EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART III. 71 



miles of railroads and electric lines, with all the advantages of 

 rapid communication by telephone and other means, Iowa has been 

 put in a very different position. So we welcome this change ; we 

 rejoice in its prosperity, and we are only anxious and solicitous 

 that this prosperity shall continue. I am sure the people of Des 

 Moines will co-operate to help make this effort a success. I am 

 sure the people of Des Moines will co-operate in a continuation of 

 this success, which is evidenced by its magnificent gift to the state 

 in establishing this great fair. It has been my privilege to visit 

 several of the fairs of other states, as well as many exhibitions of 

 other countries. I can say, in my judgment, we have the ideal 

 fair and the ideal conditions in a most remarkable agricultural 

 community. 



Mr. Dobson made the statement that this was purely an agri- 

 cultural state, and it is true, no doubt. But it is not true that 

 we wiU always remain an agricultural state. Why? We have the 

 coal — the motive power — to make a great manufacturing state. 

 With our incresing demands, and increasing population, no one 

 can say this will always be an agricultural state. It is true that 

 our magnificent soil naturally led us into agricultural pursuits, 

 and the lack of these advantages in other states, to manufacturing 

 pursuits. But the time will come, I think, when we will see fit to 

 diversify our industries; when with our 18,000 acres of coal lands 

 and the impetus of our rivers for disseminating the power of 

 electricity, and all these things, then, if not before, will there be a 

 diversity of our industries. We are not dependent on com, grain, 

 hogs and cattle and horses ; we raise other crops and animals, and 

 just so as time goes on we will increase these opportunities and 

 diversities. 



I shall not attempt at this time to give you my ideas of what 

 the future should be. But it is certain as time goes on, we will 

 resort to better methods, more scientific investigation and applica- 

 tion as the days and years shall come and pass, and with it we 

 hope and expect that our State Fair and State Farmers' Institute 

 wiU not only keep pace, but will go beyond the march of progress. 



So, Mr. Dobson and the people of Des Moines, we return to you 

 our hearty acknowledgment of your kind welcome. You have 

 spoken to us, and we shall try to appreciate your friendship. 

 Then when the time comes for the State Fair we all hope to be 

 back again with our friends and neighbors, so that we may have a 

 royal good time, and that the next Fair will be better than any 

 yet held in the state of Iowa. 



