The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-16
OFFICIALS RETURN
 FROM KNOXVILLE Burton and Chaffee Pick Up New Ideas for Big
 Alabama Fair

B. B. Burton, president of the Ala- bama State Fair which opens it's twelfth annual exposition in this city on October 9th, next, who went to Knoxville to attend the Appalachian exposition opening on Wednesday. &C., companied by Frank P. Chaffee, secs retary of the Alabama State Fair, res turned to Birmingham yesterday after a decidedly strenuous, though thor- oughly enjoyable, trip.
 During the flying visit to Knoxville, known as the queen city of the Smoky mountains.' Messrs. Burton and Chaf- fee secured a number of additional concession contracts and also induced several new and novel amusement at- fractions to sign up for the rapidly approaching Alabama State Fair.
 The Appalachian exposition Is a. wonderful show said Mir. Burton, in speaking of his trip. "Theve were a number of interesting and commend able features about it, and while there, though we made only a brief visit, we secured many new ideas and plans which will be utilizee for the benefit of the thousands attending the Ala bama State Fair in this city next month.
 "one of the noteworthy features of the Appalachian exposition was the unexpectedly large attendance. the peo- pie of east Tennessee, North Caro- lima, lower Kentucky and even north ern Georgia rallying to Knoxville as if the show there was in reality the one great holiday of the year.
 An especially commendable fea- ture was the manufacturing and indus trial arts displays, for which a spe- cial building was used. The exhibits and displays in this line were worth a great deal. in themselves being striis- ingly interesting.
 Altogether the Appalachian exposi- tion Is an enterprise worthy of the sturdy and hospitable people of east Tennessee and we feel if the Alabama State Fair rivals it In one phase, that of eXcelling all past records by large ma aiorities, as in the proud boast of the Appalachian management, our own d it and the great. strides made in ev- cry department will enable us to hold an exposition in Birmingham the equal of any held in the entire United States.
 Now that we are back every energy will be applied to getting- in readiness for our opening day, now only 20 days off.
 With the remarkable list of free amusements which we have provided, and with the showing indicated by every de- partment there is no doubt but that the Alabama State Fair will be the grandest Alabama has ever known, and all loyal Alabamians should cooperate to that end. The large attendance given the Appa- lachian exposition, the first fair of the southern circuit to throw open it's gates. indicates the awakening of the fair spirit and is significant of the large att tendance which we may expect at ~the Alabama State Fair. since more interest has been taken in this state in the past than in any other section of the south''
 As an illustration of the wide fame which the Alabama State Fair has at tained, correspondence has been recently conducted with a resident of St. Croix. province of Montreal, Canada, in regard to making an exhibit in the woman's de- partment.
 A young woman, Miss Leonie Touliet addressed F. P. Chaffee. secretary, sew eral days ago. signifying her intention of making a fine display of Canadian needlework, provided it was not necessary to pay dutie son the articles which will compose the exhibit.
 This point has been taken up by Mrs. J. B. Reid, superintendent of the wom- ans department. and it is probable that arrangements will be made to permit this exhibit being added to the large number to pay duties on the articles which will over the world in this department.
 As the time is growing nearer for the opening of the fair the grounds are be- ing put in beautiful shape, and in few days will be ready for the great event. this seasons exposition promising in every particular to be bigger. brighter and