New-York tribune., 1910-01-02
GUARD OF SPRINGS
Uncle Sam Takes Good Care
of Those an arkansas.

A few days ago Clifford Pinchot. the
Chief Forester of the United Stacea
charged that great private interests were
making strenuous efforts TO absorb for
their private profit the natural resources
OF the United States The United States
government has been occupied IN protect
ing natural resources for the public use
much longer than some persons perhaps
suppose It had fights on its hands over
them. also. before those OF the present
day
Many years ago the government under
took 70 control the famous hot Strings OF
Arkansas In 1918 the Quapaw Indians By
treaty ceded 10 the United States four sec
tons OF land surrounding the springs. The
total area was 25Zs acres. In 1872 Congress
constituted this tract trtfe larger than
West Point, a reservation For torry-four
years from this date private interests
sought to get control OF the land surround
ing the seventy-three springs
The numerous attempts TO enter The
lands and obtain title TO the property.
''gunshot right not iufrequently being the
basis OF claim 70 occupation. made the Hot
Springs reservation famous IN the history
OF land titles OF the country" This was
the language used in 1S7s by Jusrice Field.
OF the United States Supreme Court when
the title rested In the United States Ths
following year Congress created commits
sion to adjudicate squatter rights and gave
authority for the sale OF such lands A.
were not needed 70 prevent monopoly or
injury 10 the springs.
Since that time the government has e1-
pended upward OF million dollars In ths
Identification and protection Of these highly
curative springs. The creek flowing through
the valley and into whose bed q few OF
the springs rise has been arched over. A
system Of parks. covered with forest trees
and containing fine bouIevards and waikA
beautiful artificial lakes and landscape
gardening. has been developed in part
With one exception. the springs. which now
rumber forty-seven, have been covered
with masonry so that their waters cannot
Ee tampered with The water Is conveyed
by protected pipes into reservoirs or a.
rectIy TO the twenty-three bath houses On
and OFF the reservation The governments
maintains a free bathing establishment
for the INDECENT az which over 1e.eo
bathe annually, over % per cent being
benefited The prices OF baths and the
fees OF attendants at other establishments
are regulated by the Department OF the
Interior with severe penalties for deviation
Upward OF $4,000 baths are given In
year to 10000 persons The open spring
is for the use Of the public
The springs yield about $4,000 gallons
of mineral water a day. IT Is said that
De Soto sought 10 explore them as rhs
veritable fountain OF youth
Among those who seek TO make use OF
the valuable qualities OF the springs are
many professional ball players For ten
years the entire PittsbUrs club, which
won the championship this year and has
not been lower than fourth N the Ma
tionaI League championship contests in a
decade. has trained at Hot Springs
Other baseball players. also. go there. In
clUding many OF those who might be
termed the veterans. those who have been
playing ball successfully in the major and
minor leagues for from ten 70 twenty-five
years. Perhaps they have found in the
springs what Ponce de Leon and De Soto
sought