The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-12-02

isolated houses
Another improvement was the addi-
ton of fifty sanitary wire coops to the
equipment of the poultry house. These
are = vast improvement over the old
wooden coops and much more clearly,
neat and attractive. The arrangement
of the poultry department by DR.. Sayre
and his assistant, l.. G. Dewing, called
forth praises from Mr.. Hess, the x
pert judge, who wrote a very compli-
mentary letter about our fair, which
was published in several papers and
outside publications. This improve
ment in coops cost us about $4,000.
Attendance Fell off
The one feature of this years fair
that has worried the secretary has
been the falling off in attendance.
With increased exhibits, a larger num-
tons it was expected that the people
would come out in large numbers to
see the biggest and best fair ever pull
ed off in the Northwest. But crop and
weather conditions seem to be the
only real explanation for the decreased
number. Nearly one thousand dollars
less was taken in at the gate than in
1914. And when | found out after the
fair that numerous people who have
never missed a fair since the building
of the new grounds did not attend, and
some of them told me that their farm
business simply would not permit it,
then | felt as if it was the business
conditions that was the cause and not
the fact that the directors did not take
the advice Of so many good friends
who thought they could manage the
fair better than any one else.
There has been the usual amount of
criticism, the regular number Of
knockers, and the same amount of
fault finding that seems to be the year
ly portion of this association. If any
of the persons who are displeased with
the management will come to the an
nual meeting and do their talking
there and give us all the benefit of
their opinions, | feel assured that the
fair will be improved. But it is not a
square, decent and fair thing to do, to
go around after the fair is in motion,
alton Tho pofoc have nnnnoI far hue;
ness in the fall and knock and knock
everything that is done. and every
person that is connected with the fair.
This was done right here in Bookings
by citizens of the town this last year.
l am not speaking unadvisedly, but can
give names, instances and even words
if it is necessary to prove hat the
people of Brookings city as a whole
did not give the county fair the sup
port that they should have given.
With the unanimous and hearty sup
port of all the papers, and let me say
right here it was Loyalty and royalty
given; with the great influx of farmers
and farmers wives as exhibitors; with
the unsurpassed quantity and quality
of the exhibits; with the fair at their
very doors; the people of the city did
not do their duty by themselves, their
town or their county. And if any one
wants a more detailed explanation of
this matter l am at their service at
any time to back this up.
Finances In Same Condition
The financial affairs of the ~associa-
ton are in as good condition as at the
last meeting. We have not reduced
the floating debt and the same must be
refunded or renewed. We owe SO, 500. 90
and own a plant that Is worth over
$40, The directors were given
power to make a loan on the property
to carry this, but have been unable to
do so. 1t has been carried by the First
National and Bank of Brookings, the
first having $4,000 and the latter $500,
which with the sewer assessments
bring the amount to the $500 named.
We have made an arrangement
whereby this amount can be handled
by the First National Bank. They will
loan us the amount at go to be paid
on or before two years, on a note sign
ed by the individual directors of the
association. Then this meeting can
pass a resolution pledging the prop
erty by note and mortgage to the same
said directors and they can hold that
as a protection for the use of their
names on the note at the bank. If at
any time, and it is very probable, we
can make a loan at a lower rate of in
terest and take up this loan at the
bank. If this is done, let it be under
stood that those who are elected direc-
tors at this meeting are to execute the
note as named and take the mortgage
back to secure themselves. A resolu-
ton providing for the mortgaging of
the property will be necessary in
| order to validate the transaction,