REPORT OF SECRETARY-MANAGER. 



To the Members of the Executive Committee: 



The 1915 State Fair was successful from a financial standpoint, notwithstand- 

 ing the weather conditions were very unfavorable, leaving us a sufficient amount 

 to pay all our necessary expenses for the year and to care for the bonds and 

 interest falling due May 1st, 1916. 



The total receipts amounted to |144,978.49 and the total expenses for the year 

 amounted to $130,380.23, showing net receipts of the year's business of $14,598.26. 

 The difference in receipts and expenditures over 1914 was due largely to the 

 fact that in 1914 the purses paid for the Grand Circuit race meet amounted to 

 $37,715, while in 1915 we paid $7,670. It is my opinion that we should continue 

 in the Short Ship circuit, as it took all the receipts, including the Grand Stand, 

 to pay the purses in 1914, while in 1915 the total receipts, including the Grand 

 Stand were between $7,000 and $8,000 more than the amount expended. The 

 total premiums awarded and paid amounted to $26,844.33, which includes badges 

 and cups for champion prizes. 



There were 136 Membership tickets sold and 1,261 $2.00 and 50c Exhibitor's 

 tickets. The receipts from stall pens and poultry fees amounted to $1,653. The 

 Auditor's report for the year included herewith gives a summary of receipts 

 and expenses in all Departments. 



Appropriation : 



Regarding the recommendation made at the last Annual Meeting asking that 

 a Committee be appointed to take up the question of an appropriation at the 

 next legislature, I wish to report that I immediately went to work on the matter 

 with the result that we secured an appropriation of $50,000 per year for the 

 years 1915 and 1916 to be distributed to Michigan Fairs, the Michigan State 

 Fair receiving $16,000 as their portion for 1915, which has been received and 

 used for the payment of premiums. 



The appropriation also carried with it the appointment of a Commission, known 

 as the Michigan Agricultural Fair Commission, with the following members: 



Michigan Agricultural College, Robert D. Graham, Grand Rapids. 



Ancient Order of Gleaners, Grant Slocum, Detroit. 



Michigan Farmers' Clubs, Alfred Allen, Mason. 



Michigan State Agricultural Society, G. W. Dickinson, Detroit. 



Michigan State Grange, John C. Ketchum, Hastings. 



Western Michigan Fair, Joseph H. Brewer, Grand Rapids. 



The $50,000 appropriated by the legislature was, in my judgment, and I think 

 in the judgment of the other Fair Secretaries, apportioned in an equitable man- 

 ner and I feel certain if the matter is properly handled, we should experience 

 no difficulty at the next session in securing a continuous appropriation of this 

 amount, or even greater. 



$60,000 Bo7i(Js: 



With reference to the recommendation of your Secretary at the last annual 

 meeting, that we make a second mortgage bond issue of $60,000 to cover the 

 floating indebtedness, I wish to report that the bonds were issued in accordance 

 with such recommendation and sold to the Dime Savings Bank at one per cent 

 discount. This money was used for the payment of floating indebtedness, mak- 

 ing a total bond issue of $250,000, $5,000 of which was paid last May, making 

 outstanding bonds unpaid at this date of $245,000. There will fall due May 1st, 

 1916, bonds to the amount of $10,000, and the interest amounting to $7,350. 



