Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-14

The price of admission to the county
fair may be increased from IS to so
cents. This question. and the need Of
purchasing agent for the fair assoc
citation were discussed, but action was
postponed, and division superinten-
dents for the next fair were selected at
a meeting of the executive committee
held Monday Action on the proposed
increase OF admission, and the employ
ment Of q purchasing agent, were left
until Jan. 10, to which date the COM
mittee adjourned.
Twelve of the twenty superinten-
dents of divisions of the exhibits were
reappointed. Those named were:
Horses-J. B. Classen.
Cattle-H. c. Goecke.
Swine and sheep-D. S. Collins.
Speed-Ed T. Austin,
Poultry-John E. Moehrl.
Grain-Merritt Greene.
Machinery-E. S. Ketchum.
Fruits-T. P. Low.
Pantry stores-Mrs. Leroy Thomp
son.
Textile fabrics-Mrs. NJ. S. McFar-
land.
Art-Mrs. r. w. McCreery.
Educa Palmer.
Children's work-Mrs. Lottie r. I'M
Ter. Gilman.
Gates and poliee-George Gregory.
Amusements-Ed T. Austin.
T:c!!sc::ss-C. G. ST Clair.
Concessions-W. NJ. Clark.
Chief marshal-H. F. Smith.
Track marshall. l.. Clay.
Committee Favors Increase.
A majority of the committee favors
increasing the admission charge from
IS to so cents. 1t realizes that in or
der to keep on improving the grounds,
and adding buildings that are needed,
the source of revenue must be in
creased. The most certain way seems
to be to increase the admission charge
at the gate. It Is opinion Of the COM
mittee that the falling off in attend
ance the first year because Of the in
crease would not exceed 10 per cent.
The higher admission charge would
overcome this loss and return $4,000
more gate receipts than would So
cent charge.
Weather Is Factor.
In this question Of admission charge
the weather is an important factor. It
is recognized that If the association
were always favored with fair weather
1t is probable that 35-cent charge
would meet the growing needs Of the
association. But for three years now
rain has cut the attendance and re-
ceipts.
The result has been that the associa-
ton has not been quite able to pay for
all the improvements made each year
from the receipts, in addition to the
operating expense. 1t is believed both
these expenses could be met If the adj
mission were increased to 50 CENTS,
Secretary W. M. Clark says some en-
largements must be made before am
other fair Is held. One of the most
badly needed is so per cent enlarge.
ment Of the agricultural hall. It has
become altogether too small.
Wait For Information.
The committee decided to wait UNI
til, the January meeting, at which time
Secretary Clark will have information
gathered from other fairs to show
what has been the experience Of other
associations when they increased their
admission charge from IS to SO cents.
The statistics compiled by the state
AGRICULTURAL society show that already
there are twenty-five county and dis
trict fairs that charge so cents, fifty
Ave that charge 35 cents. one that
charges 40 cents and four that charge
rs cents.
Want Central Purchasing Office. n
Because Of confusion that has re-
suited from more than one person
buying supplies for the county fair,
and because Of a variety of prices that
are charged the association for the
same merchandise the executive COM
smittee will probably employ some one
to buy all supplies for the fair. II this
Is done it is quite probable that most
Of the merchandise and supplies will be
bought ON contract. Such contracts
will probably be awarded on bids In
advance Of the opening Of the fair.