Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-21
Annual Report Of the Super
intendent.
VISITORS INCREASING
PATRONAGE SHOWS GROWTH OF
80 PER CENT OVER 1902.
Mr.. Eisele Urges a Number of I'm
provements Which Will Add to the
Beauty of the Reservation.

The annual report of Mr.. Martin A.
Eisele, superintendent of the Hot Springs
Reservation. Hot Springs. Ark, has been
submitted to the Secretary of the Interior.
Mr.. Eisele's report is a document of ample
dimensions and covers every point that
could possibly be brought up in connection
with the great health resort over which
he presides. He reports. in part:
II am pleased to report the continued
prosperity of this remarkable health resort
The percentage of increase in the patron
age of these springs in the last four years
is most fraufying evidence of the great
curative properties of the waters. beg
to state that the increase In 1900 over the
previous years was approximately IS per
cent; the increase in 1901 over 1900 was 10
per cent; the increase in 1902 over 1901 was
Is per cent. The patronage of the fiscal
year just ended shows a total of 10000 WIS.,
ftors. or an increase over 1902 of SO per
cent"
Mr.. Esele makes the following recommen-
dations:
1.-The amount remaining to the credit of
the fund for protection and improvement
of the Hot Springs Reservation, Arkansas
at the close Of the fiscal year ended June
80 1903, was 81. 73155. This small balance
precludes the contemplation of any i'm
provements OF an extended character within
the revenues Of this reservation and will
only permit OF the consideration Of minor
improvements and repairs to existing work.
made at all, must be accomplished through
congressional appropriation
Urges Sale Of Machinery.
IT respectfully renew my recommendation
heretofore made that the boilers and pumps
and other appurtenances belonging to the
old original pumping plant be sold. This
machinery Is housed In a large room ad-
Joining the superintendent ONCE and has
| never been in USE having been stored since
the completion OF the pumping and dis
tribution plant in 1890 The abandon
cd renders this machinery useless
in the operation Of this reservation.
ana while ordinary care in It's preservation
has been maintained deterioration must
naturally follow I respectfully suggest
that this machinery be condemned and sold
and the proceeds be applied to the prepa-
ration of the room for the collection and
exhibition of mineral specimens quartz
! crystals, siliceous rock tufa, Indigenous
flora. and the other specimens Of peculiar
local interest There can be made at this
place valuable and interesting collection
which would prove of valuable Information
to visitors to this place recommend tina,
new roofs be placed upon the superintend-
entS residence and office. The present roofs
are of tin and have been in place approx
mating twelve years which is the average
life of this material in this climate and
while they have been protected by painting
there are defects which require early con-
sideration. l recommend that asbestos
roofing be put on over the tin roof and sug-
gest the allotment of $3.50, or so much
thereof as may be necessary. for this pur-
pose.
Owing to the passage of the act at the
last session of the Arkansas legislature APP
proved February 81 1903 ceding complete
jurisdiction over part of this reservation
to the United States, the authority and
D anvil 10TH Of hn tatp Enr
stating the passage of a special act by
Congress for the benefit of this reservation.
Heretofore, on account of the concurrent
jurisdiction of the state. we have tried mis-
demeanor cases In the local courts. 1t Is
now desirable that the United States COM
missioner at this place be designated as a
trial court, with power to assess fines in
misdemeanor cases to relieve the United
States court of this district of the annoy
ance of trying petty misdemeanors and
also the accused of long. ted Gus and expen-
sive trials In these small cases. A bill COW
ering the requirements in this matter is in
course of preparation and will be SUBJ
mitted to the department for cinsiderat ton
and approval and reference to Congress at
the approaching session.
Il desire to renew my recommendation
made in my annual report of 1902 relative
to the amending of the law Of 1891 by plac-
ing the power in the hands of the Secretary
of the Interior to regulate the rates of
water rentals at any time regardless of any
specified period; and also including clause
abrogating the fortytub limit provided for
in this law at any time in the discretion of
the Secretary, and permitting the placing
of tubs in private guests rooms in hotels
having bath houses attached.
Improvements Recommended.
The increased and growing popularity
of Hot Springs as a health and pleasure
resort justihes the national government in
improving it's property here to such an ex-
tent as will appeal to the large number
who visit this place. The work thus far
accomplished is now fairly creditable and
substantial, and IS much appreciated by the