The Billboard 1913-03-22: Vol 25 Iss 12 (1913-03-22)

“ARCH 22, 1913, The Billboard Wt IBY UB By i lt Al \\ Cl {ll pry to ‘a and Exhibitors By I. S. Mahan Oy ~ Se) Ci — a Courtesy in every line of business life is now growing rule, and I know of no line of business in which its application will bring such slowing results as in the operation of fairs and expositions. Patrons of our fairs, both exhibitors nd visitors, always remember the treatment they receive much better than you remember the manner in which you treated them, and, if they are favorably imprest with your treatment, you profit thereby. The writer is a firm believer in rules and order, for without these essentials, the immense sums of money spent in buildings and the expense incurred in assembling the elements that make our great fairs a success, are all for nothing. The contention is that rules can be enforced and in such a manner as to command the respect of our exhibitors and visitors. To please all is impossible—to please and hold the esteem of the majority is within the power of every state fair management. Suggestions from your patrons should be welcomed and received with consideration. The cold eye of the outsider is what we need at times. “The man on the spot never sees the spot,” hence the value of suggestions. The exhibitor should ke made to feel at home from the time he arrives on your grounds until he makes his departure, not that he should be shown any special favors over other exhibitors, but after he thoroly understands that you have rules and regulations, he fully appreciates the courteous application of them. Each year we meet with many new exhibitors who must necessarily be shown the importance of rules and order, and time, patience and consideration must be given them. Lack of knowledge in making entries, methods of shipping their exhibits, location of stalls and pens, and exhibit space must be thoroly explained. Employes should be thoughtful of the welfare of elderly people and the stranger that visit your fair for the first time. Impressions are which we believe to be equitable and just to our patrons and to ourselves. We are dealing with hundreds of people, each of whom is engaged in a different line of business which is governed by rules of theirown making, which they sometimes endeavor to apply to the management of the fair. This is not mentioned as a criticism, but it behooves us in the making of our rules to be broad minded and consider the desires and comforts of others. Our patrons should be made to understand that they are being fairly treated and will be shown courteous treatment. These facts will create talk and such talk is the best possible kind of advertising. The fair manager should not think it is possible to please everybody, no matter how affable he may be. That this fact applied in olden times lasting and discourtesy from employes should not be tolerated. Our plans and management are AN often severly criticised. How easy it is to criticise and how difficult it is to sug¢zest a better plan. No one has a right to criticise unless he can perform a task better than the one with whom he is finding fault, and, furthermore it is unbecoming of him to do so until he has tried the kind of work to be accomplisht and knows whereof he speaks. Every line of business needs its friends: is not the management of a large fair or exposition a business of itself? Yes. Its success depends entirely upon public opinion, and public opinion, whether good or bad, is after all but the expression of the majority. I regret to say that many of our patrons are often very trying but it should be our duty to meet discourtesy with patience. Perhaps he is misinformed or does not understand the rules. Perhaps the man you are dealing with is overbearing and grouchy. A thoro explanation of your rules may appeal to him, and often times you make a friend of a man whose intention was to be your enemy. Willful violators of rules should he reprimanded if their violations are allowed to continue, the disruption of your entire organization is sure to follow. Rule and order are in favor with the lic In general, but they appreciate their applition in a courteous manner. for It is not so remarkable, after all, that conon and misunderstandings occur with our trons. We are one institution operatine or isiness under a set of rules and regulations, UNIQUE DISPLAY SHOWN AT MONTANA STATE FAIR. as well as the present, is shown by the well-known fable from Aesop’s Fables: THE MAN, THE SON, AND HIS ASS—A man and his son drove their ass to a fair to sell him. They had not gone far, when one of a group of girls, who sood round a well, said, with a laugh, “Look at those two fools—they let their ass walk at his ease, while they trudge on foot by his side.” The man heard this, and set his son on the beast. They had not gone more than half a mile, when they came up to some old men who sat in grave talk. “There,” said one of them, “that just proves what I say; nowadays the young take no care of the old; see, that young rogue rides, while the old man has to walk by his side. Jet down, and let your sire rest his limbs.” At this the man made his son jump off the ass, that he might ride him. Thus they went on for a space, where they met three kind dames, each with a child on her arm. “Why, you old sloth,” said one of them, “what a shame to sit at ease while that poor slight lad can scarce keep pace by the side of you!" The man then took his son on the croup of the ass by his side, and so they rode till they got near the town. “Pray, good friend.” said a young man who met them, “is that ass your own?” “Yes,” said he, “One would not have thought so by the way you load him. Why, it seems to me more fit thet vou tw should take him to the fair, than that he should take you.” “Well, be it so.” said the old man. “we can but try.” So they got off, and made fast the legs of the ass to a pole, which each took hold of at one end, and so went on their way, till they came to a bridge. This was a rare sight, and so the boys and girls thought, for they ran in crowds to laugh at the farce, till the ass—which took fright at the noise—gave a kick which broke the cords that bound him; so he fell in the stream, and sank. The old man then made the best of his way home, and said, “If we try to please all, we please none.” | HINTS TO FAIR SECRETARIES By Frank Meredith. Speaking of attractions, as anyone who has ever had anything to do with entertaining the public at a fair knows, the attractions, that is, shows, merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels, etc., are the “whole show” for a certain element of the patrons of a fair; hence it is of vital importance that the right class of attractions be secured. This is one of the hardest propositions that the fair management has to cope with. In spite of all precautions, undesirable attractions will creep in, and, the elimination of such shows being the aim of all managers, it is necessary that due precaution be exercised. The day of the fat lady, the tall man, the midget, and such attractions, is about over, if it is not already. People like to see new things, not attractions such as they saw at their first circus. Good animal shows are a splendid drawing card, as are also really good acrobatic performances. A thoroly good minstrel show is a feature not to be overlookt. Would also mention moving pictures, panoramic views and model cities as being other attractions really worth while. A change of program at least once during the week would also be a good thing, as very few people care to go to the same show twice, and after they have all been visited, their interest in this part of the fair is over. The merry-go-round is indispensable—that is a foregone conclusion. What would a fair amount to, as far as the children are concerned, if there was no merry-go-round? For fairs, where there is not already a thoroly equipt children’s playground, this might prove a great attraction for a carnival company to carry. A eugenics expocition could also be conducted in this way. It has been argued that attractions of the character mentioned should be done away with entirely at fairs: a few being of the opinion that the exhibits of various kinds, together with the races, should be sufficient to entertrin the public. This is not true, however, as there are all kinds of people to deal with. Some ecnre for nothing but exhibits. Others are interested only in the races and never go near the exhibits. Again there are others who really care very litt'e for shows of this kind, but after they have viewed the exhibits, attended the races and vis‘ted all departments of the fair, they enjoy going to the shows on the trail, especially if they are worth going to. If the different carnival componies on the road expect patronage in the future, they will have to give the people something new and clean. A fair crowd goes to the fair to be entertained, and while some think that the exhibits of live stock, poultry, agriculture, etc., are anuf to entertain anyone, there are others who never go (Continued on page 140.)