The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-29
Women Have Learned Through the Wo,,1an's Department Of the Fair That There is Money
 In Everything They Do We'll" Says Mrs Reid
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

TT HE Alabama State Fair has done l many fine things for the people of l \ this section of the country, but in none of it's activities has it been more successful than helping women to help | themselves"
 This has been accomplished through the able offices of Mrs. J. B. Reid, man. ager of the "woman's department" at the fair and to this capable. fine unse'- 1 fish, splendid woman is the greatest hom- age paid because of the work she has done and the opportunities she has of fered to women.
 Just look back a few years if you will and recall the 'woman's department" of it was.
 Mrs Reid began her pioneering then, and she has kept steadily at the work bringing enthusiasm and practical sense into it until she has built up a depart ment which easily stands at the head of all such things in the south. Mrs Reid has not only interested the women of Birmingham and vicinity in the woman's department at the fair, but she has enlisted the attention and interest of women all over the south, which shows that each year she Is making tremendous strides toward bigger. more complete. and more perfect department than the year before
 Mrs. Reid works like Trojan" from early in the morning until late in tho evening, and now that she has removed her 'headquarters' to the fairgrounds, the days seem to be all too short for her to do all that must be done before the opening of the big fair on October T.
 She has instituted several innovations in the woman's department of the fair this year. and is enthusiastic about the cordial and happy cooperation that she has met with
 Besides the beauty" contest and the baby show and all the exhibits, the booths and other things, Mrs. Reid has undertaken several lines of new work, which wil undoubtedly make their appeal.
 In speaking with Mrs. Reid about her work at the fair she said among other things:
 Tn working out the details of the woman's department of the Alabama State Fair we lose sight of the fact that we are building what the average visitor calls a show" We see so thoroughly that it means growth in all of the indus tries pertaining to domestic life prompt ing comfort. economy, and contentment. First, our idea was to make the home more practical to assist the women in the industrial arts that are necessary for successful housekeeping. therefore we of fered prizes for the combined work of needle art, vegetables, preserves and can ning In fact, everything that was sup posed to be done by mothers hands.
 After so much interest had been aroused in the practical" she continued, i've at once began the beautiful, and this year have instituted that phrase of the city beautiful into the rural homes, the culture of flowers and home grown plants So great has been the interest in this that we are enabled to decorate the womans department of the fair in the colors of the white sky with the native home ment to beautify even the simple homes The women have ceased to look upon the fair as a mere frolic undertaking event, but an opportunity to get patterns for their future workshop
 ''While we have only given 26 premiums
  rendered by members would lay before us the want of a friend. Let us know if there are spare records for the pho nograph. One does weary of the oft repetition" of few tunes and long for a variety. Pass them on! Active circu-