The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-02-11
KEEP The RE-
CORD STRAIGHT

VIC OehCSe III keepihB uiC ICIoi
straight.
We believe in the square DEAL" even
to the giving the Devil his dues.
We believe in the policy of keeping
the people informed and of making plain
and distinct whatever may have been
misconceived or misconstrued by some
misapplication of intent
At this time there are thousands of
citizens of Shreveport who entertain
some indefinite notions as to the State
Fair Association and its connection or
relation with the city. through its
Council
1t is not surprising that many citizens
Of more than average intelligence have
been led to indulge in some doubt Of
uncertainty Of action
To begin, it may be stated that the
proposition to transfer the fair grounds
property to the City of Shreveport orig
mated in the directory of the Fair As
sociation.
The directory had agreed to the plan
through which the city should have &C
Quired this property, on assuming the
obligations of the association. 1t was
proposed to have applied to this end as
much If not all the tax bonus Of the
Shreveport and Northeastern Railway
Company forfeited by failure of their
compliance with the contract. 1t was
stipulated that the fair grounds should
be opened and be used as public park
eleven months of the year, and that one
month be reserved for exhibitions by
the Fair Association By such an agree
ment, If it had been accepted. the hold
ers of stock i'll the association would
have dispossesscd themselves of what
ever pecuniary interest they held in the
property. 1t was such sacrifice as
public spirited citizens exhibit some
times for the welfare of their comlnun-
ity. but such sacrifice is not fair and
should not be expected
When this proposition had been put
intelligently before the people. what
happened?
The proposition was dealt blow
which was almost paralyzing.
It is of record that without request or
the Council voted an exten-
sion of time to the railway which had
failed to ear: ;!s bonus. ait. being i'll
default. was practically beyond cons1d
Grafton. This action of the Council was
80 unexpected by the railway company
that in fgurativc sense the officials
were trans6xed with amazement when
they heard it, and, having recovered
their breath two days afterwards, ex-
pressed BY letter their appreciation Of
this most remarkable proceeding, in
grant unfequested and unexpected. and
which was then and is today as dead in
law - smoked herring
To cay the least, this attitude of the
Council was shocking to the board of
directors Of the State Fair Association,
who, however, held a meeting at which
the plan now in operation was substi-
tuted for the original proposition of
transferring the property for city park
10 first designed.
The plan is simple As explained in
! public address by the president Of the
association, Mr.. Bolinger. each and
every taxpayer who has and will assign
his bonus to the Shreveport and North
eastern Railway to the Fair Association
will become stockholder in the asso-
riation and will have an interest in the
fair grounds property equal to the
amount of his bonus, and therefore, I'M
der this plan. it is not intended nor pur-
posed to transfer the fair grounds prop
crty to the city for park.
There is not tract of ground more
desirable and valuable in the corporate
limits of Shreveport than this fair
grounds tract, and as sensible. practical
bic business men. the directors have de-
on holding it and will continue
to have annual fairs as originall con-
templated.
Having agreed on this plan. which is
being strengthened by the generous re-
sponses Of the taxpayers. the proposed
rescue Of the Louisiana State Fair by
the city is unnecessary Had the plan of
rescue been original or If it possessed
elements which would give some assur-
ance Of its success, some serious atten-
ton could be given to its consideration,
but it is not only vague and glittering in
its generalities, but it is being miscon-
strued and is, inadvertently. misleading,
and therefore is not promotive of the
encouragement which would stimulate
some doubtful taxpayer i'll assigning his
bonus to the association
From practical business view the
plan being carried into effect by the
directors of the association in securing
this bonus is safe. and as an investment
It promises satisfactory returns. As an