MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 447 



not favor making any change at this time for varions reasons. I do not 

 belieA^e that it is possible to organize a force of workmen who, withont 

 some experience, would be able to handle a crowd of 75,000 people who 

 usually throng our grounds on Labor Day, which, if a one-week fair was 

 held, would be the opening day. 



We must not lose sight of the fact that the Michigan State Fair is 

 carrying quite a large indebtedness at the present time, and a large num- 

 ber of the notes that are outstanding are indorsed personally by some 

 of the officers, and I, as one of the indorsers, feel that the uncertainty of 

 the weather for a short week is too great a risk. By opening on Thurs- 

 day and closing on Friday night, the fair extends over a period of nine 

 days, being closed on Sunday, and it is seldom at that time of the year 

 that we find nine davs of bad weather. We are sure to have good weather 

 at least part of the time, and in such case will not meet with losses, 

 and we are quite sure to make eno'.igh money to very nmterially reduce 

 our indebtedness. It will be remembered that Grand Rapids holds a one- 

 week fair, and only a short time ago the whole week had only one- 

 half day of pleasant v/eather. Detroit does not want to encounter any 

 such discouraging ])ropositions as that of Grand Rapids. 



It will be noticed that, although we gave very much larger purses for 

 our races this year, yet finally they did not earn us any more money than 

 when the purses were small, and unless it is deemed advisable by this 

 board to engage the services of some one to personally look after this and 

 secure the entries to our races, I would recommend smaller purses and a 

 less number of days for racing Avhich would tend to encourage the entry 

 of more horses owned in the state and very materially decrease expenses. 



Minnesota has set aside one day for automobile races. Last year they 

 gave the local automobile club a certain amount of money to take entire 

 charge of the races, paying the prizes, and it was very successful. The 

 attendance was exceptionally large and the i)lan proved very successful 

 from a financial standpoint. 



Complaint emanated from two departments at the last fair — the 

 forage and cartage. I now recommend that the forage department be 

 handled by the society, buying hay, straw and feed at wholesale, shipping 

 direct to the fair-gTOunds and placed in charge of a person whose only 

 dutv will be to weigh and deliver to exhibitors at the absolute cost to the 

 society. 



I would also recommend that some arrangements be made for cartage 

 which will result in handling the exhibits at the lowest possible price. 

 I also recommend that a resolution be passed Avhich will prevent those 

 connected with the Michigan State Fair from buying, in any way, in- 

 terests in any concession or amusement which is operated for profit. 



We were able to reduce the pass list last year under 1907, 6,508 admis- 

 sions. I believe that this can be further reduced by very careful watch- 

 ing to see that those who are not entitled to them are not given passes. 



I want to call your attention to the statement of receipts from the 

 grand stand for 1908. It will show that 12,069 availed themselves of the 

 opportunity- to go inside of the enclosure and on the bleachers, paying 

 25c for this privilege, during the six afternoons, and that 15,818 people 

 paid 50c for a seat in the grand stand, and only 120 paid 75c, and 1.104 

 ]>aid .|1 each. It is very important that 25c seems to be the popular price 



