The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-24
TEE v1LLEr or vAPoRa
TIE Goveru-eap- Reservations - n,
sprf4rs and Etc Inprovsment.

spri,ss and Iis Improvsment.
WASHINGTON. April 23-Few people who
have not specially examined the subject are
aware Of the extent to which the Government
reservation at Hot Springs, In Arkansas. has
been fitted up. The act Of 1877 authorized its
laying out in lots and squares with the re-
quired thorou Rhfares. the removal OF existing
distractions. and the reservation OF the
springs and the mountain areas. Other acts
have regulated the leases Of the hotel sites
and the rentals Of bath privileges, By
judlclous action a considerable sum Is derived
from these leases, which IL applicable to the
improvement OF the reservation. For long
time rentals were very low. and Secretary
Noble once charged that secret assign ents Of
leases Of bath privileges made II possible for a
very few men TO control the greater number Of
them. and to distribute the earnings on agreed
ratings. In the report OF his successor. how
ever, no charges or com plants OF this character
appear
The Hot Springs reservation contains about
$3.50 acres The four m mountain reservations
belonging to the Government comprise a frao-
tion over 300 acres. and under the law are for
ever set apart for use as public parks. as were
also unsold lots. From the west side and base
OF one OF these mountains issues all the hot
springs. seventy one In mum Der. and varying
before last the work OF improving the Govern
ment grounds was begun with a special fund Of
$1,000. Appropriated by Congress. and also q
sum Of SIS. 900 derived from the sales OF public
lots In ths.t together with the rents al
ready spoken Of Lieut. II. r. Stevens. Sixth
Infantry, was put in charge Of the work. which
was extended to include valley tract Of about
ten acres called the Lake Reserve that was
to be imp proved as water park The engineer
ing and landscape work has since been carried
on with success. Up to the middle OF last year
about $4,000 had been expended out Of the
$50. 900 in hand. Lieut. Stevens. however.
drew up estimates Of proposed improvements.
consisting Of fountains. pavllions. buildings
for shelter. creek arches. hot water reservoirs.
&c, aggregating s3I7 .j93 ~. or course. Il
these plans were ever carried out they would
impounding reservoir and pumping station
completed IN 1901 collect large quantity OF
furnish FUR water to houses to be 20 erected Under
existing leases that are not yet supplied with
water. and also to supply water under such
Govern m emit was the Hot Springs Creek arch.
runs. in the centre OF the valley. forming the
chief street OF the town.
Arlineson Hntee erectsd undsr Ieass snthors
last spring. Its bathing tsblishment has 40
tubs other bath houses on the reservation
are the Imperial, with % bathing and u va
nor rooms thu Lamar. with 40 tubs; the RAJ
melsburg. with IL; the Ozark, with ~: the
Magn esia and Horseshoe, with 30 each: the
Palace. with -; the Maurice. with 81 the Old
Hale. with 20, and the superior. with ~. OF!
the reservation. in the town. and supplied
from the springs. are the Eastman. the Park.
and the Alhambra with ~ tups each the
New. with lB tubs: the Rockatellow and Ave-
nue.. with 20 each. and the 81. Joseph's In;
frmsry. with four. The Govern ments annual
Income from water and ground rents is put
In the report, at SID, $50; and Its expenditures
apart from fuel and lights. at 81, 400. leaving
balance Of over SlO.OOO available for inn
provements. With the operation Of other
leases which have been granted, this sum
will lie increased TO Sl2.5OO.
An Interesting feature In the free bath house.
which at last accounts furni shed q daily aver
age OF about 900 baths II Ia a boon to the
poor. and Its privileges are sometimes used.
as a matter OF economy. By some who do not
belong TO the INDECENT, for whom 1t was in
tended. Taken as a whole. the Hot Springs
reservation seems tn he in good condition. aud
certainly Is able to support itself and have a
current fund for improveme nts. except those
carried out on the extensive scale recon-
ed by Lieut., Stevens,