The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-29
THE GREAT FREE EAR.

Promises that are based on past
performances are really the only ones
worth while.
So when the management of the
Topeka free fair that will be on the
boards here a couple of weeks hence.
announces that this years exposition
promises to eclipse in exhibits and at
fractions even the really great fair of
last year. such assertions certainly
have at least a par value.
In other words, Topeka is soon to
be the scene again of an agricultural
show that will be commensurate in
some degree with agricultural accom-
piishments and supremacy Of Kansas.
Kansas has been needing a fair of
this sort for many, many years, and
the Topeka effort that is delivering the
goods in this particular has been made
possible through the fine spirit of
pull-together that has perTaded To-
peka and Shawnee county, and also
the surrounding territory fer the past
few years.
The Topeka free fair is essentially a
community endeavor. The state helps
d
payer in it, contributing his share or
mite, assists materially. And the
foundation for the enterprise was laid
by the business men of the community
when they carried the o1d-fashioned
kind of a fair that used to be held
here year after year on their own
shoulders, and finally convinced their
fellow workers in the Topeka vineyard
that it would be to the advantage of
were provided which would equip the
fair grounds with the buildings that
the fair now in being would need.
But a free fair, of course, is not
without its hazards. Such money as
comes to the Topeka fair from state
and county funds is applied merely to
premiums, and in the latter are not
included the horse racing purses and
stakes or the prizes for the horse
shows.
These must be provided by the fair
I: { nagement, and there are other
heavy overhead charges; for policing
the grounds, for free ADJUSTMENTS, for
ell kinds of labor, and so forth that
are incident to fairs of such proper
tons
These can only be met by charges
CT admission for grand stand or other
vantage points on the grounds for
the horse-racing and horse shows and
such other amusements connected
with the fair which are added features
OF purely agricultural exposition.
The fair is a free one as to admit
lance to the main gates and this gives
everybody who enters the fair grounds
free the privilege of seeing free every
agricultural feature of the fair, live
stock, poultry, machinery and fine
arts exhibits, as well as many other
things worth viewing.
SO the patronage of these amuse-
nents must be generous and cheer
full, if it be possible that the fair
shall be a success from the financial
standpoint, and that it must be if it
is to continue. OF course, there is
always the prospect that the state
will recognize the virtue of the free
fair eventually and provide some sort
CT a revolving fund to carry it over
rainy day, figuratively as well as lit
orally speaking.
Tho the free fair is now practically
standing on its own feet it needs
the generous encouragement of every
Cne hereabouts and the friends who
may attend it from other parts to
keep these feet firmly planted until
such time, perhaps, as the state can
sec its way clear to give this fair the
help it deserves.
1t is incumbent on all of US, there
fore, to put our shoulders to the wheel
and do whatever we can to make the
coming free fair the financial success
it deserves to be.
ETNANCE Ann TRADE