The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-14

that the West Virginia State Fair IL
public Institution In every respect eN-
cept IN the burden OF financing II. when
falls on private enterprise. with the
exception OF the limited aid we receiFeu
last year from the state. The Stock
holders of the association those whose
money made possible the creation and
perpe,uation OF the State Fair, have
written into THAR bylaws and ceru-
fed to tho state and United States gov
ernments that no dividends shall DO
paid TO stockholders OF the association.
but that all profits from operation or
It's plant shall be devoted to building
up and improving the fair, making IL u
great education agricultural and CIVIC
institution This important step. which
elevated Wheellng's fair 10 plane with
.he state fairs OF other commentaries
has been taken since the new manage
ment assumed charge in 1915. II Is one
OF the things OF which we are proud
and the one thing, above all others
that gives US the right to come before
Won and before every citizen and ask
for hearty and unqualified support or
the fair. Furthermore, none or the
directors nor officers OF the fair. except
the secretary and assistant secretary
who devote all their time TO II. receive
any compensation whatever for the
time. thought and effort they give 10
It's affairs. So. when you patronize the
fair and boost II. you are not putting
one cent into any individuals POCKET
you are merely contributing your mite
70 the progress OF your state and city
Great rmprov cement
When the West Virginia State FAIR
grounds were taken over in the spring
Of 1915 by the new mana cement, they
Ao
today. Abandonment OF the fair had
been contemplated for some time by Its
former managers, consequently the
plant was not kept up as II would other
wise have been. II would be impos-
shle to enumerate all that has been
done to improve the plant but l ma%
state that In the seven years no less
than 500. 900 has been spent In repair
ing and improving the buildings and
grounds. Where once the 6. ounds would
be a sea OF mud In event Of rain, theN
have been covered with thousands OF
loads Of cinders, holes have been filled
In. new sewers laid. and many other
improvements made that are not seen
by the casual observer, but which have
added greatly to the valne Of the plant.
We put up an elegant new froIt fence
and entrances that are considered
among the finest IN the country. and laid
the paving In front OF II. We have re-
inrorced and improved the grand stand.
dance pavilion and other buildings at
total cost running to thousands. In
addition to these improvements and re-
pairs we have added considerable 10
our assets. First We purchased the old
ball park property. In 1917 We erected
the swimming pool at cost OF SbO.OOV.
This year We purchased four additional
lots and two houses on South Penn
street.
Most Ambitious Program
Our most ambitious program ot I'M
provement was undertaken this year.
We have laid $1,000 worth OF new sew
ers. grr ded the infield. raised our live
stock barns and moved them back on tho
newly acquired ground and terraced up
TO them, moved and remodeled the two
houses. arranged roadway back OF
the barns. and put up new steel fence
along South Penn street. We now
have under way the laying OF the street
car tracks so that our cars may load and
unload within the grounds. and altera-
lions to the grand stand entrances that
will greatly facilitate the handling &C
big crowds The huge sum OF 1888
cubic yards OF dirt was removed from
the lnfleld and used for filling in and
terraclnC up TO the live stock barns.
The cost OF these improvements. aside
from the real estate purchased. VIII
be between $4,000 and 100000.
All OF these things and many more
we have done without outside help. At
the same time we have been putting
on an annual fair that ranks among the
best. and Is very year growing better.
Last year the state OF West Virginia
recognized the value Of our efforts in
promoting better production In the
state. and gave us about $1,000 to aid
in paying premiums. We expect some
assistance from this source this year
again, and on the strength OF Il we are
offering $4,000 in premiums. by far the
largest amount ever offered in West
Virginia for this purpose. The state
also helps Js. rs does the United States
government, BY granting US exemption
from certain taxes as an educational
The city OF Wheeling alone and county
of Ohio. although they are the greatest
beneficiarles OF the fair. exact full trih-
ute from us In the form Of taxes. which
II an inJunstice that should be cor
rected.
what Is Needed
] have been boosting, now I am going
70 knock Even n knock has It's value
II used at the right time and place.
particularly II It Is n knock on tho
head to wake US up to the need OF doing
something That Is the kind OF knork
am going TO deliver now. While the
West Virginia State Fair itself Is one
OF the best, the West Virginia State Fair