SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IX. 971 



THE IOWA STATE FAIR.. 



THE HOMESTEAD. 



There are a few factors essential to the making of a great fair, 

 among which are sensible management, good equipment and fair weather. 

 When these conditions are right there can be made an accurate test of 

 the possibilities of a people's ability acting in the capacity of exhibi- 

 tors. Bearing this fact in mind the statement can be boldly made that 

 Iowa demonstrated last week that she has ability to put up one of the 

 greatest, if not absolutely the greatest fair held in this country. When 

 the gates closed last Friday night a record had been made in attend- 

 ance, excellence and variety of exhibits and success in management. 



The weather being ideal throughout the week insured much the lar- 

 gest attendance in the history of the Iowa State Fair, this being natur- 

 ally expected, owing to the marked degree of prosperity that prevails 

 in the corn belt. Expectations, however, in this regard were more than 

 realized and a handsome surplus was piled up for future use to make 

 a still greater fair. Although there has been but little building since 

 the fair of 1904. yet the fair management were better equipped than 

 ever not only to give visitors a good time, but to give it under con- 

 ditions that made it easy to take. The plan of keeping the grounds 

 free from refuse was favorably commented on by visitors. The hill- 

 sides and valleys on the fair grounds never had a better covering of 

 blue grass, so that campers and picnickers fairly reveled in the luxury 

 of the outing. 



One important feature in connection with the holding of any fair 

 is the transportation of the crowd to and from the grounds. Last week 

 the service was well-nigh perfect. The Des Moines street car com- 

 pany made a remarkable record in the service it rendered. The fact 

 that the company was able to handle between 100,000 and 200,000 peo- 

 ple with but a single accident to one Individual, in which the company 

 was absolutely blameless, is a record that will do much to contribute 

 to success of similar events held in Des Moines. The comfortable and 

 always reliable service rendered by the Rock Island railroad did much 

 to relieve congestion. As to the matter of caring for the people, Des 

 Moines proved ample for the occasion. There were those of course 

 who failed to find accommodation, but the Commercial Club was able 

 to care for everybody that applied and could have accommodated even 

 more. For the benefit of readers who may have met with some disap- 

 pointment regarding accommodation, we will say that it is never a 

 wise thing to go to the grounds without first having provided yourself 

 with a good lodging place. This can always be done in Des Moines 

 either at the hotels or through the medium of the Commercial Club. 

 Thousands of good homes in the city are thrown open to visitors dur- 

 ing fair week. No little credit is due the police force of the city for 

 the order maintained during the week, there being no hold-ups reported 

 and but little petty thieving. The records made demonstrated, as has 



