Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1881.djvu/97

 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. XLVI

accommodation of visitors, or to grant an exclusive privilegeof building

hotels to an association of persons having control of sufficient capital to

enable them to provide first-class accommodations, was a question which

was presented to the department for determination. The conclusion

was reached that the public interest would be better subserved by grant-

ing exclusive privileges to a firm having the control of ample capital to

provide the necessary accommodations.

Accordingly, on the 1st of September last a contract was made by this

department with Mr. Carroll T. Hobart, of Fargo, Dak., and Mr. Henry

F. Douglass, of Fort Yates, Dak., granting to them the use of tracts of

land, upon which they agree to build hotels of such design and dimen-

sions, and at such points as may be approved by the department, to run

such lines of stages within the park as the travel may render necessary,

and to construct lines of telegraph from the principal points in the park

to connect with the through lines constructed near it. It is provided in

the contract that no greater charges shall be made for accommodations

furnished and services rendered than those set forth in a schedule to be

approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

Messrs. Hobart and Douglass are certified to this department as per-

sons in all respects able to fulfill their contract. It is hoped that by the

opening of the season of travel next year visitors will find comfortable

accommodations provided for them. It is believed that the appropria-

tions for the improvement of the park heretofore made have been judi-

ciously expended in the construction of roads, bridges, and other im-

provements.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. M. TELLER,

Secretary.

The President.