The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-11
ATTITUDE TOWARD
SMALL BREEDERS
IS WRONG
FAIR MANAGEMENT THREATENS
FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE AN.
NuAL SHOW, IN OPINION OF
TIMES LIVE STOCK EXPERT.
BY n. n. MACK.

"A has come and gone and its de-
tails are matters OF historical record.
In many respects the state fair Is a
credit TO the state and To the city
near which II Is held. The location
OF the grounds Is ideal and the symet-
rical development OF the enterprise
from the beginning until now. with a
few exceptions, speaks eloQuently OF
the ability, intelligence and public
spirit Of the men who have had charge
OF the work.
The fair, this year, was probably
the most successful exhibition, from
the standpoint OF attendance and
gross receipts, ever held by the Mich
4 igan Agricultural society.
The success or failure of an agricult-
ural exhibit can hardly be gagged,
however, by the daily attendance or
the size OF the gate receipts.
While II Is obvious that for state
fair to succeed In the fullest sense
OF the word. all parties interested
must cooperate harmoniously, there
Is a certain class OF citizens who can
make or break the undertaking at
y lhtil ltnOul tue SupDOIl
of the live stock breeders and farmers
OF the state an agricultural exhibit
can hardly hope to succeed. To hold
a state fair without the assistance Of
at least a majority Of the Michigan
live stock breeders is like attempting
to play Hamlet with no one cast for
the leading role.
Danger In the Wrong Course.
| The average farmer is discriminat
ing. He can readily discern whether
an exhibition Is planned with a view
to the improvement of his mind or
for the purpose OF relieving him OF
any spare cash that he may have. The
twentieth century farmer is hungry
for knowledge He is eager to learn
more about the work to which he has
devoted his life. He has seen great
benefits accrue TO those who have
thoroughly informed themselves and
he IL eager to do likewise. He will
support, right Loyalty. an agricultural
exhibition that is planned and fash
Toned along ethical and scientific lines.
| Destroy tho rural flavor Of the ex-
hlbit at the Michigan state Fair and
give the bulk Of the space over to the
faklr and he will never be seen there.
II would seem to be easier to hold
him while we have him than TO I'M
dertake to win him back after he has
been entranged by Encouragement
and carelessness.
Breeders are Dissatisfied.
That Michigan live stock breeders
are greatly dissatisfied with the man
agement OF the fair since it has been
located here, is easily apparent. Last
year stock men were dissatisfied with
the treatment that they received and
during the past week the opposition
has taken the form of an open revolt
against the methods practiced by the
managers of the fair. 1t is reported,
that when the grievances OF the live
stock breeders were brought to the
attention of Superintendent Doherty,
he was inclined TO make light of the
matter. He secuted the idea OF a
possible boycott on the part of the
breeders and intimated that their
grievances were imaginary and their
complaints the idle talk OF a lot OF
chronic kickers who were talking to
hear the sound OF their own voices
and who would come back with an
exhibit another year just the same as
heretofore.
The chief cause OF dissatisfaction
among the breeders seems to be the
cutting out OF the so-called Michigan
classes by the management and open
ing the competition to herds from
other states. Superintendent Doherty
states that this course was taken to
induce Michigan breeders to accept
higher standard OF excellence. He
is quoted as saying that all OF the
important breeders In Michigan are
in favor OF the change. and that the
kickers are the little fellows for whom
the pace. brought about by the new
order OF things, is entirely too hot.
Mr.. Doherty evidently believes that
the state fair exists for the benefit OF
the large. wealthy breeders alone. but
II Is to be hoped that his views on
this particular subject are not shared
by many Of the other members Of the
governing board of the society.
A state fair comes far short OF Its
purposes II il does not stimulate In the
minds OF the young farmers or the
state q desire TO produce better live
stock. Under former conditions these
beginners in live stock breeding could
exhibit their stock with q fair chance
of winning q share OF the prizes Of
fered In the Michigan classes. but
with the exhibit open to the world
they realize that il would be little
less than folly for them to enter the
lists against millionaire breeders who
are touring the country with their
stalled cattle. In the past the Mich
igan state fair has accomplished
great deal in the way OF Improvement
In the breeding of the focks and the
herds OF the state. A healthy rivalry
between young breeders Of modest
means has been generate and the
splendid herds which have been shown
ar the state fair In other years bear
testimony TO the enterprise and good
Judgment of Michigan breeders as a
| class.
Michigan live stock breeders are not
given TO idle talk, All they ask for
Is a square deal and fair chance to
win back a portion OF their own mon
ey without coming into competition
with the wealthy professional show
men or other states.
In view OF the above facts II would
seem to be good judgment on the part
OF the managers OF the state fair TO
give the grievances OF so large and
influential a class OF citizens prompt
and consiherate attention.