Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-02-04
DECORAHlANS GET.
NICE COMPLIMENT
Writer In the Harness Horse As
sociation Bulletin. Tells About
Work OF e. j. Curtin In
Making Our Fair Sue. y
cess
VETERAN DRIVER GRATTAN
Is NOT FORGOTTEN
Says Curtin Has Done Much for the
Harness Horse Racing in Ann
erica

Decorah, Special-Your Correspon-
dent had two objects in going to De-
corah, First, to see how the big CHIEF
of the Harness Horse Association
practiced what he preached; second
to see first-hand workings of the
added money plan. If the question
was asked what individual has done
the most for the sport of harness
horse racing in America, a large
number at least would say at once
e. j. Curtin, of Decorah. AS a direct
or Of the American Trotting Assoc
iation and the American Trotting
Register Association; as superintend-
ent of speed and director of the Iowa
State fair; as president of the West
ern Breeders Association; president
of the Great Western Circuit; lastly
as president of the Harness Horse
Association, his voice, council and
influence in the affairs of the AM
erican trotting turf have been in
calcuable.
Almost everyone admits that the
Iowa State fair speed department is
the best conducted and the most
liberal In America, but your corre
spondent was curious to note If Mr..
Curtin practiced what he preached
when it came to the little county
fair at his own home town, where he
is admitted to be the absolute boss.
and was not disappointed. The
elder Curtin. who picked out this
srot back in 1855, opened up livery
stable and got together the first
eampaigners, selected one of the
1rost beautiful spots in the entire
middle west. the track nesting at the
foot Of the Clay ridge. and bordered
by the rippling Iowa tributary
which is almost lost in dense foliage
While nominally secretary, Mr.. Cur
tin has, 1t will at once be noticed.
adopted Carnegie's first precept:
Never do anything yourself you can
get someone else to do for you."
hence l found r. E. Bucknell the act
ing and active secretary, with G. F.
Paker presiding with as much digni-
ty as he could riding on track
drag: Vice-president Ben Bear giving
the glad hand, and Mayor Buckncll
p,onuuncing the benediction on all.
The first contrast from the average
county fair was the neatly printed
score card with the names of the
horses given correctly, with their
color. sex, breeding, owner and driver
complete, and this meant correct and
legibie numbers snd colors when the
Eorses came on the track. All this
was explained when l noted that the
official programmer was D. c. For
man, of Bradford, Pa. Don't charge
Red" anything for this advertise
ment. He and others in his class are
entitled to It. The starting Judge was
Magnus Flaws. OF Chicago. whose
work was, not sarduous, as the fields
were small. Races conducted under
A. T. A. rules" Entrance fees added
to purses and no deductions, ac-
e0rding to the rulF's
Horse Association"
These two paragraphs topped the
card. and just want to call atten-
tion to how 1t worked here. Last year
the speed program in liberal hand.
ling under the old fve-and-flve plan
cost the association $500. This year
rix purses with 5000 added in each
was advertised, the association CIV
ing Just double that OF year ago.
In the first race the purse totaled
$3.50, which gave the winner. Tell
Sir. sl40, Peter Medium. $40. less
s13 entrance. $50 net for second:
Adair got $42 for third money. which
Is better than third money in $500
purse, while Vera Eden got $2S for
being fourth. or nearly equal to third
moav in $500 purse. II Is indeed
a confirmed bigot to the old order OF
things that cannot see the advantage.
and as l.. l.. Caldwell. treasurer at
uecorah. says: 1T certainly has one
advantage to us. we know before the
fair opens just what our speed de-
rartment viii cost U.S.
Mr.. Curtin is very earnest and en-
thusiastic in regard to the objects
and accomplishments OF the Harness
Horse Association. 1T Is" said ne
'sindeed remarkable that nearly 9oO
hoTsemen have come forward and
yoluutSr4Iy enrolled under the ban
rer 81 sane and equitable methods ~
farness horse racing. and Judging by
the list. the thinking men Of the