74 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Gentlemen: In my report to the state agricultural convention I en- 

 deavored to cover the exhibit of the state fair and the finances of the 

 fair quite completely. 



For your further information I am placing in your hands a number 

 of exhibits, or statements, dealing with the attendance; ticket sales, 

 number of exhibitors and number of animals and articles on exhibition; 

 comparative statements of receipts and disbursements and itemized state- 

 ments showing cost of the Women and Children's Building; cooling out 

 paddock; cattle barn; subway and street car entrance. The purpose of 

 these statements is to acquaint each member of the board with the de- 

 tails of the various departments of the fair. 



The financial statement to the convention takes into consideration only 

 the receipts and disbursements that have been entered on our books. 

 This statement does not take into consideration the unpaid bills on file, 

 amounting to $5,614.32. You will find an itemized statement of these 

 unpaid bills on page 15 of the statement. On page 16 you will find a 

 summary of the receipts and disbursements, taking into consideration all 

 unpaid bills and showing a shortage, November 30th, of $4,645.59. To 

 this amount must be added the $20,000 borrowed on October 27th for 

 settling unpaid bills and balance due on contracts. This makes the total 

 indebtedness of the department at November 30th, $24,645.59. The present 

 condition of our treasury will entirely relieve this board from any 

 further worry as to what improvements should be made another year 

 from any anticipated receipts of the 1915 fair. With average weather 

 during fair week in 1915, and by curtailing expenses of the fair a little, 

 the management should be able to wipe out this indebtedness another 

 year. However, to do this it will be necessary for all to lend a hand 

 and make no improvements from anticipated receipts during the coming 

 year. 



The matter of state appropriations for permanent improvements on 

 the grounds another year should have the attention of the board at this 

 meeting. The board should determine just what we are going to ask the 

 legislature for. 



If we are going to ask the legislature for an appropriation for a sheep 

 barn and a sewer sj'stem for the grounds, I think we should get out a 

 pamphlet showing the condition of our old sheep barns and also use cuts 

 of the new barn which we are asking for. 



We should also secure estimates from three or four reliable con- 

 tractors and determine, as nearly as possible, the cost of this building. 

 We should also make a survey for the sewer system, determine the size 

 of pipe to be used, the depth they are to be laid, and the cost to complete 

 same. I believe if we put the proposition up to the legislature in a 

 businesslike manner, and are united in what we ask for, they will treat 

 us fairly, as they have in the past. 



In checking over the payrolls of the various departments, I find there 

 is quite a difference in the amount paid employes during the fair. I 

 think it would be well if there was a committee selected to go over 

 these payrolls and adopt a uniform scale of wages to be paid assistant 

 superintendents and extra help during the fair. 



