The "French" is not in existence, having been destroyed by fire some two or three years ago. The "Sumpter" is a hotel without tubs. The "water rent" on each is paid monthly in advance. Including these two, there are six houses off the reservation paying a water rent on 71 tubs of $177.50 per month or $2,130 per annum.

The Arlington Hotel is on the permanent reservation and pays an annual rental of $1,000, which is paid quarterly in advance.

I am unable to report the exact amount of expenditures for the year. My predecessor reserved that data from the files of this office when he retired. But from the monthly statements sent to this office during the year by the depository of public funds at Little Rock, Ark., I have been enabled to submit a close approximate. This gives total expenditures for the year, $6,368.90.

The account, receipts and expenditures, may be stated as follows:

This shows a net income to the Government on account of the Hot Springs Reservation of $6,121.10 for the fiscal year.

The free bath-house is an institution set apart by Congress, where the afflicted poor may come and take the baths without price or hindrance. "The superintendent shall provide and maintain a sufficient number of free baths for the use of the indigent." (Act of Congress approved December 16, 1878.) Under these conditions we furnish about 450 free baths each day, except Sundays. This aggregates about 12,000 per month, and 72,000 per year. It is with much inconvenience and crowding that this number can be accommodated with the present capacity of the house and pools; and the number of the afflicted poor seeking free.baths is constantly increasing. The attention of the Department has been called to the dilapidated condition of the free bathhouse building in three of the annual reports submitted by my predecessor. In his annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, he said:

The pools are so small (9 feet square) that sometimes standing room is not to be had in them. The building itself is a piece of patchwork, of rude construction, thrown together at different periods, the women's side being contracted, but fairly comfortable otherwise, whilst the part set aside for men is a small, flimsy shanty, uninhabitable in severe weather. Its entire appearance and reality is stunted, mean, and shabby; not in accord with the benevolent designs of the Department, and unworthy to be owned by this great Government.

What more need be said now?

In this connection, I may be permitted to call attention to the fact that, in relation to the free bath-house, the law imposes the duty directly upon the superintendent to "provide and maintain a sufficient number of free baths for the use of the indigent," but has left that officer wholly powerless to do anything without the sanction of the Secretary of the Interior.

Something ought to be done to improve and enlarge the free bathhouse and bathing pools. Congress, by act approved October 2, 1888

appropriated the sum of $5,000 for that purpose, but, with the exception of preparing and submitting to the Department plans, etc., for the improvements contemplated by Congress, nothing has been done. I recommend that this subject receive early attention.

By act of Congress approved October 2, 1888, the sum of $31,000 was appropriated" for providing a system of reservoirs, pumps, and piping, and for other purposes necessary to the collection and economical distribution of the hot water." This is a much needed improvement. Some surveys in relation to this work have been made, but beyond that nothing has been done, so far as I am informed. The present supply of hot water is barely sufficient for the demands of the bath-houses now in operation. There is an abundance here, but more than one-half of it runs to waste. I greatly fear that the increased demand for hot water consequent upon the completion of the commodious bath houses now under construction, which it is expected will be open to the public on or before January 1, 1890, can not be supplied under the present system of collection and distribution. It appears to be almost certain that unless some important changes and improvements be made within the next few months, the Government will find itself under obligations to furnish more hot water than it can control and distribute under the present system. I therefore respectfully call special attention to this subject. On the west front of the Hot Springs Mountain reservation, between the Arlington Hotel and Reserve avenue and the bath-house building line and Central avenue, there is a plot of ground about 1,400 feet long and averaging some 60 or 70 feet wide-being an area of about two acres-that was set in lawn-grass and young shade-trees last fall and winter by my predecessor. This is a level plat, bounded on the east by bath houses and on the west by Central avenue, the principal street and thoroughfare of this city. The culvert over the creek is beneath it the entire length, having been filled in and leveled after the completion of the masonry work over the creek. It is admirably located for a small park, in fact, it is the only piece of ground in "the valley" owned by the Government that is at all suited for such a purpose. The young trees-about 300 in number-transplanted and the grass seeded last fall and winter, are doing fairly well, owing to seasonable rains to this date. But as considerable of the area is immediately over the arched creek, the arch being covered with earth to the depth of 2 or 3 feet, and all of the filling being principally of clay and gravel from excavations near by, there is, in my opinion, great danger of losing the lawn and very many if not all of the young shade-trees when the dry, hot weather of the summer and fall comes on, unless some provision is made for water and for liberal sprinkling during the hot, dry season. I am impressed with the importance of preserving and maintaining this small park. But without a supply of water for the purposes indicated, the work and money already expended on the grounds mentioned will be almost if not entirely lost, and the Government will own a barren, dusty plat of ground along the principal street of this city where there ought to be a green, shady, and attractive park, a convenient place for out-of-door rest for the invalids who come here for treatment. I trust that this subject will receive early and favorable consideration.

I desire to invite your attention to the concurrent opinions and recommenda ions in relation to certain improvements as held and expressed by a continuous line of officials who have been assigned to duty here since the Government took charge of this reservation. Under the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1877, "Hot Springs Mountain" was set apart as the "permanent reservation." But the Hot Springs Commis

sioners, appointed under said act, after looking over the grounds and becoming familiar with the surroundings, in their final report said:

The Commission also recommend a reservation by Congress from sale of all the land included in the blocks covering the mountains. These lands are not needed for any purpose but as public grounds or parks, covered by shade-trees.

The chief engineer appointed by said Commission, in his final report, said:

The lines shown in the general plan upon the mountain blocks are simply designed to suggest the location of possible carriage roads, which may be constructed for drives at some future day.

Acting upon these recommendations, and in furtherance of the plans. suggested, Congress, by act approved June 16, 1880, made the following

reservation:

SEC. 3. That those divisions of the Hot Springs Reservation, known as the mountainous districts, not divided by streets on the maps made by the Commissioners, but known and defined on the map and in the report of the Commissioners as North Mountain, West Mountain, and Sugar Loaf Mountain, be, and the same are hereby, forever reserved from sale and dedicated to public use as parks, to be known, with Hot Springs Mountain, as the permanent reservation.

Mr. B. F. Kelly, the first superintendent of this reservation, in a letter to the Department, dated November, 1877, asked for a civil engineer "to lay off the mountain in drives and walks," and said:

Hot Springs Mountain is susceptible of being made one of the most beautiful and attractive parks in the country.

The following extract is from the report submitted to the Department, under date of October 31, 1882, by Mr. Alonzo Bell, late Assistant Secretary of the Interior, who visited Hot Springs in that year on official business in connection with this reservation:

The reservation of the West and North Mountains, thereby securing from spoliation the fine timber which covers them, was a public blessing, and will add materially to the future beauty and comfort of the place. The time will doubtless come when these mountains will be laid out into beautiful parks, with paths skirting their shady sides, and conveniently arranged outlooks on their summits, from which the visitor can enjoy the wild, magnificent scenery of the surrounding country. The reservation of these springs by the United States carries with it certain responsibilities which can not be ignored, and which no spirit of false economy should evade. The money value of these springs is beyond estimate; their therapeutic value can not be described in dollars and cents; they belong to those inestimable gifts of nature, freely bestowed, without price, yet priceless; a boon to suffering humanity that should never be restricted or monopolized by any combination of individuals. The design of the Government in retaining in itself control of these waters was to afford to the greatest number the greatest possible good, and by wise regulations prevent the possibility of extortion. The springs were to be the property of the States, the common heritage of all the people, free from local management, prejudice, or sectional control. They were to be purely national in their character, within the reach of all. The trust reposed by the people in the United States is a sacred one. It can not be wholly discharged by simply supervising the flow of the waters. The higher obligation rests upon it to fully develop the possibilities of the springs, by exhaustive scientific investigation, and by carefully attending to the sanitary requirements of the reservation and its surroundings. Under the fostering care of the United States, Hot Springs should become the great national sanitarium of the continent, its healthgiving waters attracting invalids from all parts of the world, and its natural scenery, beautified by art, inviting thousands to it, as a resort where health and pleasure may be found in a pure atmosphere and agreeable climate.

*

Superintendents Hamblen and Field urged the improvement of that portion of the reservation dedicated to public use as parks. Superintendent Field, in his annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885, aptly said:

Having faith in the remarkable curative properties of the springs, and since the Government holds them in trust for the public good, with an implied obligation to

extend their benefits as much as possible, I think the place should be made attractive, so that the afflicted may be induced to come, and so prolong their stay as to reap the full benefit of the waters. As a means to this end, I recommend that a sum of money be appropriated for the ornamentation of Hot Springs Mountain; at least that walks and seats be provided along its western slope, near the sources of the springs, so that invalids can have some retired and picturesque spot for exercise and rest. Though naturally beautiful, and susceptible of being made a charming resort, it is a wilderness, unfrequented except by an occasional tramp.

The foregoing opinions, arguments, and facts are presented in behalf of my earnest plea for an appropriation to improve and beautify a portion of the permanent reservation, by clearing the underbrush and laying out and building walks and drives about the mountains. It is a noteworthy fact that those who have been on the ground and made personal investigations concur in the recommendation that these improvements be made.

Many thousands of people visit this marvelous valley each year, and the number is constantly increasing as the years come and go. Each of the numerous wonderful cures adds additional fame to the mystic powers given to these waters by agencies unknown to man. The effect is known and felt by thousands, but science and learning have so far failed to discover or report the cause. They are truly one of nature's gracious blessings to man. The location of the Hot Springs here in this narrow, rugged valley, surrounded by lofty spurs of the Ozark Mountain, may be puzzling to man, but the inscrutable and beneficent purposes of the Creator will become manifest at the appointed time. These springs are no longer of local concern and reputation. Their name and fame have become national and world-wide. The afflicted from the lakes and the seas and from sunny climes and distant shores come here to be made whole, and are not disappointed. Capital and skill from many States have been attracted here to provide for the comfort and necessities of the thousands of visitors. Private capital and enterprise have done and are doing much in that direction. Spacious and well-appointed hotels and bath-houses are being erected. Indeed, this city seems to have been born again.

It would, then, appear proper and seasonable for the Government to keep pace with this grand onward march. Congress has reserved the four mountains overlooking this "valley of vapors" from sale, and dedicated them to public use as parks, where the visitor may have quiet and rest and invigorating atmosphere and enjoy scenery that is charming, sublime, and beautiful. Private capital is doing much more in this direction than the Government. But it is hoped that the Government will at least keep pace with private enterprise.

I therefore respectfully and earnestly recommend that an appropriation of not less than $10,000 be made by Congress, to be expended in clearing the underbrush and otherwise beautifying Hot Springs Mountain and in laying out and building walks and drives around and over the mountains constituting the permanent reservation. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK M. THOMPSON,

The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, D. C.

Superintendent.

REPORT

OF THE

ARCHITECT OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL.

OFFICE OF ARCHITECT UNITED STATES CAPITOL, Washington, D. C., July 1, 1889. SIR: As relates to the progress made, during the last fiscal year, on the various works under the control of this office, I have the honor to submit the following:

THE CAPITOL.

In addition to keeping the building in good repair, there have been various improvements made thereto.

The steam-heating has been extended to the committee-rooms and Senate library, in the attic story, of the old portion of the building.

New steam boilers have been placed in the vaults of the House of Representatives.

The Senate boilers have been in use all last winter, and have afforded an increase of power, with a perceptible saving of fuel. The House boilers have not yet been used.

Drinking-fountains have been placed in the connecting corridors of each wing of the building, at a cost of $1,202.37, leaving $297.63 on hand of the amount appropriated for the purpose.

The pictures in the Rotunda have been protected by strong brass railings, at a cost of $390, leaving an unexpended balance of $110 on account of that work.

The construction of a tunnel, for use with a power elevator, for the House wing is well under way.

The heating apparatus of both wings have worked satisfactorily dur ing the last session. The temperature of the House has never been higher than 71 degrees or lower than 69 degrees, Fahrenheit, any day during the winter months. This equality of temperature, considering the fluctuation of the number of persons visiting the galleries, is remarkable.

The Sawyer-Man Electric Company have used the electric-lighting plant in the Senate wing to the satisfaction of all, so far as the lights are concerned, but as the system used is considered objectionable, the plant has not been accepted, and, in consequence, no payment on account of the same has been made.

As the whole subject of electric lighting of the House wing has been referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, nothing further will be done in extending the present plant until further authority is given by Congress.