The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-05-09

States, l have received countless
States indicating a great numb
great general interest in my r
1t is an historical fact that
Chief Washable, of the Shoshones,
one of the greatest of the Indian
statesmen, a man who persuaded
his people give up their hopeless
opposition to the advance Of
civilization, specified in his deliv-
cry of title to the Thermopolis,
Wyoming, Hot Springs area that
the springs should forever be
utilized for public good.
USED FOR GENERATIONS
His own people had used the
springs for countless generations
and, in seeing those lands surren-
dered to the white men, Washable
envisioned the great public ad-
vantages to which the springs
might be put.
An analogy might be drawn be-
tween Washakie's foresight and
the purposes of my resolution
which admits our waste of invalu-
able resources but seeks to plan
for their future development and
utilization.
I have been interested in q
Water Supply Paper, No. 679-B,
which was published in 1887 by
the United States Geological Sur
vey. 1t informs us that the earliest
investigations of our mineral
springs were made by physicians.
DATE BACK TO 1881
In 1881 we are informed a book
was published giving the location
Of 81 springs. A later edition, in
1855, gave the location of ISL
springs.
OF local interest Is the fact
that the earliest geologic study Of
thermal springs was made in 1910
by w. B. Rogers who reported on
the springs of Virginia.
The Geological Survey admits
that in its effort to compile in
formation regarding the mineral
waters, it is most difficult to obtain
o true picture because there has
been no uniformity in the way in
which chemical tests have been
made or, even more fundamental,
There is no general reliability given
to reported temperatures Of the
springs.
STANDARD SOUGHT
The purpose Of my resolution
Is to provide a standard of meas
urement and analysis and q
systematic survey.
It is represented that thermal
springs exist in twenty-one States.
OF 1859 recorded only 1877 are
developed for resort use. It is my
belief that as accurate as the
number of resorts may be the num-
Der Of springs is understated.
AS have said before it is not
my purpose to detract from the
business now enjoyed by the large
resorts which cater to persons of
means. I believe that the hundreds
Of unused springs may be devel-
oped to provide their benefits for
the population at large. In fact,
general advertising and recogni-
ton of benefits of mineral waters
would have, I am inclined to be-
lteve, a very good effect upon the
established commercial resorts.
OTHER VALUES LIKELY
I have spoken rather loosely of
thermal springs and mineral
springs but resolution such as
have offered would result in the
location Of waters bearing chemi-
Gals Of value other than those of
recognized medical use.
The increasing interest in the
Contro1 Of infantile paralysis and
its treatment makes survey of
our mineral springs very timely.
For those wealthy families into
which the disease strikes there
are, have been, and always will
be, facilities for the best treat
ment known. For the poor
families there are fine charitable
institutions and foundations
which provide treatment although,
It Is recognized the facilities are
not large enough nor of such
0umber to meet the demand.
SEEKS BENEFITS FOR ALL
I am interested in spas being
developed which would be avail
able to the general public. It Is
not necessary that they be lavish
but they should be numerous and
reasonable. They should be de-
veloped in order to be available
for those who are neither wealthy
nor charity clients.
1t would be impossible for me
TO discuss this matter of mineral
springs without referring to those
In my own State. They are so
numerous in Yellowstone Park
ChaG they are not Individually
counted. the groups Of the springs
are noted. At ThermopoliS, in
the State Park, the Big Horn
Springs, which I have mentioned
as having been reserved for pub
lie use by Chief Washable, dis
charge 100000 gallons of water
each day.
NEEDLE BATHS POPULAR
The State Park at Saratoga.
Wyoming, is being developed in
order to interest the public in
those springs. The Needle Baths