ning distances, elevations, and grades in connection with map on other side. ending unless marked -; grades marked are descending. HINNING AT CEN- ELEVATIONS ON PATH FROM CENTRAL AVENUE TO TOWER the northern portion of the city of Hot Springs, by way of Ramble, Ravine, and Dell Streets; approximately 600 feet of this road were completed in June, 1915. Construction of 6,645 cubic feet of retaining walls and 3,638 square feet of gutters along roads and in ravines on Hot Springs and West Mountains. Distribution of 453 yards of gravel and 22 yards of soil on the mountain roads. In addition to the above improvements completed, the department has recently authorized the paving with cement of the main entrance to the reservation leading off Central Avenue between the Fordyce and Maurice bathhouses, including sidewalks and gutters on both sides, the construction of two concrete foot bridges, walling up of ravines with rubble stone and cement, construction of retaining walls and concrete gutters and the installation of drain tiling on West Mountain, and the construction of approximately 6,000 feet of retaining wall and concrete gutters along the reservation side of the road leading through Happy Hollow, Fountain Street, to a point to be determined on Hot Springs Mountain, all of which work I expect to have completed early this fall. EMPLOYEES. There are at present 30 regular employees engaged in the administration, maintenance, protection, and care of the interests of the reservation. All of these employees were appointed from Arkansas under civil-service rules. A complete table showing the name, designation, and compensation of each employee follows: During the past fiscal year there have been but two changes in the personnel of the reservation employees, the present superintendent having succeeded Capt. Charles R. Trowbridge on August 4, 1914, and David W. Poda, laborer, having been appointed April 21, and entered upon duty April 27, 1915, to the vacancy caused by the death of Thomas Goins April 13, 1915. Also, on July 1, 1914, the salary of the clerk-stenographer in this office was increased from $1,000 to $1,200 per annum, and the salary of the supervisor was increased from $1,200 to $1,320 per annum. RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS. The receipts and disbursements on account of the Hot Springs Reservation during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, were as follows: Proceeds, sale of lots, special fund. July 1, 1915, balance remaining to credit of fund of $82,518, derived from sale of Government lots..... $4,972. 49 Protection and improvement, Hot Springs Reservation, indefinite (revenue fund). July 1, 1914, balance to credit of revenue fund.. Water rents.. Sale of 84 bath attendants' badges, at 24 cents.. Repay by disbursing officer, Interior Department, of amount disallowed in his accounts June, 1914, quarter, by Auditor for Interior Department, on 54-cent telegram paid in quarter ended March 31, 1914........ Total receipts..... Total available.... Disbursements: Salaries of superintendent and reservation employees, July 1, 1914, to June 30, 1915, inclusive ($28 paid by the department). Improvements, repairs, incidentals, and miscellaneous supplies....... Expended by superintendent... Additional expended by the department.. Total disbursements..... Available balance, July 1, 1915...... $62, 087. 94 $27, 757.50 20. 16 37, 877. 66 .16 37, 877.82 99, 965. 76 $26, 554.00 9, 528.90 36, 082.90 859.05 36, 941.95 GOVERNMENT FREE BATHHOUSE. 63, 023. 81 The Government free bathhouse has been operated during the past. year, in accordance with the acts of Congress of December 16, 1878, and March 2, 1911, for the use of the indigent, with the results shown. in the following table: Baths given at the Government free bathhouse during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. LEO N. LEVI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND BATHHOUSE. This building was completed and opened to the public November 1, 1914, on which date the hot water was turned on for the use of the bathhouse. This is a modern hospital structure and has been erected at a cost of more than $100,000. The bathhouse is modern in every detail and is operated exclusively as a charitable institution, as the rules of the association prohibit the taking of any person who has means. It is nonsectarian and any worthy person can be admitted, provided he complies with prescribed requirements. A staff of able physicians give their services free of charge for the benefit of the institution. The annual report from the Levi memorial bathhouse shows that from November 1, 1914, to June 30, 1915, there were given 1,670 baths at a total cost to the association of $1,153.90, although I believe from a perusal of the report that some of this expense is chargeable to the hospital rather than to the bathhouse. It is an extremely hard matter to arrive at the exact expenses for the reason that the two departments are operated as a whole. BATHHOUSES. During my incumbency I have endeavored to carry out the rules and regulations prescribed for the different bathhouses, and I may add that almost without exception I have had the hearty cooperation of the managers in so doing. I feel safe in saying, without fear of contradiction, that Hot Springs has the finest bathing facilities to be found anywhere in the world. There has been expended within the past four years approximately three-fourths of a million dollars in bathhouses and equipment, which includes the installation of the most scientific and improved methods as well as complete and sanitary equipment for bathing. The total receipts of the bathhouses for the fiscal year have been $200,629.21, which is approximately a decrease of 15 per cent as compared with the receipts of the previous year, but this is not attributed to a decrease in the popularity of this resort but rather to the depressed condition which is existing throughout the country on account of the European War. The total expenditures of the bathhouses have been $144,878.20, and the net profits are given at $57,936.49. There were given 480,227 paid baths, 1,812 complimentary baths, 125,988 free baths at the Government free bathhouse, and 1,670 free baths at the Levi memorial bathhouse, making a total of 609,697 baths given in Hot Springs bathhouses during the past fiscal year. On March 1, 1915, the new Fordyce bathhouse was opened to the public, after having been built and equipped at a cost exceeding $200,000. The Hale bathhouse was completely remodeled and opened to the public January 1, 1915. To reconstruct this house cost more than $50,000, and it has been opened to cater to persons desiring baths at a moderate cost. It has all the facilities necessary for sanitation and is equipped with all the essentials for giving the baths. However, it lacks many of the accessories which are enjoyed in the higherpriced houses. The Arlington and Eastman bathhouses, which were reconstructed last year, have been kept up to the standard and run in keeping with the hotels with which they are connected. The Imperial and Buckstaff bathhouses, which have been in operation for more than three years, have also been kept up to the standard and operated in such a manner as to give the public the best of services. The Maurice bathhouse, which was opened in the same year as the two above mentioned, has submitted plans and specifications for extensive improvements, which, when completed, will cost approximately $15,000. These plans have been approved by the department and work has been commenced. This is a first class bathhouse, operated along the same lines as all the other bathhouses charging the same rate. The Majestic and Moody bathhouses, the former having been rebuilt three years ago and the latter over a year ago, are both first class bathhouses, in good condition, well kept, and operated, in connection with their respective hotels, in a manner to give entire satisfaction to the public. The Great Northern bathhouse was closed to the public May 15, 1915, this being the date on which the lease expired. The Hot Springs bathhouse was closed to the public September 30, 1914, the lease having expired more than a year prior to that date. The property was later sold by the owners to the Arlington Hotel Co., and the expired lease has therefore not been renewed. The Rector bathhouse was closed to the public June 30, 1915, plans having been submitted to and approved by the department last November for the remodeling of this bathhouse, but this being so near the beginning of the season the lessee was given verbal permission to continue through the season, which was done and the bathhouse closed on the above date in order that the same might be remodeled in accordance with the approved plans. The St. Joseph's Infirmary bathhouse is comparatively speaking a new bathhouse, having been overhauled about a year ago, and is thoroughly equipped to cater to the first-class patronage which the infirmary enjoys. The Rockafellow bathhouse, which is operated in connection with the Rockafellow Hotel, also enjoys a considerable patronage_from adjacent hotels and boarding houses, and has been kept in good condition, having been repainted and renovated throughout just prior to January 1, 1915. The Alhambra bathhouse, the lease of which expires February 29, 1916, is operated at a moderate price in order to cater to persons not desiring to pay more for baths. This bathhouse is a substantial brick structure, but it will probably be necessary at the expiration of the lease to make extensive repairs. The Pythian sanitarium and bathhouse (colored) was completed and opened to the public December 27, 1914, although it was expected to open December 16, 1915. Water rent has been paid from that date, which was also the date of the lease. This is a good house. Considering the price charged, the administration of baths there will compare favorably with baths given in other low-priced houses. The Ozark sanatorium bathhouse, while a small one, is entirely sanitary and operated in a manner satisfactory to its patrons. The |