /,
the property of the exhibitor ard I,
loaned to the management for tn,
period advertised for the fair, and
unless other rules are made and tn,
exhibit is made under them, no one
can claim any part of any exhibit
The party paying the premiums car
make rules governing the award, car
name the judges and dictate Tho
work to be done. The fair manage
ment has no control properly over
suoh exhibits. Colorado pays tn,
premiums in the horticultural de
partment of the state fair at Pueblo
the state board of horticulture ar
ranges the premium list. names tn,
Judges and audits the premiums
They are then sent to the exhibitor.
or their agents and vouchers signed
and these are sent by the fair man,
agement to the state auditor for pay.
ment Some such arrangement woulS
be more satisfactory so long as Mess
county pays any part of the premL
ums offered by the local fair manage.
ment. The plan adopted by Mr. Nc
Cary will not become popular.
The fruit industry is by far the
most important and extensive of all