Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-01-10

That is just how the matter stands ana
ii is up to the business men and 9TH
ers interested to rally to the support
of the falling company in order that
other exhibitions may be given in the
near future. The committee. Which for
weeks has been endeavoring to collect
money by subscription to pay off the
old debts amounting to about $780, are
at the end of their rope. The present
mana cement of the fair declines to
stand for reelection with such an
amount owing and thus far no officers
have been elected for the association
About one month ago at the annual
meeting the matter was brought to
tie attention of the members and the
citizens in general, many of whom
knew little about the financial situa-
ton. Since President Martin Bartlett
has been in office and the present man
agement existed. the debt has been
considerably lowered, but about $500
remains. To Mr.. Bartlett belong about
20 per cent. of that amount. as lie gen
e.'ously came to the front with person
al capital and held the association to-
gether. He declines to stand the re-
sponsibiity any longer, and there are
enough broad-minded men who look
at the matter in the same light. feel
ing that no individuals, or evel. few
should shoulder the whole Fair Asso-
cation.
In the first place, during the term of
office of the present officers, a COM
pany was formed whereby. the land on
which the fairs have been held, was
taken over by them from the Water
Vile & Oakland Railroad. This was
known as the Central Maine Realty
Co. which leased to the Central Maine
Fair Association the ground for
term of years. But debts grew. and
there was no ready money with which
to pay them. Consequently several of
the leading business men, and those
anxious that the fair should continue
met and suggested that canvassers be
sent out in order that a sum of money
covering the expenses might be raised.
1t WAS decided that if sufficient sum
could he raised. enough to offset the
bills. new corporation might be
started to take the fair in hand
But AZ tire annual meeting there was
great deal of Indifference concern
ing the life membership tickets and
INV tu-N Houlu Dt SIlOulu II
new company take over the fair 1t
WAS the opinion of many thai they
should hold good for all time. 1t was
the idea of the promoters of the new
company to issue new shares and il q
lie member We're to buy shares he
would be given an allowance for the
money that he had previously paid in.
But the members out of the city were
the hardest to convince. They declar-
ed that the fair was of no direct value
to them personally and that they did
not feel like subscribing again. Thus
tie promoters We're up against it both
Wavs.
The business men along the street
and the ones they thought derived
substantial benefit. were the first ones
To throw cold water on the PROPOSE
ton ana refused their assistance in
any manner. The canVasserS put the
matter to them in fair and square
way, telling them at the time that the
money they subscribed would be moth
ing more or less. as far as they could
see, than pure donation. Some saw
the benefit of fair: others did not
and the result was that at the annual
encouraging was presented However,
the promoters We're men of the never
die stamp and they decided to try again
ard adjourned the meeting for one
month. During that time they have
worked hard but with such little re-
suit that they are now almost dis
couraged.
IondaN was tie date 10 which the
meeting WAS adjourned and IA meeting
OF The members OF the new corporation,
or those who had signed the subscrip-
ton papers. pledging support. vas
called for 10 o'clock in the morning,
to be held at the Office of W +. Haines
in the Edith building but owing to
the lack of interest the meeting was
adjourned for one week. There were
but Jew present.
Inc adjourned annual meeting came
IN the afternoon and was held at the
council rooms in the City building.
quite a number We're present. The
meeting Was presided over by Pres
ident Martin F. Bartlett OF the As
soalafloh who asked for the report
of the committee on organization. w.
t. Haines was chairman of this COM
''''esN~ ''''A oSSot!dttu Win ilfiti were
DR.. c. w. Abbott. H. Jndkins. $. P.
Feiker. ii, x. Durham. s +, Whit
comb and NJ. F.. Bartlett.
MIR. Eaines reported that the COM
mlttee and canvassers had approached
the merchants and laid .hc entire
matter before them regarding their
plan for forming the Central Maine
Far Co. The par value of each share
WAS So and all who took four We're
given credit ior the $50 which was
pad in fGf life membership tickets
Two shares wTo offered. whereby the
holder could get a ticket for five years
and personal tickets We're granted
when a person took one share. Those
who have signed the papers cid not
feel like going ahead unless the en-
tire amount. $500. was raised. This
was the understanding. The indebt-
edness is scattered widely. So.:e OF
tie new subscribers are creditors of
the old company and many of them
turned their bills into shares in the
new company. Still others refused
point blank. The idea was to or
ganize and then make deal with
tile Central Maine Realty Co. ror the