MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 209 



EXEMPTION FROM WAR TAX. 



In February last, the Committee >ull Taxation changed their ruling 

 somewhat on that question. While no tax is made on admissions to the 

 grounds or grand stand, a tax is made on admissions to all shows. As 

 a member of the Committee of the National Association on Federal Legis- 

 lation, I have been trying to get the old ruling restored, but up to this 

 time I have not met with success. In 1918, if an automobile race meet 

 was held on our grounds other than at Fair time, there was no tax 

 collected. Under the present ruling of the Tax Committee we would 

 now be obliged to pay a tax on such meets; also upon all shows upon 

 our grounds during the Fair. This is a matter that will have to be taken 

 up again this year. 



APPROPRIATION. 



Since our last annual meeting we took up with the Legislature the 

 subject of an increased appropriation for Michigan fairs. We asked 

 for an annual appropriation of |100,000.00 for the next two years, which 

 amount was cut to |75,000.00 being 50 per cent more per year than we 

 formerly received. The amount apportioned the Michigan State Fair 

 this year was |24,000.00 — $8,000.00 more than we received last year. 

 The amount apportioned the other fairs about the state was 60 per cent 

 of the amount paid by them in premiums in 1918. The increase in pre- 

 miums paid by our Society this year over 1918 was upwards of |9,000.00, 

 while we received an additional |8,000.00 over our former appropriation. 

 This was not so largely the result of an increase in premiums, but par- 

 tially because of the fact that nearly all the classes filled in every depart- 

 ment. No doubt the same amount, |24,000.00, will be apportioned the 



Michigan State Fair for 1920. 



BONDS. 



The total bond issue now against our property in |355,000.00, with 

 only 1255,000.00 outstandiug-^100,000.00 being unsold and on hand. 

 There was paid on May first the amount of bonds falling due on that 

 date, f 10,000.00 with ^15,500.00 interest for the year. Our bonds all fall 

 due on May first, 1920, and it will then be necessary to reissue the same. 



INSURANCE. 



The insurance on our buildings has been renewed, and we are now 

 carryiug |181,500, at a cost |2,(311.78 being 4 per cent less than last 

 year on account of the war tax being removed. 



STREET CAR FARE. 



With reference to the T>. TJ. R. charging two fares from the city to the 

 Fair Grounds; during the past year I have taken this matter up with 

 the Mayoi' and Common Council and impressed upon them the import- 

 ance of the adjustment of matters wnth the T>. U. R. to make a single 

 fare rate good to the Fair Grounds. I have also taken this matter up 

 along the same line with the Assistant General Manager of the D. U. R., 

 Mr. Burdick, with whom I have an intimate acquaintance. He assured 

 me if it were possible to make arrangements with the city so they 

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