The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-07
WASHINGTON NEWS.
An Exciting Discussion on the Matter of
Leasing the Bath Houses at
Hot Springs.
The Senate Bill Reducing Pension
Agents Fees-Deputy Mar
ehai Investigation
Closed.
HOT SPRINGS, OF ARKANSAS.
To Lease or Not to Lease. is the Question


Special to the Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, Feb 6.-It seems that great
deal of interest is being worked up here, in
Arkansas and other parts of the country
over the proposition to lease the Hot
Springs for a term of thirty years.
Persons who have visited that
famous resort for invaids will
entertain some anxiety in the matter when
they learn of the developments. The springs
were some years leased to private parties,
bat Lave been kept under the ee iera super
vision Of Government officer.
The leases have about expired aud
it is proposed to issue new once to the
highest responsible bidder. 1t is contended
by many that since the Government owns
! the property it should manage the bath
house and give the people the benefit OF the
healing waters at a cost Just suf-
fcient to pay the expenses of main
tanning the springs Others contend that
modations at as low figures, and that the
Government can not satisfactorily cater to
the people, and should not attempt it in the
I ma ter Of running bath houses. So ii goes.
Before the difference is settled there will be
Lively Congressional sparring.
Tne citizens of Arkansas are almost solidly
against the proposition to place the catering
| of the springs in the hands of the Govern
ment, and yet they stsrnly oppose the move
to lease them tor a long period. as the bill
now before the House provides. A letter
hes Just been received from a distinguished
citizen of the Springs, who has nothing but
the good of the resort at heart, and he says
| of the matter:
The Rogers Hot Springs bill to lease the
springs. bath houses and hotel sites for a
term of thirty years is opposed by every
citizen here, except those directly interested
in the control. For myself / am decidedly
opposed TO any more leases, unless they be
temporary. The feeling here is almost uni-
verssl for the Government to take charge OF
the Hot Springs reservation in toto"
A bill is inclosed in the letter, which the
writer says was approved by the citizens at
the Springs, and which was drafted by the
municipal officers and adopted at meeting
largely attended by everybody. The bill
will be introduced in Congress and
its passage urged. It provides for the
regulation of the Springs and placing them
in direct control of the Government. 1t d.
rects that the Secretary OF War shall detail
az armys sefficer to go to Hot Springs and
take charge of the place. He shall
take an inventary OF the bath
house property, return the invoice to
the Secretary of the Interior and the
roperty shall be bought by the Gov
eminent Then the BAH houses shall be
advertised and leased for a term of from one
to five years. br the lessees shall be required
to provide commodious baths at prices rang
ing from twenty TO forty cents each; also
free baths for poor people. The famous
'mud hole" bath shall be reserved for the
| INDECENT.
The rer t. from the bath-bouse are to be
| expended in providing additional accommo-
! dations, including a granite bath house,
with sections for all prices and free of cost
so that all may enjoy them, both sexes
Every body is TO be allowed to drink the
water free gratis.
Generally the bill looks 10 the use of the
springs by The common masses upon such
terms as will enabls every body to benefit
by them. 1t makes monopoly impossible.
There can be no corner" no stealing. no
deprivation. strong fight will b. made
for the measure, and all who visit the spring,
ere Interested in it.
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