8A THE OGDEN STANDARD-EXAMINER OGDEN, UTAH, SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 27, 1956 CONTAINS MAGIC POWERS? Lava Hot Spring Owned By State Pays for Self LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho (AP) - Thousands of tourists and arthritic sufferers annually bathe in the bubbling, warm, crystal clear water of Lava Hot Springs. The state owns and operates it. It is the only state-owned service in Idaho which is self-supporting. Indians from the Shoshone and Bannock tribes of early America believed the springs to contain magic powers. Some of the present-day natives of America still think so. Silver-haired J. C. Rich of Montpelier, Idaho, comes to bathe each year. Ten years ago, he said pain from neuritis kept him from sleeping in a bed. “Had to sleep wrapped up in blankets in a chair,” he said. “The pain was terrible. I took shots and medicine and all that stuff. Finally I came here. In two months I was relieved. I give the water all the credit.” NO SUCH CLAIMS But the state foundation makes no such claims. Physicians say no cure has been proved, but admit the general psychological comfort which sometimes come from such warm bathes. “Frankly, I think the wonderful Idaho sun does almost as much good as the water,” says Mrs. Marion Carlstrom of Pocatello. The springs is a natural sunken garden among lava rocks. Flowers and shrubs brighten the terraced surrounding walks and sun deck. A pained, man-made metal umbrella provides shade. There are two health pools, both with dressing rooms, an outdoor as well as an indoor swimming pool, and a six-hole golf course nearby. A retired, rich cattleman from Malad, Idaho, area is chairman of the foundation’s board. He is Max Cohn who retired 12 years ago and took over the foundation. He is largely responsible for making it self-supporting. ASKS APPROPRIATIONS Cohn is seen before the Legislature every two years, asking for appropriations - not for operating expenses, since it is not needed - but for improvements. He says he would rather use state funds for improvement rather than raising the rates which would make it more expensive for the public. Most of the facilities are free. The springs was set up as a resort by the state June 13, 1902, when the federal government turned it over to Idaho. Besides the health attraction, there is plentiful fishing and hunting in season. The mineral water is so clear and nice stasting - with no smell - that people often bottle it to take home.