ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI 323 



There has been quite a little discussion and dissatisfaction on the part 

 of exhibitors showing large traction engines, because no suitable ground 

 for demonstration work was available. This year, as most of you know, 

 some of them requested that they be permitted to move their rigs in and 

 out of the Grand avenue gate to demonstrate upon ground which they had 

 leased along the north side of Grand avenue west of the grounds. This 

 request the management did not grant, for the reason they thought it would 

 interfere with the traffic through the gates, they being the main and only 

 vehicle admission entrances to the grounds. After this a few of the ex- 

 hibitors brought two outfits placing one in the grounds and the other 

 on the outside, and requested the management to issue pass out checks 

 to persons desiring to pass out to see the demonstrations. While it is 

 strictly against the policy of the management to issue any pass out 

 checks, they granted the request, reserving the right to cease giving them 

 out at any time when in their opinion it became a nuisance or they 

 thought the privilege was being abused. It was found necessary to do 

 this after a trial, which was resented by some of the exhibitors. It would 

 seem that the board of management should investigate this matter thor- 

 oughly and endeavor to provide some ground upon which these demonstra- 

 tions could be carried on. The land lying north and east of the race 

 track seems to be about the only desirable location. I would suggest that 

 the board either recommend to the legislature the advisability of pur- 

 chasing this land or seek to secure a long time lease on it. 



AMUSEMENTS AND ATTRACTIONS. 



As you will recall, in my report read before the meeting yesterday, I 

 referred briefly to the cost of music and amusements for the fair of 1910. 

 What shall be your policy for the coming year and the future should be 

 discussed and determined at this meeting, for it will be necessary for your 

 executive committee to begin at once laying their plans and looking 

 around for suitable attractions for the 1911 fair. 



It has been suggested that in lieu of a carnival company shows under 

 numerous tents, a good plan would be to arrange for a large hippodrome 

 show, giving three performances daily, with a nominal admission fee. 

 In order to provide for such a show it would be necessary to build a 

 permanent stage. The seating could be arranged for by using circus 

 seats with canvas covering. While this may not be advisable or prac- 

 tical at this time, there is much in it to think about for the future. 



Another suggestion which I can commend to your careful considera- 

 tion is in the matter of constructing or arranging with outside parties 

 to construct some permanent amusement devices, such as merry-go-round, 

 figure eight, shoot the chutes, trip through Wonderland, etc. If the 

 board does not deem it advisable at this time to expend money for per- 

 manent amusement devices (which we would not recommend them to do), 

 they might consider the advisability of dealing with some person or per- 

 sons who would be interested by giving them a lease covering a short 

 term of years. This latter plan has already been followed by a few of 

 the state fairs, viz.. Oklahoma, Dallas, Tex., and Toronto, Canada. 



