Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-02-02
STATE MONEY NOT
FOR AMUSEMENT
SECRETARY OF STATE FRgAa
GIVES VIEWS TO FAIR
OFFICIALS.
INTEREST THE soYs WITH CON-
PETITIVE ExHI8ITs-ADVo-
Gates REST ROOMS.


ing of presidents and secretaries Of
county agricultural societies of the
state, held here yesterday, paper by
Secretary of State Frear was read, in
which were many questions relating to
the management of county fairs. Mr..
F'rear said that no one will advocate
eliminating innocent performances
nor decent forms OF entertainment
from county fair attractions. 1t is
however, TO inform the citizen of agri-
cultural possibilities and afford a
school OF instruction by object les
sons or competition that state aid is
given to these societies. Over SS5,000
was paid last year by Wisconsin to-
ward the support of IS fairs, not IN
GLIDING tue state fair In many In
stances, state aid amounting to near
ly one,half the total fair expense, was
paid to the association.
1T is mistake, said Secretary
Frear. TO ask for state money If its
purpose is to simply amuse the public
with the proceeds. Every hamlet in
the state possesses its moving picture
show. Street fakirs and questionable
performances live OFF the city as well
as the country but under police super
vision, in cities these performances
are kept within restricted bounds. II
is at the county fair or street fair
that such exhibitions demand more
license than in other places.
The national government gives
literally to its great expositions,
spending millions of dollars in attract
ing the best exhibits from all lands.
or these great sums, only small
part is used to support cheap attrac-
tions. The midway and the trail
when permitted to exist. are subor-
dinated to the real educational pur.
poses of the exposition. What is true
on large SCALE should be equally
true of the county fair.
Il know this is a delicate subject TO
mention, where men of experience
can point TO financial results through
present methods, but the primary OBJ
ject of the fair should be educational
and your ingenuity can best be EN-
ployed In deylsing new methods OF
entertainment that will be helpful
TO yOdr people"
Mr.. Frear recalled the wonderful
progress made in agriculture by the
farmers of Wisconsin and com.
mended the country fair as an institu.
ton for the education and betterment
of the tillers OF the soil
Interest the Boys.
IL occurs TO me In this connec-
tion," he said, TO speak word for
the boys and one for the county fair.
The great balance wheel of our bust
ness world lies in our agricultural
interests. To a scarcely less degree
these same interests influences the po-
litical world. Environment and occu.
patton serve to develop individuality
In the farmer boy Education and
ambition are twin virtues that bring
TO the country, through him, a strong
citizenship which in later life finds
place among the leading neu Of our
nation
Whatever you can do to cultivate
these virtues among hoys, is bread
cast upon the waters, for the boy OF
today Is the man Of tomorrow v9u
can arouse interest In his life work,
by ,making 1t especially attractive and
profitable, by arranging competitive
exhibits in the growth of farm PROD.
uets. This plan has already been
adopted by some societies in snail
degree. Give his physical prowess a
chance to develop by providing ath-
letic competitions restricted to age
and locality. Inspire the boys per.
sonal interest In the fair, and with
him will come his family, and neigh
bors to lend him encouragement"
Mr.. Frear said that an educated.
progressive farm boy or girl, is more
valuable TO any community today, to-
morrow and In the years TO come,
than all the freak shows or trotting
fakes, that will carry off money from
the county fair. These ideas are not
new, but are applied The university
and every high school appeals to the
boy and the girl through educational
benefits and athletic rivalry. If the
key TO this motive power can be used
by our schools, why should it not be
made profitable and attractive feat
nre of county fairs?
Il cannot refrain from adding IN
other suggestion" said the speaker
Every county fair should have some
commodious rest room where people
can congregate informally. 1t should
have cleanly surroundings and sani-
tary condition Don't devote all the
money to display, but invest in COM
fort and convenience; = will pay in
the end and build for the future sue
caes az vour. fair -