202 
fashionable dress of our modern graves some of 
the homely virtues of the epitaph. Let us write 
upon the grand memorial a simple sentence, so 
that art may not banish sentiment from the land 
of the dead. 
“Pricing of Cemetery Lots’’ was dis- 
cussed by W. N. Rudd of Chicago, and is 
printed in full on another page. 
H. C. Bassinger, Superintendent of 
Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Mich., 
spoke on “Service” as follows: 
“SERVICE.” 
By H. C. Bassinger. 
In this age of progress ■s^'hat profession can be 
of greater service to mankind than that of ours, 
serving with a genuine sympathy those in bereave- 
ment as well as taking care of their needs with 
the required executive ability. 
I believe the modern cemetery should endeavor 
to embody all that is beautiful, following very 
closely the plans of nature, as laid out for us 
by the Great Architect of tlie universe. May 
we, as His students, follow with love and in- 
spiration the teachings He has set forth. 
In laying out the grounds, that has been se- 
lected as the cemetery location, we should en- 
hance the natural beauties of the land by ju- 
dicious planting, consistent with the proposed 
plans. The contour of the ground often lends 
itself to the formation of lakelets and waterfalls. 
These can be used to advantage. The murmur- 
ing of a waterfall, as it winds its peaceful way 
overhill and dell, into a clear lakelet, gives forth 
that sympathetic comfort, that aids in soothing 
the perturbed minds of those who linger there. 
The roadways are of vital importance in serv- 
ice to our patrons. In this age, of automotive 
conveyances, the citizen always appreciates trav- 
eling on good roads, whether it be in boulevards, 
parkways or cemeteries. Therefore, our roads 
must be thoroughly drained and of good con- 
struction. 
When dividing the sections, into lots or single 
graves, we must bear in mind the general out- 
line of the land, the future development of each 
lot and particularly the location of the memorials 
with relation to the surroundings. To minimize 
the pallbearers’ burden, the width of sections 
should make all lots easily accessible fr( m drive- 
ways. The lots should be laid out, in an econom- 
ical manner and of various sizes, to meet the re- 
(piirements of all classes of jiurchasers, each lot 
to be permanently marked off, by small numer- 
ical stones and the single graves numbered at the 
head; thus enabling all to locate the last resting 
I lace of their dear ones. 
We can render personal service to the lot buyer 
by providing a coiu’eyance to the various loca- 
tions: assisting in the selection of a lot suitable 
for their requirements and determining the po- 
sition of interments to be made therein. If we 
wish to truly aid them in the choice of a lot 
with wldch they will he satisfied, our advice in 
the matter, must not be biased by commercial 
considerations. Arrangements should be made al- 
lowing time for the payment of same if neces- 
sary. 
When conveying the earthly form of the de- 
parted to the bosom of mother earth, the harsh- 
ness of the open grave can be eliminated by the 
copious use of evergreen trimming, lowering de- 
vice, matting, chairs, tent, etc. A well appoint- 
ed chapel for services, and receiving vault for 
the temporary dispcsal of the remains is a neces- 
sity. The bereaved may wish to await the ar- 
rival of relatives or spend more time in the se- 
lection of a last resting place. Tlie growing 
demand for cremation, makes important a com- 
plete crematorium. The attendants in charge of 
funerals shall be neatly uniformed and on the 
alert to assist at every opportunity. After the 
floral designs have withered they should be re- 
moved and the grave immediately sodded. The 
grass shall be njown and the lot cleaned perpet- 
ually free of charge. There must be for the 
convenience of lot owners, adequately equipped 
administration buildings, records, conveyances to 
the various i arts of the grounds, water hydrants, 
sprinkling cans, rubbish receptacles, painting of 
benches and urns, etc. 
Few people realize the advantage of securing 
a lot before needed and are then placed in a 
position which compels the purchase of a single 
grave; therefore, a service can be rendered by 
acquainting them with the fact that family lots 
are obtainable at a nominal cost and the bodies 
removed to same. 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
The cemetery authorities can materially assist 
a lot owner in the choice of a proper memorial, 
one which will make a pleasing picture when 
placed among judicious planting. Too much 
stress cannot he laid upon the fact that this 
tribute to the memory of the departed ones must 
be of durable material, good workmanship and 
I leasing proportioas. 
A police department is an indispensable fea- 
ture iu every well protected cemetery, for the 
handling of traffic, the prevention of petty thiev- 
ery and the preservation of general good order. 
A reasonable set of rules and regulations, if en- 
forced in a firm but kindly manner, will go far 
toward making the cemetery a peaceful and beau- 
tiful resting place for the dead. 
At all times a quiet dignit.v must prevail 
throughout the grounds and courtesy to all should 
he the motto of every employe. 
On Friday morning was held the last 
business session. The following officers 
were elected : 
President, W. N. Rudd, Mount Green- 
wood Cemetery, Chicago. 
Vice President, William H. Atkinson, 
Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, N. J. 
Secretary and Treasurer, William B. 
Jones, Highwcod Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Member Executive Committee, Dr. R. N. 
Kesterson, Greenwood Cemetery, Knox- 
ville, Tenn. 
Rochester, N. Y., was chosen as the con- 
vention city of 1918. 
Shortly before noon the resolutions com- 
mittee reported a memorial of the mem- 
bers who have passed on since the last 
convention. The necrology roll included 
J. L. Halstead of Oak Hill Cemetery, 
Nyack, N. Y., R. D. Boice of Oakwood 
Cemetery, Geneseo, 111., and A. H. David- 
son of Cypress Lawn Cemetery, San Fran- 
cisco. 
The following resolution was adopted 
unanimously : 
RESOLUTIONS. 
“Whereas, This convention has been entertained 
in a most elaborate and pleasureable way, making 
<.ur stay in the city of Barre one long to be re- 
membered by each individual in attendance, tlieie- 
fore 
“Be it resolved, That it is with extreme pleas- 
ure and gratitude that we acknowledge our indebt- 
edness to the entire population of the city of 
lane and vicinity; that your committee knows n .t 
where to begin or where to stop in enumerating 
the various persons who contributed to such a 
successful convf^ntioD. The entertainment has been 
sp(. ntanefius. Never before in the history of onr 
Association have homes as well as hearts been 
thrown open to us and the entire city seemingly 
turned over to us. 
“We make mention, howevev, of Rev., Edgar 
Crossland for his invocation; his excellency, Horace 
F. Graham, governor of Vermont, for his hearty 
address of welcome to the state; the Barre Board 
of Trade and its secretary, H. A. Phelpn; tho 
Barre city cemeteries commission, the ladies’ com- 
mittee, the Barre Hotel and its efficient manager, 
the advertisers, the Barre Quarriers’ Association 
and the Barre Granite Manufacturers’ Association, 
larticularly the president, W. I). MacDonald, and 
the secretary, H. P. Blinman; the Barre Retail 
Merchants’ Association, the Barre Entertainment 
Association, and especially its president, Alex 
Ilanton, and the chairman of its entertainment 
committee, W. G. Reynolds; the Barre Daily Times 
and its reporter. Mr. Bell; our executive committee 
aiul our convention committee. .1. li. Hooker and 
J. A. Reed.” 
Immediately following the close of the 
business session the entire body with many 
Barre people were taken in automobiles 
to the beautiful spot known as Wil- 
liamstown Gulf, about nine miles from 
Barre, where lunch was served and the 
afternoon spent in one grand jolliScation 
with outdoor sports of all kinds. 
At 10 o'clock Friday evening most of the 
guests departed on a special train for Bos- 
ton, where they were entertained on Satur- 
day by the cemetery superintendents of 
that city. 
The Cover Illustration 
The illustration on the cover of this 
issue shows a long stretch of fence sur- 
rounding Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Mass. 
This shows a type of iron fence that is 
ideally adapted to cemetery use. It is 
high and massive, offering the maximuni 
protection, and at the same time is a neat 
and attractive design that harmonizes in* 
sim.plicity and substantial construction 
with the character of the cemetery 
grounds. 
The illustration shows the simple, 
rugged character of the design, and the 
careful construction and bracing of the- 
iron work. 
This fine stretch of fence was made by 
the Stewart Iron Works Co., of Cincin- 
nati, O., who have many different styles- 
of fence of this character to choose from. 
Cemetery Notes 
The new crematory at Harmony Grove 
Cemetery, Salem, Mass., is now ready foi 
use. George W. Creesy is the superintend- 
ent. 
At a recent meeting of the Cemetery 
Commission of Mount Hope Cemetery, 
Rochester, N. Y., it was unanimously de- 
cided that automobile owners may drive- 
their machines into Mount Hope on and 
after Sept. 15th. 
Contract for building the receiving vault: 
and chapel at the North Star cemetery, 
St. Cloud, Minn., has been let to Am- 
brose Wahl, the lowest bidder, his figure 
being $4,500. The receiving vault will be 
entirely fireproof in construction. The 
vault will be in the basement and the 
chapel on the first floor. The materials 
used will be cement, cobblestone and slate 
roofing. 
The purchase of 13% acres adjoining 
Forest Cemetery, the municipal cemetery 
of Toledo, O., is being considered by the- 
city council. The property extends from 
Stickney av. to Seek st. and is a part of 
the Bissel Farm addition. The price is- 
$750 an acre. There is still on hand $100,- 
000 worth of lots, but the rate of burial 
in the cemetery is about one hundred a. 
month and more land will soon be needed. 
There are now 210 acres in the cemetery. 
Eighty thousand persons have been buried 
there since 1836. 
In behalf of the Helena , Cemetery As- 
sociation, Helena, Mont., William Muth 
has brought suit in the district court and 
petitioned for the appointment of a body 
of trustees by -the court to take charge of 
the assets of the concern and for an order 
requiring the association, its trustees and 
Henry Winter, the manager, to account 
for its funds. 
