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Show 34 OOMMISSIONEIL OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. On January 26, 1916, I addressed the followingletter concerning Indian fairs to reservation superintendents: ~o'supeinttendmts: As stated in Circular No. 1041, the Indian fairs and the Indian exhibits at a county and State fairs in 1916 were the most successfnl ever known in the htstory of the Indian Service. A large number of prizes were won by Indians on agricultural products in open competitioq with the exhibits of white farmers. whlch is gratifying evidence that our work in behalf of the industrial uplift - ' .ofthe Indians is accomplishing substantial and permanent results. While, of course, the Indians themselves are primarily entitled to the credit for these excellent results, yet they could not have been achieved without the . hearty support and cooperation of superintendents knd employees, whose splen-did work along thee lines I greatly appreciate. Yet I feel that the possibili-ties of Indian fairs as n Potent factor in the indnstrinl progress of the Indians have just begun to be realized, and I wish to offer some suggestions with respect to the conduct of future fairs, based on the experience of the past two years. . I understand that at some of the fairs the exhibits arc contributed by a com-paratively small 'number of the more intelligent and progressive Indians in proportion to the whole number farming. In order to make a good showing I fear that the tendency sometimes is to pay most attention to Indians of this clasii. This should not be, and I desire that every eRort be put forth to make the fairs more representative of the indnstqial accomplishments of all the In. dians by getting the largest possible number to enter exhibits at the fair. The superintendents should be even no+ making tentative plans for their next fair, with the view of issuing their premium listearly in the spring 'so that the Indians may have the fair "idea" definitely in mind when planting ' and caring for their crops, in order to select some partleular product or prod-u@ s .on w?ich they wlsh to contest for a prize, thereby giving it or them special attention with the specific purpose of growing the best possible crop. If prop-erly followed up by the farmers this will eVentually get the Indian into the habit of cultivating all of his crops aceording to the latest,and most approved methods. The in0uence of the fair will thus operate to the permanent benefit of the Indian in ail the varied activities of his life and qntrihute materially - to his progress. Permanent fair associations with Indian officers exist on a number of res-ervations, holding successful fairs, which have the exclusive management of the fair under the supervision of the superintendent, thus tending to emphasize to the Indians the fact that the fair is primarily their enterprise. These asso-ciations should be organized on all reservations holding fairs where they do not now exist. It is suggested that the principal officers consist of president, vice , president, secretary,. and treasurer, with an executive committee made up of one Indian from each farm district on the reservation, who wonld work in con-junction with the farmer of that district in further developing the interest of the Indians in the fair and in arranging plans. The officers of the fair asso-ciation should he progressive Indians, who are really interested In the fair, as demonstrated by. their active participation. Previous instructions limiting the fair to three days; prohibiting the old-time , dances entirely, and restricting the horse races, if any, to. two each day, are still in effect and must be observed. I realize that some form of amusement or recreation is necessary at the fair, and it will be the superintendent's.duty" - to devise helpful and constructive substitutes for the old-time practices, as out- lined in Circular ~ d 8.36 , such os athletic contests, feats of strength or sicill, |