Section 14, which included the warm springs at the center of Palm Springs, and other sections surrounding Palm Springs, were "owned" by the Indians, but held "in trust" by the federal government; the Indians charged fees for bathing in the springs and picnicking in the canyon. In 1917, Congress passed the Allotment Act (39 Stat. 969, 976) which directed the Secretary of the Interior to divide and distribute the Indian land; Harry E. Wadsworth was appointed as the allotting agent.
Section 14, encompassing the hot springs in Palm Springs' center and surrounding areas, were held by Native Americans but managed by the federal government under a trust arrangement. The Indians charged fees for using the springs and picnicking in the canyon. In 1917, Congress enacted the Allotment Act (39 Stat. 969, 976), which authorized the Secretary of the Interior to divide and distribute Indian land; Harry E. Wadsworth was appointed as the agent responsible for this process.