Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-04
ATTENDANCE OF LAST TWO DAYS
cuRTAlLED ON ACCOUNT
OF RAIN.
EXCEEDS ALL PREVIOUS FAIRS
EXCEPT IN NET RECEIPTS
Cooperation Between Agricultural De-
partment and State College Con-
spicuous-sufficien Profit Assured
to Garry on improvements conter,
plated on the Grounds.
Special to Times Republican.


Des Moines. Sept. 4.-Iowa's state
fair for 1909 is over and it has been
one of the most successful in the his
tory of the institution. In practically
every feature it has been ahead of any
other. Every year sees some improve
ment in the grounds and some gain in
only feature that marred this years ex-
position was the rain on Thursday
which kept thousands away. One of
the plans which the board of directors
nave in mind as an Improvement as
soon as the profits will pay for it is
covered walks from both the Rock
Island and street car entrances and
from one building TO another so that
in case of rain the crowds will come
any way and the fair can proceed as
tho there was no rain.
In the years that have passed the fair
has been remarkably Fortunate in es-
Gaping rainy weather but many years
ago the institution lost money by strik-
ing some rainy weeks. Now there is
such an investment of money in the
buildings and such large expenses in
I planning and arranging for the fair
that the state can i'll afford to run the
| risk of having a rainy week spoil it all.
With covered walks this risk would not
| be run to the extent that it is now and
| should hot weather prevail the covers
/ to the walks would operate equally for
The comfort OF the people,
The profits of this years fair will not
be known for some time but there will
4 be a good profit according to the Off
cials which will guarantee further i'm
provements for next year. The amphi-
theater which was finished so far as
the seating capacity is concerned In
time for this years fair will be entire
ly completed by next year and will
bring in further revenue in the rent
of the space underneath The next big
Improvement to be made in the
grounds will be the erection of a ma
chinery hall. This will probably have
to be done by a legislative appropria-
tion as the profits from the fair for
some years will be needed in erecting
more permanent cattle and horse barns
and in other similar improvements
. From every standpoint unless possl-
bly, that of net profits to the state. the
fair has broken all previous records
About 25OoO different persons passed
the gates and the total receipts run t.
something like S135 900, The expansion
of the fair into great annual exposi-
ton of all the arts and industries has
necessitated an increase Of the expense
l. Cot,
spent a great deal more for premium.
and attractions Of all kinds than before
The result was fair that gave i'm
mense satisfaction to every one. ant
it would have been profitable to the
state, but for the bad wea :.
close. The officers of the fair hav,
been complimented by everybody OF
the excellence of the exhibits and tn,
completeness of every department. Th
improvements which have been mad
on the grounds and in buildings hav
' been the delight of all the visitors Th
grand parade of cattle and horses
wearing the ribbons awarded was on
of the finest demonstrations ever mad
at state fair. The races We're aban
doned for the last day. but the visitor
a who attended the fair had a very pleas
n ant dav of it.
q A feature of the fair this year whicl
;, attracted the attention of all close OBJ
servers was the fact that there wa
$ such cooperation between the fai
: management and the State Colleg
v management in making this an educa
tonal proposition. In all lines ther
was such working together as to brin
> about best results. The aim of tn
state fair management has been
4 make these annual fairs of real benef
to the common farmers Of the state an
. to develop all lines of industry 1t
the plan to further develop this ide
. in the future. All exhibitors indicate
g their satisfaction with the management
and premiums were paid, as has bee
o the castom, as soon as the judges ha
. completed their work