Evening journal., 1919-02-06
FAIR PROMOTERS
SHAPE 1920 WORK
Begin Sss ion With Largest
Attendance in History
of Organization
DELAWARE ASSO.
is REPRESENTED

The seventh annual meeting OF the
Pennsylvania State Association OF
County Fairs for the Eastern District
opened In Philadelphia yesterday with
the largest attendance In It's history
Twenty-one fair associations were rep
resented, including the Delaware State
Fair Association. Joseph Davidson was
the representative. In the absence OF
Hal White, OF Indiana. Pa. president OF
the association, Walter Buekman, Of
Philadelphia, and Abner 5. Deysher, OF
Reading. vice-president, presided at the
sessions.
Edward Leatherman welcomed the
stewards TO the city. and asked for col
operation among the fair associations
% maze Il the best season ever known.
He also said that with a united effort
they can take their needs 10 the State
Legislature and secure the needed legls-
lation.
William II. Grocher, secretary Of the
National Trotting Association, OF Hart
ford, Conn, stated that the prospects
FOR a greater seasons horse racing were
never brighter While the majority OF
his work has been on the Grand Circuit
and with the mlle-track meets, ne stated
mat he considered the fair association
races the backbone OF the light-harness-
horse snort and that there would be
few Grand Circult races II 10 were not
for the successful fair race meets, the
combination OF the two maklns the
sport the strong factor It Is today In the
world Of sport
DR.. T J. Clemens spoke OF the sue
cess OF interesting the school children
IN the raising OF poultry for exhibition
purposes. and predicted a great growth
In the poultry Industry this year, with
increased exhibits at all fairs.
The subject Of tsxat'On OF county fair
grounds occupied considerable time. snd
& legislative committee CONSISTING OF Hal
White. " Indians: and y. ]. McDermot,
OF Reading was appointed to take mp
the question of exemption OF county
lair grounds from taxation with the su-
thorities at Harrisburg. II was stated
that the assessment Of the Allentown
Fair Grounds this year would be raised.
and al the figures proposed the taxes
will be Jumped TO $4,000. The present
assessment on the grounds Is s2s00O0.
Representatives to q number OF small
fair associations reported inst their
Laxes were a grest burden. While the
State gives an appropriation 70 each
county fair, 70 appears that, with the
present taxstion, 10 Is Ike swing one
help and Immediately taking Il from
h'm. Secretary Seldomridse advised the
fair manasers 10 see their respective
representatives In the State Legislature
In regard 10 the tax exemption bill, as a
united EFFORT will be msde 10 set some
relief from the present law. As there
was not enough money 10 go around
last year the State only paid the fair
association so per cent OF their de-
mands for State aid.
A rising vote OF thanks 10 Auditor
General Snyder and state Treasurer
Kephart for their promptness in pay
Ing the fair association claims OF 1918
was eiven, as these offlcials eliminated
the 'hold up" in the payments OF for
mer years.
The Pennsylvania Association OF
County Fairs now has a membership
OF 40 fairs. and while some dates VIII
be CHANGED the majority VIII claim
their old dates The Kutzt0wn fair ana
races will be held the week OF August
is. which will open the fair season In
eastern Pennsylvsnla. Lebanon VIII
follow with the week OF Aurist p. The
Philsdelnhia County Fair will open on
Lsbnr 0av September /. Nazareth VIII
likely follow with the second week in
September. Readnv has been racing on
the dates formerly had by Allentown.
0wine 10 the War Department using
the latter grounds as a training camp.
no fairs have been held there during
the last two years Allentown VIII be
back aeain this year. and as they have
claimed their old dates the week OF
sentemher %, the Reading fair and
races viii he held week earlier than
usual. the week NJ September Is.
The Lancaster fair will omen the last
day OF sentemher. 10 continue four
dsvs. Ia he Followed by York The nrst
full week in October. after whirh the
horses will move south to Haserstown
and Frederick, Md. Last yesr. owing
"a the outbreak Of the innuen7s. no
fairs were permitted sfter the Iancas-
ter meet. Nearby fairs IN sd'oin'nS
States who had representatives At the
mAetinS were WilminRton. which will
hold A fair ana races. % 0pen on Labor
nav. Mount Holly will conflict with
Nazareth. and Trenton. n. j., with Lam
caster.
A nomination committee. consisting
OF w. K Sinner. ]. ". Gron'nver and z.
A. Leathe-msn, WAS annointed 10 nomi-
nate officers and directors for the year.