137 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
ANNUAL MEETING of CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENTS 
For the first time in twenty-one 
years the Association of American 
Cemetery Superintendents has con- 
vened in Greater New York, the sec- 
ond meeting of the organization having 
been held in Brooklyn in the fall of 
1888 . 
Many changes have come in the 
method of conducting cemeteries since 
that day as a result of this orga,niza- 
tion and many of the men who were 
active in the work of founding it have 
passed on to the great beyond, revered 
in the memory of those pioneers in 
cemetery reform who have remained 
loyal to the movement. 
The twenty-third annual convention 
was held at the Hotel Astor, New York 
City, Sept. 14 , 15 and 16 , 1909 . The 
sessions on the first day were held in 
the spacious and beautiful banquet hall 
of the hotel. A large attendance rep- 
resented twenty-one states and Canada, 
and included many ladies. 
The convention was called to order 
by President James Currie, of Milwau- 
kee, Wis., and was opened with prayer 
by Rev. Russell Collins, D. D. 
In the absence of the acting mayor 
of the city, Hon. P. J. McGowen, an 
address of welcome was made, by the 
Hon. Reginald Roull, who also extend- 
ed the visitors an invitation to stay over 
and witness the Hudson-Fulton celebra- 
tion. The president responded for the 
Association. 
President Currie then read his annual 
address in which he welcomed the mem- 
bers of the convention, and briefly sum- 
marized the growth of the Association 
and its influence. The improvements 
that have been accomplished in many, 
if not, indeed, in practically all of our 
best cemeteries, he said, were unques- 
tionably attributable in great measure 
to the influence of this Association. 
Foregoing the temptation to indulge 
in delightful reminiscences “concerning 
notable meetings, instructive discourses, 
and friendly tilts” that have marked 
former gatherings, the address dealt 
largely with suggestions concerning the 
policy of the Association with regard 
to increasing the membership, conduct- 
ing its annual conventions, etc. 
Referring to the suggestion that some 
modification of the title of the Associa- 
tion might prove advantageous, it was 
the president’s opinion “that no change 
of name could possibly affect the ob- 
jects of the Association” nor would any 
other title be “so generally satisfactory 
as the present one under which the 
Associatioti had flourished so harmoni- 
ously for almost a quarter of a cen-i 
tury.” He suggested pursuing “a dig- 
nified policy of soliciting new mem-> 
bers, letting well enough alone as far 
as change of name was concerned.” 
In the matter of locating and conduct- 
ing conventions he advocated a modifica- 
tion of past practices by adopting “a 
well-defined policy of moderation in all 
matters of a social nature, not neces- 
sarily by eliminating all forms of en- 
tertainment, but by practicing reason- 
able economy, placing a ban on extrava- 
gance and cultivating a truly democratic 
spirit. He said in part : 
“This is an institution inaugurated by 
a few zealous cemetery superintendents, 
unmindful of personal aggrandizement 
but unselfishly inspired by a laudable de- 
sire to elevate the profession and im- 
prove the character of our cemeteries. 
Today, less than a quarter of a cen- 
tury since the inception of the plan and 
organization of our association, we are 
reaping in generous measure the 
fruits of their la’oors and are glad to 
acknowledge our gratitude and to ac- 
cord to these brethren due credit for 
the achievements won by reason of their 
forethought and energy. Already our 
association has gained an almost world- 
wide reputation, and is recognized 
throughout the length and breadth of 
our land as a powerful factor in the 
present great movement toward ceme- 
tery improvement, which is now pro- 
gressing with a rapidity perhaps ex- 
ceeding the most sanguine expectations 
of its early advocates and promoters. 
* * * No member of this Association 
who has had experience in cemetery 
management and has had opporunity to 
make observations, needs arguments to 
prove to him, nor will he hesitate to 
admit the helpful influence of this so- 
ciety and the countless opportunities af- 
forded by it for a dissemination of use- 
ful knowledge and technical education 
without which the superintendent of 
any of our modern cemeteries with 
their many requirements, is very poorh% 
equipped, indeed. * * =i= 
“The good work now well begun must 
and will inevitably go on. Without or- 
ganized effort progress is possible; but 
just so surely as much that has been 
accomplished in the past is due to the 
united efforts afforded by our associa- 
tion, so surely will progress in the fu- 
ture depend upon and be in proportion 
to the numerical strength and earnest- 
ness of purpose of our membership.” 
The annual report of the secretary 
and treasurer, Frank Eurich,. showed a 
membership of 310 active and 3 hon- 
orary members. Five applications for 
membership were received during the 
year and several were dropped from 
the roll for non-payment of dues in ac- 
cordance with the rules of the organiza- 
tion. One active and two honorary 
members died during the past year, 
Charles A. Stiles, Malden, Mass.; Rt. 
Rev. Bishop McQuaid, Rochester, N. 
Y., and A. Bargamin, president Holly- 
wood Cemetery, Richmond, Va. The 
treasurer’s report showed a substan- 
tial balance on hand and a consider- 
able sum for dues unpaid. Mr. Eurich 
suggested that with this amount in hand 
it would be possible to devise a plan 
whereby it could be used for the bene- 
fit of the members. Twenty-one new 
members were admitted at this meeting, 
making the total enrollment 239 . 
The report stated that a short his- 
torical sketch of the association had 
been published in pamphlet form, con- 
taining the constitution and by-laws 
also a list of members, etc., for distribu- 
tion among prospective members, in act 
cordance with the suggestion made at 
the Kansas City meeting. Copies of 
this pamphlet will be mailed by the sec- 
retary on request. 
Before adjourning the morning ses- 
sion it was announced that while the 
superintendents were attending the busi- 
ness session -in the afternoon the ladies 
would be entertained at the Hippo- 
'I 
