126 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



taining to state aid to fair associations, making it a requirement tliat in 

 order to procure such aid, each fair association must have representa- 

 tion at the annual Agricultural convention. 



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That in this great conflict of war with 

 other nations, we pledge our allegiance to our government and offer all 

 our resources to the winning of this war against autocracy, and the ulti- 

 mate victory for a united democracy of all nations. 



New business: Various fairs were called upon to express opinions re- 

 garding their success with the various bills that have been brought 

 about by this association. 



Report of Dues Committee: This committee advocates the straight 1 

 per cent of amount received as state aid and with the banquet tickets 

 as a separate consideration. This report was adopted. 



Adjourned to 12:30 p. m. Lunch at Savery Hotel. 



Address by Governor W. L. Harding. 



Address by J. F. Deems and Dr. J. I. Gibson had to be dispensed with 

 on account of their inability to be present. The smoker and short talk 

 by visiting friends were a feature and the meeting aqjourned with all 

 apparently satisfied with results of same. 



In October this year you all received a circular letter calling atten- 

 tion to the fact that arrangements were under way for our 1918 annual 

 meeting and also notice of annual dues. I tried to impress upon you all 

 the necessity of being present at this meeting, suggesting as strongly as 

 I could (without creating an opinion that the meeting was exclusively 

 for amusement) that the social features would excel all past efforts, 

 feeling that a dry, set and arranged program was not a sufficient induce- 

 ment for a large attendance. 



I called a meeting of the entertainment committee at Ft. Dodge which 

 was attended by Mr. Kaskey of Manson, and Stanberry of Ft. Dodge, from 

 which place I alone went to Des Moines where I tried to carry out tho 

 plans of the Ft. Dodge meeting and, with the exception of minor details, 

 today's program is the result.- I believe this annual meeting should be 

 made so interesting that it will be looked forward to by every fair mana- 

 ger. I see no way you can interest them more than by round table talks 

 and a set program such as we have arranged this year with just enough 

 amusement and entertainment for diversion. 



There has been a demand for the issuing in pamphlet form the min- 

 utes of our annual meetings. Lack of money has made this impossible 

 in the past. This year I have a plan under way which can easily be 

 carried to a successful conclusion, but must have co-operation to make it 

 of any value. Replies to questions I have asked in a recent circular 

 letter are of importance. Do not neglect this reply and offer any sugges- 

 tions you may have in regard to its publication. 



The year 1918 has been a peculiar one for the fair business. Lack of 

 interest predominated. While it may have appeared on the surface, un- 

 derneath it all there was a something that retarded activity. This has 

 been eliminated and our 1919 fairs should be the best in the history of 

 fairs. Let's work together, try and get better legislation to promote 

 agriculture through the fairs, larger increase in state aid or appropria- 



