50 



The irrepularity of the attendance, and the points to which the crowds 

 came for admission, required the greatest care and watchfulness. Men must 

 be iuHtantIv moved from j^ates not much used to others where the crowds 

 throne- Busy >;ates must be closed at no time, and relief must be at hand in 

 emersfencies. 



The establishment of headcjuarters in the dome building?, where the chief 

 should be almost constantly on hand to direct and control, is quite essential. 

 This oflBce is also the headquarters of patemen not on duty, whose presence 

 is very desirable in case extra men are called for at some unexpected moment, 

 and it is recommended that a lari^e room be provided. 



The necessity for communication between the oflBce and the southeast, 

 southwest and main entrances is so urgent that 1 recommend the rental of a 

 telephone line for the few days of the fair. 



The pressure at the railroad prates for exit from 4:00 to 6:00 p. m. is so 

 very jjreat that relief should be given. The crowds can be received, but the 

 jam when they leave should be relieved by demanding more trains and longer 

 ones It is not safe to allow more to pass out to the platforms to each train 

 than the train can take. Members of the board cannot understand the situa- 

 tion there unless they have been on hand at the leaving hours. The rush 

 this year was greater than ever before, because the attendance was larger. 



The sleeping accommodations at the custodian's residence are not sufficient. 

 Some of the men could not be accommodated. 



The lights at the main gate are very poor. An arc lamp should be placed 

 where its rays will fall strongly on the gateman on duty all night so he can 

 see to read the tickets presented and better guard the entrance. 



It is desirable that the signature of one officer only appear on all passes 

 and special tickets, orders, etc., as the gatemen do not know the officers nor 

 their signatures. The gatemen had orders this year to honor all credentials 

 to which the name of superintendent of tickets was appended, and refer all 

 others to the inspector or superintendent. 



The clearing of the grounds in the morning is a very arduous task. This 

 duty should devolve upon the police department, assisted by a detail of gate- 

 men and not as now, with the gatemen in the lead and the police simply as 

 attendants. A dnfinite detail of Chicago police should do the same round 

 each morning. It was the police department's duty to rout out sleepy exhib- 

 itors and privilege men, and not the gatemeu's. The former can withstand the 

 abu«e better than the latter. The examination of the ticket boxes each night 

 is a heavy task, but this duty, like all others assigned our men, was cheerfully 

 done. Tbe intense interest with which all watched, as their respective boxes 

 were examined, was worth all the trouble. Every wrong ticket was noted 

 and carefully saved as an object lesson for the next day's profit. 



A more willing, obedient, painstaking and honest set of men were never 

 assembled than the thirty five men in charge of the gates this year. I can 

 not speak too highly of them. I verily believe they made hundreds of dol- 

 lars for the association by their unusual care in admitting none who had no 

 right to admission Should the attendance be as large next year, the force 

 should be increased. The best men of the force were often compelled to do 

 double duty. 



The courtesy of all the members and officers of the board, by which every 

 attempt to enforce stringent rules was greatly encouraged and assisted, is 

 highly appreciated by your superintendent and all his assistants. This cour- 

 tesy and hearty co operation was the cause of frequent remark among all the 

 gate force. I desire to extend my sincere thanks for this very important aid 

 in the fulfillment of the duties of one of the most important departments of 

 the State Fair. It matters not how well everything in all other departments 

 is planned and executed, nor how large an attendence of visitors there may 

 be, if the gates are carelessly kept the fair may well be made a failure. 



Again thanking you, gentlemen, I remain your obedient servant, 



C. A. Tatman, 

 Superintendent of Gates. 



