Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1879.djvu/57

Rh a hardship will in time become an unbearable evil, unless some organized effort is made to properly care for those whose poverty and sufferings commend them to public sympathy. To provide for this growing necessity a suitable tract should be reserved from sale.

The west line of the permanent reservation forms the east line of Valley street, the principal business throughfare in the town. A substantial stone wall, to retain the filling in of earth necessary to elevate the line of the reservation to the grade adopted by the commissioners, should be built at as early a day as possible. As this wall would be located on the permanent reservation, the expense of its construction should be borne by the United States. A plan has been submitted by the superintendent showing extent and cost of the improvements. It will call for about 72,000 cubic feet of masonry, and would cost about $15,000. Recognizing the importance of this work, and the propriety of its cost being borne by the United States, I recommend that the money collected for rents of Hot Springs and covered into the Treasury by the late receiver, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be appropriated by Congress for the building of this wall, and for grading the ground within the permanent reservation so as to conform to the proposed grade of Valley street.

The law governing the sale of the Hot Springs property should be so modified as to permit entry upon and purchase, within three months of date of notice, of the lands that no one has an adjudicated right to purchase. As the law now stands these tracts of land cannot be sold until after the expiration of fifteen months, so that the growth of the town, so far as the occupation of new land goes, must be practically suspended during that time.

While there are good reasons for allowing a year's time for payment to those who have an adjudicated right to purchase, I can conceive of none for withholding all the lands from sale during this year of grace, and three months beyond, to cover period of public notice.

The necessity for this modification is so apparent that I recommend it to the early and favorable consideration of Congress.

The reduction of the water rents at the last session of Congress has made it impossible to carry out the projected improvements upon the reservation, the amount received being barely sufficient to pay the salary of and expenses incurred by the superintendent. If the reduction was intended to benefit those who use the waters, it has failed in its purpose, for the charge for bathing remains the same, and the only ones favored are the bath-house keepers. Considering the necessity for a reliable and sufficient revenue to maintain and improve the reservation, I recommend that the old rates be re ë stablished, so as to secure the funds necessary for the improvement of the reservation and the proper care and supervision of the grounds.