The Daily Missoulian., 1914-10-23
STATE FAIR REPORT
FAIR SHOWS | BIG
INCREASE
SECRETARY BRElTENSTElN'S FL
NANclAL STATEMENT is
SUBMITTED TO BOARD.

Helena, oct 22.-tSpecial.) -Secre-
tary A. j. Breitenstein OF the state
fair has just submitted to the gov
ernor and state board of examiners
q financial statement of this years
exposition, giving in detail the opera
tions, both revenue and expenses, to-
gether with statistical data and par
ticulars for a period from March to
October Is. 1914.
Briefly, this years fair was a great
success; with six days of perfect
weather, with a splendid attendance
every day, a large increase in entries
in every department, a racing pro-
gram which was considered the best
ever pulled off, and with an entertain
ing, lively and pleasing amusement
program, practically every one of
those attending went away with
praise Of this years fair. Montana's S
attendance equalled those of the Spo-
kane Interstate fair and the Utah
State fair and can readily be classed
as the biggest and best fair of the
whole northwest.
The total revenue of the fair this
year was $11,2 ,233:25 more than in 1913;
the operating expenses exceeded that
OF last year by $8,500.17. The per-
centage of increase in revenue was
% 1-2 per cent while the increase in
expense was II 1-3 per cent, or a net
gain Of 10 1-5 per cent. Practically
all increases We're planned on, the
major portion being in premiums, at
fractions and amusements and the
natural increase in all departments
requiring additional superintendent
and assistants, more judges, and a
greater number of laborers account
larger grounds, additional buildings,
etc. The entries in all divisions in
creased from 1898 in 1913 to over 49,
600 this year. In 1912 there were but
$500 entries, practically a double in
two years. In a tWo-year period O913
and 1910 the revenue from all
sources increased 80 per cent. while
the operating expenses increased
slightly over 13 per cent Rra actically
every large fair i1l the country with
the exception of Montana's, showed "a
decrease in attendance and revenue
and gave as a cause rwar conditions
The summary INDICATES that g on
March l there, WAS s5O,1S2E5 on, ,hand
and this with the 100000 appropriation
for maintenance. and fmisceianeous
receipts of $l,2N911 -nlade al total of
$7l,3s1 S6 TO conduct the 9l4 fair. The
total disbursements NJ for this period
amounted to r$7T,91754. s5 v-r s-t ot, ,
n For the first time in the fairs his
tery athe proceeds from the racing and
betting departments exceeded the eN-
penses and left a balance of $2,662.61
to the good. The increase in revenue
in this division was 27 per, cent, while
the increase in 'exI1ense MAS but z per
cent. E&N,F as : - S3.A SEett F@ 4
The erection of the new fireproof
horticultural building, the taking over
of additional ground, putting up new
fences, building a beautiful entrance
way and new bleacherS, re-roofing and
re-painting the grandstand together
with many other minor repairs, etc.
gave considerable additional tone to
the fair this year and indicated to a
degree the measure in which this
state institution is forging ahead. In
addition to the maintenance eXpendi-
lures. the horticultural hall cost S25,-
600, one-half of which was released
by the state and the other half ad-
Vanced by five of the Helena banks
The state also released $4,000 of the
$4,000 appropriation for new build
ungs and repairs; out of this fund was
erected the new entrance way, new
bleachers, a wire woven fence around
additional ground purchased last Year.
for the re-roofing and re- painting Of
the grandstand and other minor re-
nairS