Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-01
ATTENDANCE At STATE FAIR
PROBABLY WILL SHOW
FALLING OFF.
EUROPEAN WAR AMONG
cURTAlLlNG CAUSES
Decrease Shown on Opening Days and
shortage Probably Will Not Be Over
coms-c anadian Land Boosters and
Questionable Concessions Barred by
High Charges For Privileges.
pecial to Times-Republicaa.

Special to Times-Republtcaa.
Des Moines, Sept. Lit will be some
what surprising IL, in view Of all the
things operating to divert attention
elsewhere, the attendance at the state
fair this year exceeds that Of last
YEAR. The officials hope that it will
but realize that there are conditions
which operate to reduce attendance.
There Is no question about the war in
Europe causing a great many to hest
tate abouts pending even the small
SIMS necessary to attend the fair. The
bad condition Of the corn crop as It
developed at the close Of the .serson is
also a disadv antase, tho it q not ex-
tend all over the state. But that which
Ia difficult to understand Is why. out
of a population Of 100000 people.
comparatively so few take an interest
in the state fair. The attendance OF
last year OF about 100000. or rather
that many total admissions, means
probably not to exceed 175OCO persons
coming to the fair from outside OF Des
Moines. A great many of the admis-
sions represent repeated coming OF the
same persons. The Des Moines peo-
pie who attend usually go several
times, tho it is doubtful II more than
one out OF Ave goes to the fair even
for one day. OF the outsiders the bulk
of them come from with radius OF
fifty miles, the attendance from distant
parts of the state being comparatively
small Still 1t is certain that there
are thousands OF persons who could at
tend the state fair with profit to them
selves and probably would do so II
they fully realized its possibilities.
Deereass on Opening Days.
The attendance thus far at the fair
has been somewhat smaller than last
year but receipts are running along
about as usual Each year larger sum
is received from concessionaires There
is now as always in the past some
complaint because high rates ara
charged for the concessions. But also
each year there are more OF them and
they seem to be in greater demand
than In the past. As prices ordinarily
90 according 20 the law Of supply ana
demand the higher prices will prevail.
Another thing the fair management
does that 10 highly commended and
that is to have variable scale OF
prices, 30 that an objectionable con-
.ce.sion may be forced away. and some
of the exhibits-as for instance Ca
madam land boosting-are deprived OF
ia place by reason OF the high prices
charged
The visitors with one accord say that
the general program Of the fair this
year is exceptionally good. There have
been some excellent races. The vaude-
VILE and speciality features have been
fine. The now arrangement Of the race
track, with subway and new cooling
barn, and the vaud willie stages set on
the grandstand side of che track, 10 all
much appreciated. The Beachey ex-
hibitions with an aeropiane have been
far and away tho nest thing Of the
kind ever seen In the state. The stock
show at night Is. as usual. the gilt
edged and fashionable affair Of the
whole week.
Today is soldiers day at the fair,
and the fact OF the national encamp-
ment being held at the same time
prevents any special program. The
soldiers who attend today will, upon
registerin receive . ticket Of admis-
sion for morrow also Most Of the
member1 tho board favored giving
FREQ ADJ ION any day of the week
for the oilers. but their decision
came too . and after che tickets had
been print 20 It was hard 30 plan this
year. .H,..-