The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-09-18

can recall a complaint from the public
that the trees or bushes had not beeit
cut and interferred with the view of
the back stretch, or perhaps more ex-
actly, the turn near the quarter pole.
In other parts of the grounds there
were birch trees, somewhat ornamen-
tai no doubt, but in the way, both as
to view and in other particulars. Can
recall plainly enough when Davis Mil
Ter, either as secretary or president,
made a vow that he would clean out
the last bush and the last tree, roots
and all, before he went out of Office,
and | guess he did.
There have been hosts of people,
many of them now gone to their re-
ward, that have given generously of
their time and means. to build up this
big show. Some day, perhaps, l will
get time to dig into the matter and do
them the justice to recall their names
and something of their achievements.
For the present, these Old-timers must
rest content in the thought that virtue
is its own reward.
AS this year of 1924 passes into his
tory, we ought to give some slight
recognition to the people who labored
increasingly for the success of the fair
just closed. We have had a whole lot
to say about George Plummer before
and it won't do to travel that ground
over again. Perhaps it isn't that
George is so much more willing h a
others but he has followed this game
now until he is an expert in the best
sense of the word. 1t is not probable
that his equal could be found as to
fair management in any other town
or city in New England. The fair
business and people we get with it is
a world quite apart by itself. All
these folks gather, we hardly know
from where. and then fold their
tents like the Arabs and as silently
steal away" A man without know
ledge would spend weeks and months
finding how to get into touch with
them. George knows all these folks
personally; knows where they come
from and where they go to and what
they are doing the rest of the year.
Furthermore, they have confidence in
him and will accept his recommended
ton to come here or go anywhere
else with entire confidence. All this
is a trade by itself and George has
added. aside from an actual bent for
such things, years of service rich in
experience. No doubt he gets some
fun out of it and it might be a slight
recompense If the rest of us could es-
press our appreciation personally
once in a while.
The past year the fair had the bene-
fit of Walter Ordway's energy and
business ability. Walter would not
pretend to know the game as George
does or to have devoted as much time
to it but he did bring to the thing a
grand lot of general experience and
worldly wisdom which counted for
very much indeed. He and George
made a great team and the public
owes much to them both.
The ticket department, a most i'm
p%ortant one, vas in charge this year
of Carl Curtis. Anyone at all con-
versant could not fail to observe that
it was handled in a very systematic
and efficient manner More than
human wisdom is required to meet
and settle all the manifold details
which come up as to admissions. How
ever advance planning is perhaps the
secret of success and Carl did a won
derful stunt as to this. In express
ing gratitude to him we ought to re-
member, though we cannot call then
by name, a host of other people, who.
without remuneration, came to his as
sistance as ticket sellers, ticket TAX
ers and in various other capacities
In these positions they rendered in
valuable aid to Mr.. Curtis and to the
society without which the great show
could hardly be conducted. Then, OF
course. there were the superintend-
ents of various departments and the
committees which served under them;
hundreds Of public spirited people
whose sacrifices will be in part only
understood and appreciated.
No show of this kind lives up to its
possibilities or realizes in full its
ideals but after making this admis-
sion we know that it is very much
worth while. If one could have
heard the talk made by w. G. Hunton
of Portland as he was Judging the
beef breeds, heard him explain why
one animal o: type was preferable to
another, the idea of the fair could be
fully grasped. 1t is a place where
one, so minded. al get information
of the highest value in animal hus-
bandry. household arts and many 9TH
err important undertakings.
Let's each ask ourselves what we
did for the big show. For most of
us, this question. when answered,
would be apt to make us a little
ashamed when we think how much
was done by others. And then let's re-
member 10Y is the date to commence
work for the Somerset Central Fair
of 1925.
The above comment is not difficult
except that it leaves many depart
ments in which splendid work was
done wholly without mention. Should
we attempt to make good this defect
we would hardly know where to draw
the line, as there were hundreds of
people concerned to some extent in
the success of this years fair.
| am certain. however, that no one
will find fault IL we mention the poul-
try department. In fact, those who
know about it would have reason to
demur if there was no comment
thereon. Previous poultry shows
have aggregated perhaps three hun
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