The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-21
GOVERNMENT TO
TAKE FAIR GROUNDS
Lease for Eastern States
Site Runs Until July l
with Renewal Privilege
SPRINGFIELD MAY
LOSE EXPOSITION
Springfield Business Men Spent $500
600 in the Development of the Plant
Wanted as a Camp for Ordnance De
partment Of Army.

HARTFORD, Conn, Feb. 21-Leases
nave been executed by which the ord
nance department of the United States
army akes over the entire plant and
grounds of the Eastern States exposi
| ton IN Springfield, Mass The lease
runs until July ! with the privilege
OF renewal or purchase 1t is under
stood that the ordnance department
will transform it into a concentration
camp for ordnance supplies, making it
the most important army depot in
New England.
General Manager j. C. Simpson of
the exposition admitted that the lease
had been signed on the part of the ex-
position corporation, and had been
given to the war department, but said
that the government had not returned
the signed copy yet, but undoubtedly
would, as all the terms had been agreed
upon. He would not say what price was
paid by the war department for the
lease.
IT the war department exercises its
nehts Of renewal, or purchase, it will
mean calling eff the national dairy
show there in October. which is
coupled with great industrial exuosi
ton, and many other exhibitions of ma
tional note. Last year the prizes given
by the exposition in the dairy show 40.
gregated $4,000, and already plans
had been made to increase this priza
appropriation about 80 per cent for
1918. 1t will also mean calling off the
Bay State Short Ship racing meet there
on the second week in july.
The exposition grounds are located
IN West Springfield, and consist of
about 10 acres, and there is about
52u,ooV square feet of floor space in
ITS buildings. 1t is admirably adapted
Tor the purpose for which the ordnance
department will use it, as railroad sid
lng9 not only run into the grounds To
the doors Of the building, but il lies
opposite the great distributing freight
yards OF the Boston & Albany railroad.
Mr.. Simpson said it would be pre-
mature for him to say that the govern
meht would make permanent use of il
as he had no information. The leases
executed We're on regular government
forms which always carry the right of
renewal or purchase. Preparations are
beng made for the gathering Of a large
store OF supplies. so it is not likely that
the war department viii yacate on July
!. The lease runs from February Il
to July l.
what plans would be made for the
national dairy show were still in the
AR, as the whole situation has de-
Veloped too recently to allow the for |
of any new plans. 1t is Ger |
tam that no other place in the east is
large enough to accommodate it, and il |
may 60 back to Chicago, where il was
held for years, until last year Cattle |
clubs have made appropriations for if |
to thousands of dollars. and |
plans were being made for attractions
TO exceed those of last year.
The development of the plant cost
approximately 100000, in which
springfield business men invested heav.
ny, as il would bring to the city many
thousands Of people every wear. In.
less the unexpected happens, and the
war department fails to renew the
lease, they will lose on this feature of
iheir investment this year
Mt simpson was asked if there had