Evening journal., 1913-09-25
MISS BISSELL
OBJECTED TO
SHOW AT FAIR
As Result Reading Room Will
Not Take Part in Award
of Babies Prizes
TELLS OF A CLASH OVER
MIDWAY ATTRACTION

withdrawn from all connection with
the giving out of the prizes with the
State Fair in the Better Babies Con-
test. and the managers OF the contest
will not be present at the City Hall on
Friday afternoon.
The reasons for this decision go
back 10 the third day Of the Fair. on
that date. Miss Bissell, who is the
chairman of the Social Service Com
mittee of the Delaware Federation Of
Women's Clubs, was repeatedly ap-
pealed TO 10 stop, II possible. the
shows known as the Oriental Dane
ers" and "Girlies" then going on in
the Midway While feeling II a very
disagreeable duty, she did not feel
that it could be shirked, and accord
ing went in 10 one of the shows her.
self She then. telepboned TO Chief
Black, and informed the Fair authOri-
ties that unless the shows were closed
she would make a personal complaint.
They we're Immediately closed, but
MIR. Samuel II. Wilson demanded that
Miss Bissell should be dismissed from
the grounds on account of the stand
she had taken. Miss Bissell immed-
lately left the grounds, and did not
return until after the Fair was closed.
10 mack up her things. Before coming
out TO the Fair grounds TO do this,
Miss Bissel asked If her presence
would be allowed, and was told that
she could come.
After the Fair was over Miss Bissell
sent the following letter to the Board
of Directors Of the Fair:
Directors of the Delaware State
Fair
Dear Sirs: As the chairman Of
the Committee on Social Service Of
the Delaware Federation of Womens
Clubs Comprising over 1900 mem
hers. with clubs in Wilmington. New
ark. Middletown, Smyrna, Dover
Wyoming. Harrington. Seaford
Bridgeville. Laurel, Delmar. Milford.
Lewes, Georgetown. Milton and
Fenton) ] was appealed TO on Thurs
day morning. September II, to abate
the nuisance Of two Midway shows,
"Girlies" and "OrientaI Dancers at
your fair grounds. when 7 was acting
as head OF the Better Babies Contest
for the West End Reading Room, OF
which ! am a director.
"As 7 did not wish to act without
knowledge I personally investigated
these shows and attended the entire
performance of one of the two. being,
with a companion. the only women
present among some twenty-five men
and boys. After seeing each OF the
four dancers perform. we left the
tent and I called up Chief Black, and
told him that wished to complain OF
tho shows. and would, If necessary,
appear as a prosecuting witness. II
any of you gentlemen had seen IL,
I feel sure you would wish Il closed
a. once. and would have made The
complaint before | did
Chief Black came out to the
grounds. and we met L. Scott Town
send. who Immediately, as represent
ing the association, ordered the show )
closed For this prompt action. !
as chairman of the Club Committee,
desire TO thank your board III the
name Of the women of Delaware.
Your secretary, Mr.. Wilson, how
ever. at once informed the directors
that unless | was dismissed from the
grounds he would throw up his Job.
It proved impossible 20 reason with
him, as his disposition is unfortunate
and the Fair was practically at his
mercy. When this was explained to
me. at once said I would leave, in
order that Mr.. Townsend should be
spared any inconvenience. gave
the charge Of the Better Babies Con-
test. which | was superintending, tC
the assistant superintendents, and lefi
the grounds Immediately, not return
irg until after the Fair was over.
In this remarkable action or MIR
Wilson's, I find nothing personal tc
resent. have never seen him more
than q few times in my life, and onls
i'm relation TO the equipment of the
tents. etc. While he was unfortunate
IN manner, ] had been told by many
others that he would be. and SC
ignored IT, Therefore I have no per.
sUnal complaint to make against him
especially as a man who loses all self
control in fit OF rage need not bs
taken very seriously.
But as Chairman OF Federation
Committee. representing I. 500 Della
ware women, with clubs in Whining
ton. Newark, Middletown. Smyrna
Dover. Wyoming, Harrington. Sesford
Brideevillc, Laucls, Delmar. Milford
Lewes. Georgetown. Milton and Eel
ton feel that tho insult offered, ever
in uncomfortable temper. by sub
ordinate official OF your Fair. 10 III
decent womsnhood Of Delaware, mus
be reckoned with. was acting in III
discharge Of q duty. and the insul
was to those I represent. and to al
Delaware. I know that you will b
anxious to make any reparation pos
sible now that the Fair is over, AM
you are no longer held up by Mr.. vii
sons threat.
1 ashland ] am sure you will Sc
the justice of my request-that Nj
Wilson send me a written apolog
within 4S hours, and that satisfactor
assurance be given that he will no
act a. an official Of the Fair next year
The newspapers have been anxiou
TO find out what happened. ] hav
protected the Fair by giving no infor
nation Whatever. ] am heartily il
sympathy with the Fair, as you al
kn"N. hope we will be able to kee
ms Out OF the press. from first {
last do not want the Fair 10 hav
10 wash its dirty linen in public. Blu
IL has to be washed. and washed clear
before this incident is closed. Your
very truly. EMIL p. BISSELL.
Chairman Social Service Commit
tee. Delaware Federation OF Women
Clubs"
The Fair Directors asked for tim
TO appoint a committee to conside
the matter. Miss Bissell accordingl
withheld all facts from publicity unit
that SHOULD be done. The committe
has lust replied that il does nc
feel II necessary 70 dispense with III