THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XHI 767 



limit, many people standing for fifty miles at a stretch, and suffering 

 all kinds of inconvenience without complaint; regular schedules are not 

 maintained; in fact, it is cheap service all around, and worth consid- 

 erably less than the regular service. The east and west railroads are 

 regularly making very much lower rates per mile to western points than 

 they were asked to make for the State Fair. Since they persist in 

 adhering to the short-sighted policy which they have always followed nr 

 Iowa matters, the question should be fought out either in the state rail- 

 road commission or in the legislature. As noted in our editorial columns 

 last week, an appeal was made to the commission. Messrs. Ketchum 

 and Palmer held a star chamber session without notice to Mr. Thorne, 

 the third member, and decided that they had no authority. By the time 

 Mr. Thorne learned of this action and the case had been reopened it 

 was too late to take action. This matter should be threshed out before 

 another fair. The commission undoubtedly has full authority, and on 

 a proper showing of the character of the service rendered, there should 

 be no hesitation in reducing the rates another year. 



From every section of the state came stories of bountiful crops. It 

 appears certain now that if frost does not disturb the corn crop, it will 

 be the largest we have harvested for many a year, and, taking all crops 

 into consideration, it seems to be the unanimous opinion that never be- 

 fore has the earth yielded so bounteously to the Iowa farmer. Remark- 

 able yields of winter wheat are reported, some running as high as sixty 

 Dushels to the acre. The oat crop seems to have been heavy throughout 

 the state. Pastures have been luxurious, and there will be plenty of 

 hay to spare. The Iowa farmer chanted the song of plenty at Des 

 Moines last week. 



It is not possible to secure exact information, but it seems conservative 

 to say that thousands of families came to the fair in their own automo- 

 biles, and a very considerable percentage of these were farmers. The 

 main avenues on the fair grounds were lined with autos backed up side 

 by side for half a mile in either direction, and there were hundreds of 

 them under the trees in the camping ground. The automobile has got to 

 be about as common as the horse on the Iowa country roads, and the 

 number being bought by farmers seems to be steadily growing. 



An increasing number of those who come from a distance are taking 

 advantage of the camping privileges on the grounds. This really forms 

 the most comfortable and most delightful way to see the fair. With a 

 well-floored, commodious tent under the beautiful trees on the higher 

 ground to the east of the main fair buildings, one can enjoy a most de- 

 lightful outing and see the fair with the maximum of comfort. There 

 is no rushing and crowding for a strap in the street car or for a chance 

 to stand in the aisle of one of the crowded railroad cars. Being on the 

 grounds early in the morning, the exhibits of chief interest may be ex- 



