Commissioner of Agriculture 9 



work at county and town fairs 



Prominent among the features emphasized this past year has 

 been the work done by the Department at the county and town 

 fairs. On July 17, 1915, the following circular letter was sent 

 out by the Department: 



To Officers of County and Town Agricultural Societies : 



It is deemed expedient for this department to keep in closer touch with the 

 work of county and town fairs in so far as it affects the distribution of state 

 money, and to have a complete record of such activities. To aid in doing this, 

 I hereby request that a complete list of the judges appointed by your associa- 

 tion for all classes for which state money is appropriated, be forwarded to 

 me at least ten days before the opening day of your fair. 



I trust that you will realize the importance of this matter and give it your 

 prompt attention at the proper time. 



Very truly yours, 



(Signed) Charles S. Wilson, 



Commissioner. 



The fair associations were very prompt in complying with this 

 request and in giving the Department every assistance possible. 



The attention of the fair associations was also directed to the 

 provisions of the Agricultural Law in relation to gambling and 

 shows. They were notified that no leniency would be shown to 

 violators, and that such would immediately forfeit their right to 

 receive State money. The following letter setting forth these 

 fact? was sent to the fair associations on July 17, 1915 : 



To Officers of County and Town Agricultural Societies : 



Your attention is hereby called to certain provisions of the Agricultural 

 Law in relation to the management of county and town fairs. 



With reference to gambling, the Law provides that any agricultural society, 

 agricultural club, or agricultural exposition which " shall knowingly permit 

 the use of any gambling device, device, instrument or contrivance in the opera- 

 tion of which bets are laid or wagers made, wheel of fortune, or the playing 

 or carrying on of any game of chance, upon the grounds used by it for, or 

 during, an annual meeting, fair or exhibition." shall forfeit its rights to any 

 moneys it would be entitled to under Article V of the Agricultural Law. 



Under this provision of the Law, games in which skill alone enters will 

 not deprive an association of its right to receive state aid. Games which 

 are purely gambling, as well as those in which skill and gambling are involved, 

 will deprive an association of such aid. Any element of gambling whatever 

 place 1 * a game or device in the latter class. If the association is in doubt 

 as to whether or not a certain game is a gamble, the Department will be glad 

 to give an opinion thereon, upon request. 



