FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV. 331 



The folks who arranged to camp on the grounds had the easy time 

 of it. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the attendance was very 

 large, so large that the transportation facilities were inadequate to 

 handle the crowds, and it was a hard day's work to get to and from the 

 grounds. People who tented on the grounds avoided all of this crowding 

 and discomfort. They were able to inspect and study exhibits in which 

 they were particularly interested in the morning, before the large crowds 

 reached the grounds, and in the evening after they had thinned out. 

 During the heat of the day, they could retire to their tents and rest in 

 comfort. Many who came in automobiles brought their camp equip- 

 ment with them, but those who did not had no difficulty to arrange for 

 tents with the companies which make this a business. 



The directors of the State Fair have shown such good judgment in 

 most things, that their admission of nasty side shows is hard to under- 

 stand. Most of these shows this year were of the rather innocuous 

 sort — monstrosities of one sort and another, acrobatic stunts, trained 

 animals, etc. One or two, however, were of the nastiest sort — and 

 should have been kicked out without ceremony as soon as their real 

 character became known. When protests were made to some of the 

 fair officials, they were reported as saying that they had been assured 

 the "show was all right," and it was not until the sheriff of Polk 

 county appeared that their serious attention was secured. One of the 

 directors was quoted as saying that he did not intend to put himself 

 up as censor of show's. For many years the Iowa State Fair set a high 

 standard in the matter of side shows. It grew and prospered during 

 this period. Last year the standard w^as lowered, mucli to the disgust 

 of decent people. The Iowa farmer — and without him the fair would 

 not amount to anything — looking for wholesome amusement, does not 

 want to be confronted, and does not want his boys and girls con- 

 fronted, by foul-mouthed spielers suggesting the wickedness to be 

 seen within the tent. The fair directors are responsible in this matter. 

 Pleas of ignorance will not do. It is their business to know about these 

 shows. They are the officers of a state institution, built up by state 

 money. They are expected to provide an educational exposition, and a 

 place for wholesome amusement. They have not been given license 

 to debauch our young people. Tliere is no excuse for a "midway" on 

 the Iowa State Fair grounds; and before another year an issue should 

 be made of this matter. 



Our fondness for bigness and breaking records seems to be a west- 

 ern characteristic. "Do you think the fair is as big this year as last?" 

 was a common question. It was certainly "big" enough to undertake 

 to see to any purpose. The live stock exhibit in some departments 

 w^as not as large as in previous years, but for educational purposes 

 it was fully as large as is necessary. In most other departments there 

 was a greater variety of exhibits than ever before. 



