The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-09
TO PERFECT
AN. ALIB|.
For Failure In Management
Of State Fair
Plans Are Being Laid By
President Begg
Willis Representative On The
Agricultural Board
Institute Lecturers Are Being
Stuffed With Straw
TO Fool Farmer Who Did Not
Get A Pass
Institute Lecturers Are Being
Stuffed With Straw
To Fool Farmer Who Did Not
Get A Pass

Columbus, O., Nov. 6-Plans are
being laid by John Begg, president Of
the Ohio state board Of agriculture,
to perfect an alibi for the failure of
the new Willis board in the manage
ment Of the recent state fair. Mr..
Begg Is acting for Governor Willis in
the matter because he is the recog-
nized Willis representative Of the
board, and because of his past con-
nection with farmer institute work.
The alibi is to be made at farmer in
stitutes which begin this month and
the explanation is to be offered that
the "decentralized" commission is re-
sponsible for the growing deficit. This
is untrue. The old commission gave
q successful state fair within an ap-
preparation Of $4,000 and made a
profit of $4,000. It's contracts for
this year had been made on the same
basis. But when Renick Dunlap and
the new board came in they began
building political machinery in deal
to further personal ends and wasted
money right and left. Bands were
hired for music which figured $12 per
hour per man. Billboards were used
extravagantly. Disinfectant for the
grounds cost $3.50, where in previous
years it cost $12. Upwards of $4,000
free passes were issued discriminate
ly to political workers. Friends were
put on the pay roll. Personal boost
ers for the fair on Columbus newspa-
pers told how successful the thing
was while in operation and for this
they got $250-but the truth came out
and is still coming.
At first it was seen the fair quit
$4,000 In the hole, that meant 10000
passes. Then an appeal was made to
the emergency board to make up the
deficit. Secretary Dunlap made a
blanket report which was rejected,
and former Secretary Fleming was
asked to make report In detail.
This report has just been completed.
It is a revelation of mismanagement
which is worse than graft, and 1t is
no proof that somebody has not got
ten something for nothing. 1t shows
that four agricultural papers have re-
ceived large subsidies, and 1t shows
that Secretary Dunlap issued orders
for expenditures after the board had
deposed him for gross mismanage-
ment. More than all else. it shows
that the excess over appropriations is
nearly $4,000, which with loss of
profit Of $4,000, makes the total def
cit about $4,000. This would mean
100000 passes-did you get yours?
Institute instructors are being stuff
fed with straw to fool the farmer
who did not get pass, and who has
been fooled so long already. So the
farmer ought to be ready for him.
Ask him how many passes were is
sued. Ask him how the attendance
was larger and the receipts less. Ask
why the same things that made up
the fair in years previous cost in all
instances more this year, and in
many instances ten and twenty times
as much. Ask why Secretary Dun.
lap was deposed from fair manage.
ment. Ask If he explained about
changed figures on privilege bid
Ask If he has done single worthy
or efficient action since in Office. ASK
il it is not a fact that he is holding
his job even now without doing a
single thing, in a deal with John
Begg, president of the board, by
which the worthy Mr.. Begg is to be
made next state grange master in an
overthrow of L. G. Taber. Ask IL II
did not cost the state of Ohio $500
that ten members Of the board migh
enjoy . nsh dinner at Akron locating