MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 711 



nate their time and receive only their traveling and hotel expenses from 

 itemized bills. 



These are matters for consideration. The fair to be a success, must 

 be self-sustaining. What new methods or means can be introduced that 

 will warrant a larger attendance? 



Should the citizens of Grand Rapids or any other city desire the ex- 

 hibition, what will they do to insure increased interest and greater re- 

 ceipts? Will the railroads centering in the locality where the fair 

 may be held do anything by way of cheaper rates and a lessening of 

 freight and switching charges? In the past, the members of the Execu- 

 tive Committee who have to be on hand some days previous to the fair, 

 have had to pay full fare to the place of exhibition and from there to 

 their homes, and also to some help besides because the cheaper rates 

 do not come in force until the week of the fair. To obviate this addi- 

 tional expense a few return papers have been issued in a few instances. 

 Can the roads which are benefited to a certain extent by the holding 

 of the fair, be induced to help reduce expenses by allowing those who 

 give their time for the purposes of their society, the same privileges 

 accorded to visitors? The meetings of the Executice Committee and the 

 Special Committee which have to meet several times during the year 

 to prepare and make arrangements for the fair have to pay full rates 

 both ways. Would it not be well for this committee before deciding to 

 hold another fair, to confer with railroad officials and see if some ar- 

 rangement cannot be made by which permits for half fare shall be issued 

 to such committees in the discharge of such duties, when proper assur- 

 ances are given that such privileges will not be abused? 



If any benefits accrue in the exhibitions of the society to any except 

 those engaged in helping make the fair a success of their exhibits and 

 those who patronize it, it must be to the locality where the fair is held 

 and to the railroads, by the increase of patronage owing to the exhibi- 

 tion. To me it seems that these are matters of interest and should be 

 given attention in deciding the question of holding another fair. 



Some considerable difference of opinion has existed among members 

 of the committee relative to the time of holding the fair, some thinking 

 a later date preferable to the early part of September, the argument be- 

 ing that farmers would be more nearly through with wheat seeding, 

 corn cutting and bean harvesting and could better afford the time to 

 attend the fair than if held earlier. Some few criticisms have appeared 

 which may have led to the belief that the financial affairs of the society 

 were controlled by a coterie of members, in a manner that deprived the 

 public of what was being done. This is entirely misleading, as the 

 books of the society are for the inspection of any person interested in 

 knowing their contents. The sources from which such statements were 

 derived would not be hard to find. The Secretary of the State Society 

 is obliged by Article VIII of the Constitution to make a report to the 

 society at the meeting of the Executive Committee next after each an- 

 nual meeting and fair of the society, which report shall state by items 

 all moneys received by him and shall also state the dates at which the 

 same were paid over to the treasurer and the amount at each time. 

 Such report shall also show all warrants drawn on the treasurer and 

 the specific purpose for which each warrant was drawn. 



In addition to this, a report from the Chairman of the Business Com- 



