The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-30
That Is, If Shawnee County
Votes to Pay the Premiums.
Special Election Will Be Called
on Proposition.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF new LAW
Would Mean but 25 Cents per
$1,000 of Valuation.
The Petitions for Special Elec-
tiOn Out This Week.

There will be a free gate at the
State Fair Topeka, next September,
provided the citizens of Shawnee
county vote to provide funds for the
payment of the premiums exclusive of
those connected with the horse racing
department. This decision was made
at a meeting of the board of directors
of the Kansas State Fair association
and others interested in the fair at
the Commercial club quarters at noon
today
The legislature passed bill provid-
ing that counties with a population of
$4,000 or more may vote to aid agri-
cultural fairs in the payment of
premiums by a tax of one-fourth of
one mill. This tax would bring in
$21.626 in Shawnee county which
would mean rs cents on each $1,000
of taxable property. 1t ought to ap-
peal to the average man who takes
his family to the fair and has to pay
out many times that amount of cash.
In a Single Day.
A special election will be called to
pass on the proposition. J. S. Dean
will prepare petitions and they will be
this week. 1t was proposed
by T. F. Doran that the work be done
LII SIHSle ddy ana END pre-
parations will be made Immediately
A committee of ten of which w. w.
Webb and o. F. Whitney will be mem
berS will make the arrangements for
the petitions. Loyal support
ers of the fair will be asked to assist
by providing their autos for the work,
and it is the plan to have a large num-
Der of workers. The law requires one
h<1 cieyV
a special election for the purpose in
question.
Enthusiastic Over Plan.
Those in attendance at the meeting
were enthusiastic over the plan for
the general public free of
charge to the fair which is nothing
more nor less than a great education
al institution, and it is confidently ex-
pected that the greatest fair in the
history of Topeka will be held.
1t is not probable that $4,000 will
be required for the payment of pre-
and what money is not re-
1uired will be turned back to the
from the state for the payment of
premiums provided that the fair fails
to pay out in accordance to the fair
bill passed by the Legislature.
fair has ever made" said w. w. Webb,
in speaking of the free admission
plan. "The free gate proposition will
certainly win if the people in the
want the fair"
Frank P. MacLennan stated that the
newspapers would be glad to give
space to a cause of this kind which is
Of general benefit to the community
A Great Opportunity.
Z think we have a great opportun-
ty, he said. 1T seems to me that we
IAN carry this proposition. 1 think we
can Dull off a great fair here
Samuel E. Lux, president of the as
presided at the meeting. 1t
vas Mr.. Lux who suggested the plan
hat the board is determined to push
With vigor.
Question of Secretary.
The question of a secretary for the
air was left in the hands of President
Mr.. Lux has been acting
is secretary, handling the correspond
ence for the association.
A vote of thanks was given J. S.
Dean, A. w. Smith, Charles Mitchell,
,. F. Whitney, Samuel E. Lux, I. A.
3orman, L. NJ. Penwell and others who
worked in the interest of the fair
while the legislature was in session.
Big Time on Kansas Avenue.
Charles Mitchell proposed that one
night of fair week be an off night as
far as attractions on the grounds are
and that the center of at
traction be removed to Kansas avenue,
where the stores would be open and
the theaters running. He suggested
having band music on the avenue and
a festive occasion generally. This
would give the visitors an opportunity
to shop if they cared to do so.
The committee that will arrange for
the circulation of petitions for a spe-
cial election will meet at the CONNER
cial club quarters Wednesday noon.