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.
