1957-07-01 Char-Koosta News

              Stephen Peone
St. Ignatius, Mont»
CHAR-KOOSTA
PUBLISHED BY CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES, FLATHEAD AGENCY, MONT.
Vol. 1 — No. 9
July, 1957
SMOKEY BEAR — Visits the Flathead Reservation. This picture, was taken last Labor Day when officials of the "Smoky Bear" program visited the Reservation for the purpose of finding out about the forest fire problems here. In the picture left to right, standing are: W. Howard Welton, Agency Forester, Mrs. Charlo,
Chief Charlo, Clarence Whitworth, Agency Frie Guard, Smoky Bear, and M. L. Os-born, Forest Manager. Kneeling from left to right, A. L. (Sam) Clairmont, For ester, Mr. Walter McDonald, Tribal chairman and Forrest R. Stone, Superintendent, now retired.
Stress Camas Hot Springs As a Business Enterprise
As we swing into mid-stream of another busy season at the Camas Hot Springs, (Bathhouse), not overlooking the mumbo-jumbo involved in serving a travel-hungry, limited-vacation-time public, I get a request from the Editor-in-Chief of the Char-Koosta, to submit an article for publication, time very limited, see Vacation Time Public above!, and with my limited assets, both mental and physical, I will do the best I can.
First, may I mention the proposed raise in rates. Some received their information in the minutes, others listened to some, who assumed it their responsibility and duty to pass the word; result, misunderstanding and confusion. May I ask at this time that as long as a business is in operation, isn't it appropriate and justified to discuss rates, whether the product is baths, or some other produce? There are to many things to take into consideration, the percent of net income on the investment, to name one og many. If it doesn't measure up, what must be done?
It may have been amusing, if it hadn't caused so much furor, to hear so many who, previously, seemed to be disatisfied with the Enterprise Income, condemn the proposed raise, how to please, PLEASE?
The rate, $1.00 per bath, was set in 1953. Our industrial accident rate jumped approximately 120 per cent two weeks ago, supplies, stores, and cost of operation have increased steadily. How much longer can we operate at current rates?
May I take this space to mention the fact that the Enterprise was comlimented by Mr. Duffy, a budget officer from the Arlee office, as to income, and all around operation, as being above any enterprise under Billings supervision. May we continue to receive such praise in the Future.
We are honored yearly with a visit from John W. Swanberg, who is here at present. (He now makes his home in Seattle, and has for the past several years) John first moved to Kalispell in 1890, and made his first trip to Hot Springs in 1896, by covered wagon, the trip taking four days. He pitched his two
Beware of Fire! Seasons Here
Once again the forests and ranges of the Flathead reservation are faced with the hazard of wild fires. Once again the forests and ranges are at the mercy of a carelessly flipped match or cigarette and at the mercy of a neglected camp fire. Every person must be extra careful during this hazardous period.
The forests and ranges are extra critical this year due primarily to the cool moist spring. The grass and brush are above normal in height and density. As soon as this dense grass becomes dry it burns extremely fast and hot. As most of us know, dry grass is highly inflammable and fire in dry grass can spread very rapidly.
Many of the fires on the Reservation are caused by lightning and up to the present time nothing can be done to prevent lightning storms. Research is progressing rather rapidly toward the goal of controlling lightning storms. When and if that goal is reached many potentially costly fires will be eliminated. However, man-caused fires will always be a matter of grave concern to everyone.
There are 1,118 miles of roads through the reservation ranges and forests, and in addition there are many miles of passable roads in recent logging areas. Each of these roads make it easier for people to travel — for work or for pleasure — through the reservation. It also increases the hazard for man-caused fires.
Scattered throughout the Reservation are over 15 campgrounds where families can gather for picnics, swimming and fishing. These campgrounds, with their concentration of people, are areas where the possibility of man-caused fires is very high. The increased use of the roads and campgrounds force each and everyone of us to do our utmost to prevent fires.
As Smoky Bear says: "ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES."
tent camp on the banks of Hot Springs Creek, then proceeded to the mud bath, which was an open affair with stakes driven at the corners, and gunny sacks from stake to stake to afford privacy for the bathers. A small log cabin housed a clear water spring where they went next to wash off the mud.
Every Sunday, the Chief rode into their camp, and collected the dollar for the week's use of the springs. At that time one dollar per family for a week was charged. Two weeks later the covered wagon came to start them on the four day journey back to Kalispell. John has made the pilgrimage yearly to this date.
Like the Chief, we members of the Tribe, all hold shares in the Bathhouse. At the same time we must remember it is a business, and it's prime purpose is to make money. It is here to serve the public, and the employees, myself as manager, should be proud that we are representing our people on behalf of the Bathhouse, and should carry on accordingly.
T. Pablo, Manager