Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-23
The Future of State Fairs.
fpr G. NJ. Twitchsll in Maine Farmer.)

(Dr. g, NJ. Twitchell In Maine Farmer.)
In a recent word to the public, Com
| missioner Roberts puts before the think
| era of Maine, and workers for its pros.
| perity, a proposition of tremendous i'm
portance-the consolidation of our three
state fairs into one great fair, to hold
over several days, and be truly represent
ative of the state and Its Industrial
work, something that we cannot now
claim for either of our exhibitions.
Without any thought of criticism,
here is something to be considered.
Voters are slowly coming to ask wheth-
or the state ia getting fair return for
money expended, and in this we find one
of our most hopeful signs. Let the eyes
of the public be opened, for only In this
way will we come to wise expenditures
and economical management. Bangor,
Waterville, and the State Fair at Lewis
ton draw annually from the state treas
ury practically six thousand dollars.
Does the state receive fair equivalent
| in the way of stimulated agricultural in
terests? For twenty years there has
been steady, II gradual, decline in the
number OF exhibitors and breeders. A
few men fit their herds and stock for ex
hibition and gather in the cream at each
of the big fairs. There Is no doubt
about the honesty of the awards or the
superiority Of the exhibits, but is this
enough? These fairs were organized,
and the money is appropriated, to foster
agriculture and increase mechanics. Ex'
cept In an indirect manner, and in isolat-
ed cases, Is this the resultp
The purpose of the state was to reach
and encourage the man at the bottom OF
the ladder who is struggling, who has q
desire for better stock, and needs the
benefit of competition as an educator.
This class is not reached to-day because
oyershadowed. No one 10 at fault here;
it is simply the problem OF available
funds.
Before the Eastern State Fair was
started, the Maine State, with one half
the stipend now paid, received annually
from five to eight or ten thousand dol
lars more than now, and therefore, could
do what to-day Is impossible. Then too,
the change in public thought regarding
entertainment has been considered as
forcing the expensive platform perform
auces. burden to every society. Given
one state fair, conducted by up-to-date
business methods, with the stipeud now
paid the three, and a service can be rem
dered which will stimulate the establish
ed breeders and growers and encourage
starters.
Such a combination could offer prizes
| for herds, and also for farmers stock,
reaching in this way all classes. In fact,
the only class TO be losers, by such
step AZ indicated in Commissioner Rob
erts' letter, is the professional show
man, who is simply out for the dollars
The withdrawal of this class will be nc
loss to the state but a decided gain, in
that the straight breeders would find
greater incentive to come out in force
Something must be done to make oul
larger fairs OF greater service to the
state and the industry. Years ago, b
2. Keith, the noted and highly success
full theatre manager, said to the writer
"The trouble with your fairs is thai
they run themselves. Run them BY
schedule time and keep things hum
ming and there would be. no call fol
platform performances and no word o.
com plant from any person."
Shall We consolidate or scatter the
forces working for the good Of the farm
ers of Msipep Shall we multiply fair
and midways, as we'll as vaudeville per
formances, that the few may be gamers
or shall we get in line to reach, interest
and help the largest possible NUMBER