Fees received by bath attendants in the bathhouses for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919. The past few years have demonstrated the necessity of the Government improving and beautifying the Hot Springs Reservation along permanent, substantial, and appropriate lines, the plans for which were prepared as a result of the appropriation of $10,000 from the revenues of the reservation contained in the sundry civil act approved June 12, 1917. These plans, which are now in Washington, have been made to include the numerous improvement schemes heretofore recommended by the superintendent, and have received the hearty approval of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior. The recommendation of last year that all the improvements provided for in these plans be carried to completion is hereby renewed, and it is recommended that estimates be presented to Congress for an appropriation approximating $500,000 to continue such portions of the work as may be determined to be most important, and which has had its beginning by providing an appropriation of $190,000 for the construction of the administration building, free bathhouse, and clinic. In the development of these plans this office has cooperated with the architects in order that they would be worked out in such manner as to attain the very best possible results. The most important of these improvements are enumerated as follows, together with the architects' estimate of cost at the time the plans were prepared, but which will, under present building conditions, exceed these estimates: Summary of costs. Strengthening impounding reservoir_. Two comfort stations on Bathhouse Row, at $13,534. Two comfort stations on each North, West, and Hot Springs Mountains and Main entrance and conservatory Concert-garden scheme Upper garden. Home for indigents. Major Hallock spring $3,500 27, 068 22, 104 169, 500 212, 635 122, 926 160, 000 Whittington Lake Park_ Two gateways near Government building. Secondary entrance New gorge road and bridges. Widening and surfacing mountain roads.. Surfacing connecting roads 207, 021 2, 600 2,400 500 212, 500 90,000 17, 200 Sanitary sewers without purification plant_ 28, 250 Drainage system as originally suggested in J. W. Barnett's report_ 458, 500 Street improvement_ 36, 400 New impounding reservoir.. 40, 000 Cleansing system for reservoirs. 14, 750 1, 821, 854 If bridges 12 feet wide are used on the Gorge road instead of 20 feet, deduct $17,000. If penetration method asphalt macadam roadway surface is used instead of sheet asphalt for the Gorge road, deduct $21,000. If 2,500,000-gallon capacity purification plant is included, with sanitary sewer system, add $98,000. If a Nuhoff tank, as described in Mr. Barnett's report, is used with the sanitary sewer system, add $30,000. If storm sewer system is built with reduced-size tunnel, as outlined in Ford & McCrea's report, deduct $133,500. If storm sewer system is built with relief sewer instead of tunnel, deduct $257,500. If tunnel is used for storm sewer system and concrete lining is omitted, deduct $50,000. Referring to the recommendation contained in my annual report last year relative to means of securing a substantial increase in the revenues of the reservation and the plan to accomplish this result by the adoption of a new rule, a draft of which has been heretofore submitted to the Service for consideration; and to Service letter of December 21, 1918, which stated that the Service was not able to recommend the adoption of this rule under existing laws, also expressing its appreciation of the inequity by which no return is made to the Government by the class which derives material benefit through the agencies of the hot water, I recommend that the necessary steps be taken to secure the necessary legislation to accomplish this purpose as soon as practicable. It may be best to prepare an amendment to the act of April 20, 1904, to cover the deficiencies in the law, as set forth in your letter, including a clause whereby the revenues derived therefrom be merged with the revenues collected from hot water and ground rent, to be expended in the same manner on the Hot Springs Reservation. In this connection, under authority of an act of the State legislature giving this authority to all cities of the first class within the State, the city of Hot Springs is putting into effect an occupation and privilege tax which becomes effective from and after October 1, 1919. CONCLUSION. If there have heretofore existed to the slightest degree any pessimistic views as to the future of Hof Springs as the world's greatest health-pleasure resort, they must certainly have been fully dispelled during the past few years. Year after year substantial gains in patronage are shown, and visitors departing sound the praises of Hot Springs, which condition has resulted from the strenuous work that has been done toward eliminating the drumming evil until it is almost extinct. The system of exploiting all the national parks by means of descriptive literature sent broadcast throughout the country has resulted in materially increasing the patronage here. The next few years will undoubtedly mark the accomplishment of all the improvements and beautification of the reservation heretofore proposed by this Service, which begins with the construction of the new administration building, free bathhouse, and clinic. When all these improvements shall have been completed and taken in connection with the natural scenic beauty with which the resort is surrounded, it will be the pride of all the Nation, as it will have no equal as a health-pleasure resort. My prediction of last year that additional modern, commodious, and attractive hotel facilities would be necessary to care for the increased patronage has been fully confirmed, and it is hoped this urgent need will be supplied in the near future. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. HORACE M. ALBRIGHT, superintendent Yellowstone Park, Wyo. GENERAL STATEMENT. The Yellowstone National Park was reserved from the public domain by act of Congress approved March 1, 1872,1 and dedicated as a "pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." When established the park was situated in a vast region which had been divided into a few territories, and practically all of which was embraced within the great Louisiana Purchase area. When these Territories were finally changed to States and the surveys were made of these new Commonwealths it was found that while the park was principally in Wyoming, it extended more than 2 miles into Montana on the north and almost 2 miles into Montana and Idaho on the west. The park is rectangular in shape, with east and west sides about 62 miles in length and north and south boundaries 54 miles long. The total area of the park is 3,348 square miles, or 2,142,720 acres, of which 3,114 square miles, or 1.992,960 acres, are in the State of Wyoming, 198 square miles, or 126,720 acres, are in the State of Montana, and 36 square miles, or 23,040 acres, are in the State of Idaho. It is the biggest park in the United States and next to the largest park in the world, being exceeded in area only by Jasper National Park, of the Dominion of Canada. The altitude of the park is 6,000 to 11,000 feet. The boundaries of the park have never been changed since they were first established In 1872. However, it is proposed now to extend the park lines to include the Teton Mountains, the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, the valley of Pacific Creek, and the country north of the Buffalo Fork of the Snake, taking in an area of approximately 1.265 square miles, most of which now lies in a forest reserve and two State game preserves. All of this land was withdrawn from settlement on July 8, 1918, in aid of pending legislation. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PARK, For 14 years after its establishment Yellowstone National Park was administered by civilian superintendents appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. With the exception of the first superintendent, N. P. Langford, one of the explorers of the park, who served five years without salary or any other emoluments and without assistance, these officers were aided by a few scouts. In the early eighties some very unsatisfactory conditions connected with the administration of the park were aired in Congress, and the result of these findings was the enactment of a law approved March 3, 1883, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to call upon the Secretary of War for details of troops to guard the park. Nevertheless, as long as funds were available to manage the park the Interior Department did not call for soldiers. At length Congress refused to appropriate any funds for the protection of the park, and on August 20, 1886, the civilian force was finally removed and a detachment of troops assumed control of the park, Capt. Moses Harris becoming the first military acting superintendent. 1 Secs. 2474 and 2475, R. S. (17 Stat., 32). Since my last annual report, Adelbert N. Byers, attendant at the government free bathhouse; Hiram N. Anderson, policeman (detailed as train inspector); and William II. Turner, policeman, have resigned, and the services of Bruno Hoffman, laborer, were discontinued without prejudice. George W. Withrow, policeman, and Harry J. Tully, policeman (detailed as train inspector), have been appointed. At the end of the fiscal year there remained four vacant positions to be filled. All employees who were eligible under act of Congress approved June 3, 1918, received increased compensation at the rate of $120 per annum. RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS. Receipts and disbursements on account of Hot Springs Reservation for the fiscal year ended June 30 were as follows: .do... 792 792 792 660 660 660 660 Proceeds sale of lots, special fund. July 1, 1919, balance remaining to credit of fund of $82,518 derived from sale of government lots--- Protection and improvement Hot Springs Reservation, indefinite (revenue $4, 972. 49 51, 062. 03 Disbursements: Salaries of superintendent and reservation employees------ 26, 526. 70 the department for payment, including traveling ex- 4, 935. 70 Available balance July 1, 1919_. 76, 013. 31 Salaries of regular employees on reservation, account increase of compensation, Department of the Interior, 1919. Back ground rent from the Arlington Hotel Co., for the period April 1, 1917, to June 30, 1918, $12,500, payment of which was withheld pending consideration of application for readjustment of rental, was collected. 3,238, 66 IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE. As was the case last year, no extensive permanent improvements have been made during this year by reason of the fact that some complications arose in connection with the proposed construction of the new administration building, free bathhouse, and clinic, all of which now appear to have been removed, so that it is possible that these buildings may be completed and in use before June 30, 1920. Provision has been made in the sundry civil act for 1920 for expenditures totaling $190,000 for this purpose. Extreme care has been taken in the maintenance of the improvements on the reservation, and it is believed the reservation never presented a more attractive appearance than during this year. It has taxed our regular force of laborers to the utmost to keep up this work. It has been necessary to devote much time to the maintenance and upkeep of the system of mountain roadways, which is one of the most pleasing features of this resort. During the year 946 yards of gravel have been hauled and distributed at points where necessary for building up and surfacing the roads. The gutters and catch basins on the sides of the roads have been kept thoroughly cleaned out, and the roads dragged and grassed as occasion required. Special attention has been given to the cultivation of hedges, shrubbery, and flowers, An unusually severe winter caused the top of the beautiful box hedge along the reservation front to freeze and die, so that it became necessary to cut the hedge down to a height of about 8 inches in order to facilitate its growth. In some instances the roots had died. and it was necessary to set out new plants. It has been carefully cultivated and its renewed growth has been rapid. During his visit here in November the director of the National Park Service took much interest in the beautification of the reservation, and ordered a larger quantity of bulbs for planting this year than has been customary heretofore. Approximately 9,930 tulips of various colors, 4,000 narcissus, and 1,500 red, white, and blue hyacinths, a total of approximately 15,430 bulbs, were received and planted on the reservation. About the time these bulbs were received, and at the instance of the director, Mr. Jens Jensen, the famous landscape artist of Chicago, came to visit the reservation, and made sugges tions as to planting, arrangement of color schemes, etc., which were carried out, with the result that during the early spring the reservation presented an unusually beautiful appearance, which elicited expressions of favorable comment from the visiting public. The roses also have been extremely beautiful this year, as have all the plants and shrubbery in their season, due to the careful cultivation received. All lawns on the reservation, including the west slope of Hot Springs Mountain, have been kept neatly trimmed. Winter grass seed was sown in November, so that the lawns might retain their greenish hue during the winter months, which makes them exceptionally attractive to visitors. The 423 four-foot park benches were repaired and thoroughly painted with two coats of paint. When finished and distributed for use they had the appearance of new benches. All the White Way electric-light poles on the reservation front were given two coats of paint, the body and arms being an attractive pea green, and bronze green base. All the electric-light poles along Hot Springs Mountain road and in Whittington Lake Park were given a coat of black paint. All the hand railings across concrete bridges and at various danger points where precipices occur were also given a coat of black paint. Much work has been done in Whittington Lake Park to promote its attractiveness, and it is becoming more popular each year. Repairs were made on the tennis court. The three old toilet equipments were removed from the brick comfort station and three modern toilets installed therein, bringing it to a satisfactory sanitary condition. A quantity of fallen timber which had accumulated on the reservation was cut up and 98 cords of wood secured for fuel, most of which was used at the government free bathhouse. All pumps, pipe, and sewer lines have been maintained by repairs and renewed wherever The Government free bathhouse has been operated during the past year for the indigent in accordance with the acts of Congress of December 16, 1878, and March 2, 1911, with the following results: Baths given to White males. Colored males. Colored females----- Total number baths given... 87, 040 The average number of persons bathed daily at the free bathhouse was 285. By reference to the above table, it is noted that there is a decrease of 10,590 in the total number of baths given as compared with last year. with act of March 2, 1911, which provides that only persons without and unable to obtain funds to pay for baths shall be eligible to admission to the free bathhouse, is largely The strict compliance required responsible for this decrease, together with the fact that it appears that more people are able to pay for baths than formerly on account of the prosperous condition of the country generally. This bathhouse has filled a most worthy mission to diseased and suffering humanity which otherwise would be unable to avail itself of the great benefits to be derived from bathing in these healing waters. The existence of this old institution is nearing an end, as in its stead, on another location, a free bathhouse and clinic is to be constructed on most substantial and modern lines, and equipped with all modern facilities. of the city of Hot Springs, Ark., which is on the opposite side of Reserve Avenue from the reservation, has been offered by the city of Hot Springs and tentatively accepted by the Block 82 department as the site for the new free bathhouse and clinic, and an appropriation of $190,000 provided for in the current sundry civil act for its construction, less the amount which will be required for the new administration building. FREE CLINIC. The free clinic which is operated in the rooms over the government free bathhouse has been continued during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919. this work are registered and give a portion of their time between the hours of 1 and 3 p. m. each day except Sundays and legal holidays. The only persons treated here are The physicians engaged in Indigent free bathers who can not secure funds with which to pay for professional services. Despite the inconvenience on account of insufficient quarters and equipment and the lack of laboratory facilities the report from the clinic shows a gain over last year. The Wassermann and other blood and serum tests were made in connection with cases treated for the purpose of diagnostic confirmation. A report from the genito-urinary clinic states that 249 cases were treated with the following results: No results, due to insufficient treatment. Slight improvement_ Much improvement.. Cured 61 65 58 65 The daily average attendance in the various months was from 10 to 30; mean average, 20. The approximate number of personal treatments given was 6,200. diseases were treated in this clinic: Gonorrhea, acute and chronic; cystitis; urethral stricture; prostatic hypertrophy; rheumatism, gonococcal; epididimitis, gonococcal. The following The skin-syphilis clinic was operated continuously during the fiscal year. shows the following results obtained, with the 278 cases treated: The report Insufficient observation.. 87 Slightly improved. 21 ------ Much improved 170 The daily average attendance during the various months was from 5 to 12. were treated for syphilis, primary, secondary, and tertiary. These cases The results of observations of these cases in connection with the baths confirm the studies made by the physicians and given in my report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918. The continued observations made by the physicians relative to the therapeutic value of the water confirm the studies made before, and mentioned somewhat in detail in my 1918 report. The effects of the baths on the body temperature, the polynuclear cells and phagocytic power of the blood encourage the belief that the benefits derived from the Hot Springs mineral water are due to its action on metabolism and elimination, and the medical conditions most benefited are those in which the disturbances are due to a toxemia, either of bacterial or metabolic origin. The 527 dismissed or leaving the genito-urinary and skin-syphilis clinics during the year came from the following States: |