Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-16
Prominent Ottumwan Says
Proposed Fair Should
Be Organized Here
F. w. SIMMONS CITES
REASONS FOR VIEWS
Things to Be Accomplished
BY Exposition Make It
Worth Supporting

r. w. Simmons active In movements
for the advancement of the city and
community, is one Of the Ottumwans
who looks with favor upon the pro-
posed fair and exposition planned to
be started here to serve the interests
of all southern Iowa and northern
Missouri. His familiarity with the
various enterprises that have from
time to time been promnted for the
betterment of the community, make
him competent to judge the merits OF
the project being considered here.
Mr.. Simmons favors the project and
will be willing to lend his aid to ad-
vance the fair when it is launched. He
recalls clearly the history Of the old
county fair and having been interested
in the old Wapello county agricultural
society knows what it accomplished
during it's existence and also stated
that 1t was paying proposition when
lit ceased operations.
"The old county fair was a success
and accomplished its purpose during
it's existence, but the day for 1t has
passed" said he. What we want now
Is a fair that will be big enough to
serve the interests of larger terri
tory and should include all of south
financing of such project is the only
matter that am worried about, but |
cannot say that really am worried
about it, for If the thing is launched
and the people realize that 1t will be OF
great value to the community, there Is
Ino doubt that the financing can be
easily arranged. An instance Of what
can be done to promote the welfare
or Ottumwa when the people really
get to know that the project in hand
is really benefit, was best demon
strated in the new hotel matter. What
was done in that instance, might be
repeated in any other good PROPOSE
ton that means much for the COM
munity. The people when once
awakened will respond, but they must
be made to see that the project has
merit.
"As to the merit Of such project
as the proposed fair, it is easy to see
what can be accomplished. The re-
vivification of the fraternal spirit
among our people in itself, Is an in
centive to go ahead with it. When
the people have mutual interest in
the community and willingness to
work together for public improve
ment OF almost any character great
things can be accomplished.
''In this instance, fair would pro-
mote competition and that is a factor
that tends to improve for competition
between the agricultural men, their
soil products, live stock, etc, means
an improved quality and a great guam
tity Of these things to be raised in the
community.
"Then too, it would mean a big
week here for the retail stores and
bring big crowds to Ottumwa that
would help business greatly. The old
county fairs did this to degree but
were limited to the county. The
change of conditions, the chautauqua
habit formed in many communities
and the making Of the fairs Of one
sided project by sighting certain de-
partments of the general fair, other
features caused many OF the county
fairs to go out of existence. But with
a district fair that will take in large
territory and serve to encourage COM
petition ii various lines, as well as
make an occasion for people to get
together and know each other better,
improve business and advertise a
community; such a fair should be real
ly big thing and worth while