Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-04

GILBERT s. RAYMOND,
 Secretary County Agricultural Society <! There may have been fairer days in June than the first fair day of the 63d annual fair of the New London County Agricultural society, but If so it has passed beyond mortal memory in the
 brief intervening period. Monday was sure fair day in Sept tember, and 1 fair was of the highest standard. which I is applicable to all the details that go to make up complete a9d success fully maraged agricultural fair. and it's to bring these annual events up to the highest rlane of modernization in that particular line. In marke1 l comparison Is the big event now in progress with the initial faif held on the East Great Plain Al years ago. The fair officials placed the Labor day attendance at 11,0o0..
 Chased Among the Best.
 This first fafl in Norwich had an infinitesima1 attendance in comparison
 thousand on tn. opening day. Then :he fair was an exhibition. of fruits,
 vegetables and needlework, and just a few preserves, with cake and bread on
 the side. There was no cattle exhibit.
 no midway, no vaudeville. no horse
 racing, no balloon ascension no poul-
 try exhibit, and not even tight rope
 walk. For this was before the days
 when the fellow walked the tight rope.
 or cable, before the time of the slack
 wire. He used to walk on the cable
 with a small stove on his back. carry
 iong balance pole, ana sit on the cable
 and go through the antics of cooking and eating a meal. That was consid-
 cred a. great act, even at fairs of a later period. But all this, like all other things that were remarkable, or con- sidered so, have passed on to make way for those that are modern, more attractive, more inte ting, and bor- dering cn the real da44ng. The Nor w1ch fair has undergone remarkable evolution, and today it is classed with the very best in New England. The management each year endeavors to make the fair bigger and better than ever, and with success. For years this fair was run along strictly agricultural lines, but now it has become a real fair, replete in all it's details, and in terests people in all walks of life with in and without the county. This was made plain in Mondays attendance, when probably every city and town in New London county and Washington county in Rhode Island was represent ed. Although it was the first day, long before noon the fair was in full opera tion. Midway was in swing. herds of engines Of the farm implements were pufing, and the big event was on it's 63d trip.
 It was 3 big assemblage, sort of reunion of friends who had not met since tho last fair, and renewed ac- quatntance, and everybody seemed in good humor. It is seldom that so many people get together. on such an occa- sion without some little disturbance to mar the event, but there was none of that at the Norwich fair ground Mon- day. Everybody seemed to be happy to be thoroughly satisfied with the en- tertainment prepared by the efficierH mana cement, and with real justifica-
 Majcr Hull Addressed Crowd.
 In the afternoon, before the start of the races, and when the grandstand and bleachers were filled to overflow ing, the overflow finding sitting places on the grass between the stands and the race course fence, the immense crowd was treated to an oratorical feature that was not on the program Major Hadlai A: Hull of New London made a strong and interesting address on the war situation. under the au- spices of the Connecticut state council of defense. He was introduced by Herbert R: Branche. secretary of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce. in the absence of Mayor Allyn l.. Brown. chairman of the local town committee of the state defense council. MT Branche arranged for the address. and also for another like event this Tuesday, af- James Hammond of Waterford. Be- fore and after Major HuIPs address which was loudly applauded, several selections were rendered by Tubbs' balance of the afternoon until the fair closed for the day with a balloon as- when at a grea. height the 1 aeronaut parachuted to terra firna | and without the slightest tinge of ac- cident. 1
 Traffic Kept Moving.
 The transportation facilities to the fair, while adequate with a gradual l patronage, naturally became made 1 1uate when the great throng wanted to i The trolley service was all that could 1 De expected under the circumstances | but of course there is limit to public l The line was well l oatronized and public service cars and | buses were in the game for what there ] was in it, and they did a good busi- | 1ess. The trolley fare to the fair | grounds is five cents, while the buses | ,harged 15 and the public service cars .5 cents. So it was the case with the 1 people O. taking choice and paying the 1 price, While there was great mount Of traffic, the good work of the traf1c officers prevented congestion, Lnd so far as known there were no 'ehicula- accidents. In fact, the only accidents of the day were on the race rack and were not of serious. nature Frank Smith of Norwich. while warm ng up Todress for the 2.16 pacing race. an into a bicycle, and the harness vas broken, which required some
 ustling to repair before the race was l alled. The other accident was in the Lrst heat of the 2.24 trot, when Jesse ]. Carr of Westerly. driving MAxie