Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-18
GATE RECEIPTS.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, Sept. II, 1908.
With attendance figures, and receipts
smaller than one year ago, the 1908
Wisconsin state fair closed Friday after
a successful week. Two days of intense
heat held the crowds below the record
breaking point when every Indication
pointed to a new attendance figure be-
ing placed to the credit Of the 1908 man
agemcnt.
While the fair fell short in financial
achievements, in the quality and variety
of attractions it was more successful
than any fair ever given by the state.
The interest shown and the patronage,
under adverse conditions, is a criterion
of the quality of the attraction.
Milwaukee Given Praise.
To the people of Milwaukee the fair
managers have voted their thanks for
the loyalty shown on Milwaukee day
1T was evident each day that Il large
outpOuring of Milwaukee people helped
to fill the grounds, while the entire state
responded not alone on state day, but on
other days as WELL" said Secretary John
NJ. True on Friday evening.
I'VE feel that the greatest attend
ance we could possibly expect, under
the warm weather conditions, was Sc
cured, and we are thankful to the people
of our state for their support, while We
believe from what we have heard on
all sides, that Wisconsin this year has
presented more and better attractions
than ever before"
Must Enlarge Grounds.
The question of still further extending
and charging the grounds and buildings
will be one for careful consideration by
the board at an early date, the officials
fully realizing that many Improvements
are necessary before another fair is held.
Several of the present exhibit buildings
are inadequate for the purpose intended,
and it will be the aim of the board to
enlarge and increase these, where abso-
lutely needed.
One of the most pleasant things noted
this year was the almost complete alb
sence of dust on the ground as a result
of the Oiling Of all streets through the
big park. This kept the dust down and
the thousands of automobiles, carriages
and other vehicles on the grounds every
day moved about with comfort to Occu-
pants and no annoyance to the crowds
The hotels and eating stands We're, IS
rule. better this year than formerly.
while the facilities for conducting the
business at the entrance gates, the Of
fees of officials and elsewhere showed
notable improvements over former years.
Cars Handled 100000.
The street car facilities were better
lilil ever anu the I-D,Dtt NlSltOrS, OF
which it is stated by officials of the Mil
wauAe Electric Railway & Light COM
pany, about 100000 were handled over
its lines, were transported to and from
the grounds promptly and with little in
convenience.
During the rush hours. day and night,
cars arrived at the grounds and left there
on schedules varying from one every half
minute or train of three cars every quar-
ter of a minute. No serious mishaDs
were reported during the entire week.
Attendance Figures.
The total attendance for the five DAYS
was about $4,000. The attendance, by
days, follows: Monday, $1,000, against
80, 194 on the corresponding dav year
ago, when school children were admitted
free; Tuesday, 13,S1S, against 1900 q
year ago, when it rained: Wednesday
$1,000 against p 037 the wear before.
Thursday, 1871, against 10000 \ wear
ago, and Friday, 10000 with children
against 11,5S2 on the same day a year
ago.
The total gate receipts This vaar
amounted to $50, 52S.50, against sci
36S25 last year. The expenses this year
are estimated at $4,000, or - 10 20
per cent greater than last year
Outside Revenues Larger.
The reduction in gate receipts tbis
year will be pretty we'll offset bv in
creased revenues for privileges this wear.
which alone amounted to S15,10O, which.
with entrance fees and other sources of
revenue will bring the aggregate re-
ceipts up pretty well to what they We're
wear ago.