OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT,
Hot Springs, Ark., July 31, 1906.

SIR: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following report covering the operations of this office for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1906:

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

The revenues derived from this reservation are received from water and ground rents and sales of Government lots when authorized. By the acts of Congress approved March 3, 1877, and June 16, 1880, all funds received from sale of Government lots, water and ground rents, are set apart and held as a special fund for the operation, care, and improvement of the permanent reservation under direction of the Secretary of the Interior. The collections of water and ground rents are made quarterly, being payable in advance during the first five days of each quarter, and are remitted to the assistant treasurer of the United States at St. Louis, Mo., to be placed to the credit of the fund for the "protection and improvement of the Hot Springs Reservation, Arkansas." The water rents for the year have yielded the sum of $16,965. The ground rents are from the Arlington Hotel Company and the Hot Springs Mountain Observatory Company, and amount to $2,783.33.

There are 24 bath-house lessees, operating 596 tubs, at $30 per tub per annum; also 1 horse pool, at $120 per annum.

The following table indicates the various houses under lease, together with the tubbage, and the amount received therefor, and also the leases under which ground rents are collected:

RECEIPTS.

The Alhambra Bath House water rents were remitted during this year as the new house has not yet been completed.

Simon Cooper commenced paying water rents January 1, 1906.

DISBURSEMENTS.

The disbursements covering all, amounts paid on account of salaries, incidental expenses, improvements, regular and fixt charges, together with the amounts disbursed by the Department, as evidenced by vouchers and pay rolls, have been as follows:

BATH HOUSES.

There are 25 leases of hot-water franchises from this department, 11 on the permanent reservation and 14 off the reservation, fairly well distributed to serve the public. The houses are constructed upon various lines of architectural design, and contain varying degrees of equipment. In my opinion many of them do not measure up to the standard of requirements demanded by the public, either in equipment or efficiency of service, or scientific methods of bathing. My views on this subject have heretofore been given in former reports, and in my judgment as cogent as ever. The total amount received last year for baths was $184,646.30. The total number of paid baths was 596,647, and the total number of complimentary baths given by the various houses was 14,819.

The different individuals and corporations now holding leases for hot-water privileges from the Government reservation, also ground leases, together with the date and expiration of said leases, is given in the following table:

Table of rates for course of 21 baths and for single baths.

The above rates are fixt by the Secretary of the Interior, who also fixes the rate charged by the attendants, which is $3 per course of 21 baths, or 15 cents for a single bath in all bath houses, regardless of their rate. These rates are intended to be adjusted according to accommodations, equipment, and furnishings. I have made recommendations from time to time looking to a readjustment of these rates on more equitable lines, as I am convinced that the present rates are unequal in their advantages and have already caused some deviations from the established rate, which I fear will ultimately result in a rate war. I respectfully recommend that this matter receive early consideration.

PERSONNEL OF RESERVATION FORCE.

There are 20 persons regularly employed on the Hot Springs Reservation, and all are carefully selected with reference to their fitness and qualifications for the several positions filled by them. These appointments are made by the Secretary of the Interior on recommendation of the superintendent.

Personnel of the force, with the compensation, duties, and Congressional district from which appointed.

RULES AND REGULATIONS.

The formulation of rules and regulations for the government of the reservation has been deemed essential to establish order, discipline, uniformity, and regularity of conduct, and to add a measure of protection to the visitor and patron of the resort as well as the lessees. The proper enforcement of the rules and regulations presents an anomalous condition, viewed from a purely local standpoint. The lessees of water privileges from this Department are in possession of valuable franchises, so valuable in fact that it would seem to follow as a natural consequence that a ready compliance with all rules would be given, and hearty cooperation and support of the Department would be yielded in all of its efforts to elevate the resort and protect its patrons, yet it is apparent that many of the lessees are not in sympathy or accord with the Department in many of its rules, treating the subject with the assumption of vested rights based upon the small consideration of the water rents paid the Government, who look upon the rules and regulations as an encroachment of their rights of conduct of their business, and whose sympathy and encouragement given the opponents of the Government indicates contempt for its rules and only yield a superficial, half-hearted compliance thru fear of serious punishment or injury to their property interests.

The Government, after granting these valuable franchises and formulating its rules and regulations for the proper administration of the bathing interests, in order to obtain even the semblance of respect and observance of them is forced to maintain a police supervision requiring detective skill and constant vigilance; whereas an earnest, sincere, hearty cooperation on the part of the bath-house lessees would be of great assistance to the Government and would materially reduce violations of the laws. In justice to some of the lessees, I beg to say that they have yielded this support, and the above criticism does not apply to them; yet the fact that they do support the Government in maintaining its rules places them at a disadvantage in the race for business with their disloyal rivals, who covertly concentrate the drumming fraternity against them. The fact that the Department requires sworn evidence to convict of violations, and the further fact that violations are now consummated by adroit indirection, makes the preparation of cases against them extremely difficult. This, taken in connection with manifest indifference of the city or State authorities in either aiding the Government or enforcing their own laws and ordinances, has emboldened the drumming fraternity to resort to every means to circumvent the laws of Government, State, and city and have contested in the courts every step taken.

Notwithstanding this combined opposition, this Department, aided by the Visitors' Protective Association, has made substantial progress in the enforcement of its rules. The several suits in various forms against the superintendent and the Federal medical board brought in the United States district and circuit courts have been decided in favor of the Government except one, which case was taken to the United States circuit court of appeals upon appeal from the United States circuit court for the eastern district of Arkansas. This case, involving the validity of the law of Congress approved April 20, 1904, was argued and submitted at the June term of this court, held in the city of St. Paul, Minn., but no decision has yet been rendered by the court. If this decision is favorable to the Government all legal barriers will have been swept away and the field cleared for successful prosecutions of future infractions of the laws. The doubt and uncertainty of the legal status has operated to prevent an aggressive campaign against the drumming contingent.

Thru the efforts of the Visitors' Protective Association the case involving the validity of what is known as the Gantt law, regulating the practise of medicine in Arkansas, has been declared valid by the supreme court of the State, thus strengthening the cause in the State courts. In addition to this, the city council of the city of Hot Springs has past ordinances in harmony with the Gantt law, conferring power on the police court to try cases involving drumming to doctors and to revoke the license of any physician convicted of drumming. Thus it will be seen that having ample laws which can be invoked for the suppression of the drumming evil that an earnest effort on the part of the city and State authorities in conjunction with the Federal machinery will practically destroy this vicious practise, that in its effects is the greatest blight upon the good name of this resort; but without this support and cooperation the efforts of the Government in trying to afford protection to the sick people who come here for relief will not accomplish its full purpose. As a means to the more effectual accomplishment of this end I beg to respectfully recommend the adoption of the revised set of rules and regulations submitted to the Department in my letter of January 22, 1906.

IMPROVEMENTS.

In the act of Congress approved March 3, 1905, making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906, and for other purposes, under head of miscellaneous objects, Department of the Interior, provision is made for Hot Springs Reservation, Ark., as follows: "For filling up lakes in Whittington Lake Reserve Park. six thousand dollars."

I beg to report that under the above appropriation the lakes formerly existing in the above park have been filled up and converted into a part of the park proper. These lakes were originally designed to form an attractive, ornamental, and recreative feature of this park, and were completed in 1897, upon plans and specifications approved by the Department, and were to be supplied with water from the small arm of Hot Springs Creek which coursed thru it, and from living springs which were developed in course of construction. This supply of water proved to be inadequate, however, to provide sufficient water to keep the lakes supplied with fresh water during certain portions of the year, when the streams ran low and evaporation, caused by the sun's rays, was greatest, causing thereby a stagnation which was considered prejudicial to the health of the residents of that part of the city, who petitioned the board of health for the abatement of their use as lakes, and requested the Department to convert them into a part of the park proper. Recognizing the force of these continual requests, I had the honor to recommend, in my several annual reports, that their request be granted, and that an appropriation be asked for whereby the work could be accomplished.

The completion of this work has eliminated a constant source of dissemination of malarial and other miasmatic fevers, which has added materially to the healthfulness of the residents of that locality, besides removing a detrimental influence on property interests. This is considered especially true since the promulgation of the mosquito theory of the dissemination of various diseases, as the lakes were considered mere propagating beds of mosquitoes and foul miasmatic odors. The work consumed the entire appropriation, which fell a trifle short of accomplishing the fill; but this has been completed by the regular force.

In addition to the above work, which was accomplished thru direct appropriation by act of Congress, I was authorized by Department letter of February 9, 1906, to expend the sum of $2,800 from the Hot Springs Reservation fund as follows:

For painting Government property, $2,000; repairs to superintendent's residence building, $175; repairs to superintendent's office building and purchase of linoleum, $350; repairs to pavilions, keeper's house, bridges, etc., Whittington Lake Park, $275.

Under the allotment for painting I beg to report that the superintendent's residence building, barns, greenhouses, superintendent's office building, and all pavilions, keeper's house, fences, bridges, etc., at Whittington Lake Park have been thoroly painted in durable and ornamental harmonizing colors on the exterior, while the interior of the free bath house has been thoroly painted thruout the entire building, as well as all exterior wood and iron work, including the metallic and asbestos roofing; all painting originally estimated for has been done with the exception of the exterior brickwork of the free bath house, which we deemed advisable to pass for some future consideration. The total amount expended from this allotment was $1,668.51.

Under the allotment for repairs to superintendent's office building, purchase of linoleum, etc., I beg to report that the large room of this building, formerly occupied with machinery of the original pumping station has been fitted up in harmony with the balance of the office rooms and made available for office purposes, and the old, unsanitary carpets have been replaced with linoleum. Amount expended of this allotment, $349.30.

The repairs at superintendent's residence building include new approaches and repairs to verandas, consuming the entire allotment.

The repairs to property in Whittington Lake Park include repairs to keeper's house, pavilions, bridges, and fences, consuming $272.23 of the allotment.

Besides the improvements enumerated above, many minor repairs have been made during the year by the regular force, much of which is caused by the original equipment having been of a temporary character or of material subject to decay and consequent lack of durability, thereby causing our force the necessity of doing most of the work over again, using proper material to guarantee future wear.

FREE BATH HOUSE.

In my report for 1905 I had the honor to refer to this institution in part as follows:

The successful operation of this institution is an annoying and perplexing problem. In my annual report of last year I had the honor to refer to this matter as follows:

"The act of Congress approved December 16, 1878, provides 'that the superintendent shall provide and maintain a sufficient number of free baths for the use of the indigent, and the expense thereof shall be defrayed out of the rentals hereinbefore provided for.' Under this brief authority a free bath house has been maintained here in varying degrees of equipment and accommodations down to the present time.

"The first house was a plain wooden structure built over pools made in the tufa rock, with mud bottoms, and became famous as the 'mudhole.' This was replaced in 1890 with a new, and as then supposed, commodious brick house. This was still further improved in 1891, 1893, 1898, and 1900 by the addition of annexes to provide additional pools for the accommodation of the greatly increased demands made upon it. Realizing the necessity for increased accommodations and to keep pace with the constantly increasing patronage of this house, and recognizing the potency of the claims made by the public that this charity was not dispensed in a manner befitting the dignity of a Government institution, I had the honor to recommend in my annual report of 1901 an appropriation by Congress of an amount sufficient to erect a new house, to be built upon lines entirely different from the old pool system, and install individual tubs combining perfected equipment with improved hygienic conditions, light, ventilation, etc. This recommendation was approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and by the provisions of the sundry civil act approved June 28, 1902, the sum of $25,000 was appropriated for 'remodeling, enlarging, and equipping complete' the free bath house at this place.

"Under this appropriation substantially a new bath house has been constructed, retaining the original two-story front as the administration part of the building. New bathing departments have been constructed and equipped with porcelain-lined bath tubs, built on the Roman system of placing the tubs on a level with the floor. This new house has modern equipments, with commodious cooling and dressing rooms, with private lockers for clothing; has cement floors thruout; is heated by steam and is well lighted and ventilated, and occupies about all the available space of this site.

"This new house was completed and opened to the public in January of this year, and was supposed to be adequate to meet all demands made upon it by the indigent class for whose benefit it was inaugurated; but with the advent of the new house came an avalanche of applications for the privilege of baths, with which we can hardly cope, either in capacity, service, or volume of water. The fame of the free bath house seems to have been heralded far and wide with the effect of overwhelming this house, and to successfully meet the demands upon it requires patience, forbearance, and hard work on the part of the management and attendants. It is apparent to my mind that the applications for these free baths are going to increase to such an extent as to far exceed the capacity of the house. The house is furnished with water both by gravity flow and by pumping, and the large pump is kept going almost constantly night and day, and yet we can hardly meet the demnand."

The conditions enumerated in the above continue and are intensified; the applications continue to increase, but by severe methods the crowd has been held down to the capacity of the house, which is the best we can do. Taking into consideration the character of most of the applicants, the operation of the house from a strictly sanitary standpoint is a problem; the majority are from the lower walks of life and present themselves in all conditions of personal attire and physical condition, many of them so revolting and offensive from neglect and lack of treatment as to shock the senses of the observer. Many are so helpless that they must be assisted by the attendants, and many are so filthy as to be offensive.

The operation of this house, even under the difficulties encountered, is a great boon to suffering humanity, a great charity which has ministered to the relief of thousands of indigent sufferers, and a benevolence by the Government which is greatly appreciated.

Conditions at this house have not changed, and this institution is probably the source of more adverse comment and criticism of the Department and the method of administering this charity than any other feature of supervision. I confess that I see no way of meeting the conceptions of the general public as to the proper scope of this institution except in the expenditure of vast appropriations in the erection of a more commodious house, with vastly superior equipment, coupled with improved bath service, which shall include medical attention, bath servants, and all the accessories of luxurious bathing. I realize the force of the arguments constantly made that this free bath house does not fill the measure of expectancy of the public as to the duty of the Government in this matter, and that if this charity is to be dispensed at all it should be done on a scale far more extensive and superior in all details. Under present conditions and with the facilities at hand we are simply doing the best we can with a perplexing problem, trying to do the greatest good to the greatest number and at the same time keep within the spirit of the brief act of Congress authorizing the maintenance of this house. We are censured by the general public for not doing more for the indigent, and on the other hand, we are deluged with complaints from the lessees of other bath houses who pay water rents to the Government, and who assert that this free bath house comes in direct conflict and competition with their houses.

The following table is given, showing the results accomplished at the free bath house for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1906:

Net cost to Government, 2-1/2 cents per bath.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Having faith in the merits and efficacy of the hot waters and their inestimable value to mankind, and believing that the properties of healing have been thoroly established by years of experience; that all doubts have been removed; that the experimental stage has been past; and that the future reputation of their curative powers are assured, the Government should adopt a plan for the operation of this trust whereby this resort may become a national sanitarium conducted upon scientific lines, with an equipment extensive enough to meet present and future demands, and that will give the widest opportunity of its advantages to the public who wish to avail themselves of the benefits to be derived from the use of the waters. Perhaps it may not be improper to suggest the advisability of creating a commission to study this situation and report a plan for the consideration of the Department looking to the future operation of this resort by the National Government, with a view of displacing the present lease system and supplant it with direct Government supervision and control.

My individual views on this subject have been stated in former reports, and I can not do more than to reiterate my suggestions and recommendations made heretofore along this line. I am firmly convinced that the achievements of the past and the needs of the future fully justify the exploitation of this resort upon broader lines under complete Government control of the bathing interests. When this is accomplished, then, and only then, will the famous advertisement of the Commercial League of the city, viz, "Owned, operated, and controlled by the United States Government," be a reality in fact, and when this is done recommendations may be consistently made for appropriations sufficient to further extend the recreative features of the resort by beautifying and adorning the reservation, based upon mature plans and specifications by competent landscape architects, to be made a valuable adjunct to the healing waters.

Considering the situation generally and the unsatisfactory local conditions, I am of the opinion that existing improvements are sufficient for the present, or until some proper appreciation of the efforts of the Government is shown by the municipality and such cooperation is extended as will make Department policies effective. I have no recommendations to make for extended improvements at this time beyond necessary repairs from time to time, and such other incidental improvements as may be suggested by exigencies which may arise as necessary for the effectual administration of the reservation.

From my report of last year I beg to reproduce the following:

The importance of this reservation is constantly increasing; the extension of the system of general improvements increases the necessity for constant repairs. The natural growth and expansion of the patronage of this resort create constant demand for improvements of various kinds. If the present system of operating the reservation is to continue, it is fair to assume that a natural increase in the fixt charges for operating same must ensue in order to keep pace with demands. To meet these increased expenses necessitates some increase in the revenues. The total income from water and ground rents is now practically consumed by the expense of operating the reservation and making some minor repairs, leaving only a small balance, which precludes any improvements of an extended character. I therefore recommend for the consideration of tine Department the advisability of increasing the water rents from $30 to $35 per tub per annum. This is a conservative increase fully justified by present conditions. I am satisfied that the Government is not receiving its just proportion of the income from the reservation, and that this or more increase should be made.

The above statements are more applicable to-day than ever before. Rentals ought to be increased in order to provide adequate revenue for the maintenance of the reservation and future improvements, and is justified by existing conditions. The increase suggested is mild, considering the valuable franchises granted the lessees, the remunerative returns, and the character of equipment and accomodations furnished. The Department now has the power to make these increases at any time, as all recent leases reserves that right to the Department, while all former leases provided for readjustment of rentals at every period of five years.

I respectfully renew my previous recommendation for a sale of the remaining unsold Government lots. I have consistently repeated this recommendation in my several annual reports and the reasons for this sale are just as forceful and potent to-day as ever. We need the revenue for improvements. Their values have reached probably the high-water mark, and their retention works a hardship and injustice upon the city, inasmuch as they are not taxable and can not be improved or made into home sites. They obstruct the building of sidewalks and present ragged, unsightly spots at various points thruout the city, affecting very much the harmonious appearance of the improved section.

In this connection I beg to recommend for the consideration of the Department the advisability of selling what is known as the lower or east end, Whittington Park Lake tract. This tract contains 43,600 square feet, and since the filling up of the lakes has been completed it is plain that its use as a park is of comparatively no consequence and in its present condition is not suited for park purposes; it is detached from the balance of the park proper, a wide and well-graded street separating it from the other property, and being thus detached it is simply a dead end with no recreative features. Being unnecessary to retain it I respectfully recommend that it be subdivided into building lots and included in any future sale that may be ordered.

The great interest manifested in Hot Springs as a health resort and the consequent demand for reliable information and data concerning it has suggested to me the advisability of preparing an official handbook of this reservation to be published under authority of the Department, which shall include historical data, the plan of operation by the Government, the diseases cured and benefited, improvements, methods of bathing and treatment, rules and regulations, and such other matters of detail information as may be of use to the public. These matters have been reviewed in a brief fragmentary way by the various superintendents in their several annual reports until their reproduction becomes stale; yet, this is the very information sought by the public, who seem to-think that as a matter of course some standard, reliable booklet covering all phases of the information desired can certainly be obtained upon application to this office. We are unable to furnish them anything bearing upon this subject except copies of such annual reports as may have included the data desired. Considering the limited number of these reports furnished subordinate officers, the supply is soon exhausted, leaving nothing but advertising pamphlets, which are circulated in various forms through private enterprise, or through the medium of the Business Men's League, and which bears upon its face the imprints of commercialism and does not satisfy the public that the information given is entirely reliable.

In harmony with my recommendation above made for repairs to existing improvements, I beg to state that the roads and drives already made are in need of repairs beyond the ability of my little regular force to cope with. It is almost impossible to keep up with this extensive work with this small force without some additional allotments. The new roads have suffered from the ravages of the heavy rains and require attention. To keep these roads in good repair requires almost constant work, and the demands upon the time of our men are so extensive that we find it impossible to reach all of it. I therefor respectfully recommend that the sum of $800 be allotted for repairs to roads and drives in order that they may be trimmed up and graded before the advent of the busy season.

The main granitoid walk thru reserve park, which has been in constant use for several years and owing to faulty construction, is showing many unsightly defects which should receive attention. Many of these defective blocks have been replaced from time to time by our regular force with material on hand or purchased from contingent fund. So much of it now needs repairing that I respectfully recommend the allotment of $150 for the purchase of material for this work, as our force will perform the labor, and it is only for the material that the allotment is necessary.

HOT SPRINGS AS A HEALTH RESORT AND THE GENERAL PLAN OF ADMINISTRATION.

For a century these healing waters have had some renown as a cure place. As early as 1832 the Government recognized the future value of these thermal waters and set apart this reservation for the benefit of the people. Beginning with 1878 it has continuously since that date exercised supervision over the reservation, under a general plan and rules for the administration of the property whereby the benefits of these waters would have the widest field of usefulness, and while much has been accomplished I regret to state that in my opinion part of the general plan adopted was an error and the present plan of operating the bathing interests on the reservation is far from perfection and open to adverse criticism.

The greatest error, and one that constantly impresses itself upon the observer, was the sale by the Government of any part of the Hot Springs Reservation. The parting by the Government with its title to property abutting the reservation on which the hot springs are located, permitted the building up near the permanent reservation of a municipality, with its concomitant evils of political government and morals. Over the city of Hot Springs Congress has no control, and can not, therefore, provide for the protection or care of strangers visiting this resort in search of health through the use of the waters from the hot springs.

While the Secretary of the Interior has earnestly endeavored to develop and exploit this resort in a manner commensurate with the merits of its healing waters, the Department has been lamentably hampered by an almost total lack of cooperation and support from the city and county government.

This condition is almost inexplicable when it is considered that all property values here rest almost wholly upon the virtues of the waters and the proper administration thereof by the General Government. So manifest are the interests of the city proper dependent upon the successful operation of this reservation that it seems to follow as a natural consequence that the intelligence of the community would compel an earnest and loyal support of the Government wherein it endeavored to protect the sick and afflicted who come here, and would hasten to aid and assist in any general plan for the extension of the benefits of its waters, with full protection against imposition, extortion, or monopoly; any other course on the part of the city is apparently tempting fate. Notwithstanding this indifference on the part of municipal officials in seeking to enforce the laws for the protection of the visiting public and promoting public morals, some strong sentiment has been created, and there is a strong, healthy, vigorous element here, composed of good citizens, and able, honorable, ethical doctors who are courageously battling for the right and are aiding and assisting the Government in all its efforts to promote the interests of the resort.

In spite of all adverse conditions this resort may be said to be constantly growing in public favor; the patronage is increasing each year, and the year just closed is no exception. The estimate furnished this office by the transportation companies indicate a slight increase for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1906. This can be assumed as a substantial growth when it is considered that the presence of yellow fever in the South, with its resultant restrictions of travel through quarantine regulations, affected the patronage of the resort materially over a period of three months. The field of application of the uses of the waters has constantly broadened, until now the range and variety of diseases treated covers almost all human ailments—a great boon to suffering humanity, whose virtues are proclaimed by thousands of living, walking testimonials—and it will continue to flow in abundant volume to minister to the future multitudes who will avail themselves of its powers of healing.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

MARTIN A. EISELE,     
Superintendent.

The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.