288 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



have more funds. It has not been and should not be the policy 

 of the association to accumulate unnecessary funds, but we are 

 demanding more and expecting better things all the time, and 

 if we expect to grow and fulfill the functions of the association 

 it all costs money. For instance, our banquet cost us twenty per 

 cent more than it did formerly, and some things that we have 

 undertaken to do this year, for instance, the aggressive campaign 

 we have undertaken to interest the owners and breeders and 

 drivers of horses, and it all cost us money. And it ought to be 

 carried on and pushed. And for that reason I am going to sug- 

 gest an increase in the membership dues for the fairs in Iowa. I 

 think the horsemen's dues should remain what they are. We want 

 them to be with us. That practically covers the banquet and 

 expenses, and that is all we can expect, and I think the work we 

 have inaugurated this year ought to be pushed, and we ought to, 

 just as far as possible, increase the interest in this association, and 

 get as large a membership as possible, because there is so much 

 that can be accomplished by vigorous co-operation. Now, I am 

 not a candidate to succeed myself, and so I feel perfectly free 

 to urge this point strongly in regard to an increase in member- 

 ship, and the suggestion I have made will make plenty of work 

 for the man who succeeds me. This organization has no excuse 

 whatever for its existence if it does not fulfill its object, which, 

 of course, is higher ideals, to inspire its membership with higher 

 ideals, and raise the standards of the county fairs. That we have 

 tried to do, and with what success it remains to be seen. 



I want to say in closing that there are some features of this 

 work that I have enjoyed very much. I have received nothing 

 but kind and courteous consideration from all with whom I have 

 come in contact, and with whom I have had correspondence, and, 

 as I stated in a letter — one of the letters that I sent out to the 

 secretaries of Iowa, we were inaugurating this new feature, under- 

 taking to interest the horsemen of Iowa in our association, and 

 we got the list as far as we could. It was impossible to get a com- 

 pleted list, but the horse papers have very kindly advertised our 

 purpose, and they have given us a lot of free advertising in this 

 matter. And, while we have not a large membership from that 

 source, yet at the same time it is gratifying to know that what 

 we have is good, and I believe we can hold what we have, and we 

 can begin on another year. 



