Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-07-18
KEEP rAE FLAGS FLYING

0Oiu0 4OnVAhSih6 h9uA % o1A 02SyAS
lent advice have been received by
Secretary A. r. Corey Of the Iowa
State Fair from the various managers
of the big agricultural fairs and stock
shows In Canada. The sum and sub
stance Of II all Is that now, of all
times, when the country is putting
forth special efforts to increase and
conserve food production, the agri-
cultural fair has distinct part to
play and will be needed as never be-
fore. Every unprejudiced person who
has given the matter sober thought
appreciates the influence of fairs and
the part they have to do in connec-
ton with farming and stock growing.
In the fall of 1914, following the
outbreak of war in Europe, business
Of all kinds came almost to a stand
still in Canada and great depression
ensued. The people were completely
upset mentally, and for time seemed
to lose control of the economic ma
chine. All lines Of enterprise SUI
fered alike, fairs with the rest In
terest waned, the attendance slumped
and everybody Settled down in the
general slough of despond to soak
and to suffer
However reaction was inevitable,
and it came, fortunately for all con-
cerned, at an early date. The Cana
dams took stock of themselves, their
needs and their prospects. Common
hope to win the war by slumping to
the depths of despair and allowing
business to go to the dogs. Long be-
fore another year had passed the
wheels Of industry were turning as
usual and have continued to turn ever
since
From all the Canadian fairs comes
the same story, story Of general re-
vival Of interest on the part of the
! public, increased attendance, wider
classifications and more premium
money offered. Canada, like our own
state, Is devoted largely to agricul-
ture and stock raising, and fairs are
an essential part of the industry. The
advice of DR.. Orr, general manager OF
! the Canadian National Exhibition at
! Toronto is: Keep your flags flying
and your gates open. Stimulate pro-
duction by emphasizing the necessity
of keeping productive enterprises OF
all kinds running at top speed" Man
ayers Of other big fairs at Regina
Vancouver, Calgary and other points
offer the same earnest counsel in re-
gard to fairs and business in general
II the nation wants to get properly
disappointed in the final issue of the
war the sure way to do 1t Is to knock
off work, curtail business in all d.
rections, lock the multitudinous doors
of industry and proceed to indulge in
self-pity and commiseration. War is
all that a certain combative gentle
man declared it to be, but it would
be hell boiled down and intensified q
million fold IL defeat were added tC
the rest of 1t.
| Uncle Samuel is going to send ar
army across to the firing line. Re-
quirements in the way of food, cloth
ing, arms, ammunition, etc, will be
many. Most of all the fighters must
have the assurance that everybody
back home is working overtime tC
provide the sinews of war The con
seriousness that the people are united
and optimistic concerning the outcome
and ready to back them till hell Is
turned into a cold storage plant will
put sand in their gizzards and punch
into their blows.
So down with the calamity bowler
Swat him every time he allows the
bile in his system to escape in noxi
Gus verbal outpourings. He is pest
and it Is the open season for his kline
until Prussianism Is wiped from the
face OF the earth. The country's
working motto will be more business
better business and bigger business
than ever before that the cause o.
freedom and democracy may be spread
and established in every nook ant
corner of the earth.