22 !) 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
"What's The Use?" 
In a communication from Mr. Bellett Lawson, secretary of 
the A. A. C. S., which appeared in the columns of the No- 
vember issue of Park and Cemetery, he opens with the query, 
“Why does not the membership of the As.'ociation of Ameri- 
can Cemetery Superintendents increase?’’ and in the course of 
Iris remarks quotes as one of the reasons the reply so fre- 
quently given in response to invitations extended to cemetery 
officials to become identified with the association, “What's the 
use?" It seems almost incredible that any intelligent man 
would give such an answer in this age of enlightenment and 
progress, when so rapid are the changes and so numerous the 
improvements effected by such transitions in all the walks of 
life that it is an absolute necessity for every man to exercise 
his best efforts, if he aspires to a betterment of his condition, 
or even desires to maintain his position in the “procession." 
The man ambitious of success, realizing how' difficult, in fact, 
how impossible, it is for any one, however well equipped he 
may be by nature, to accomplish much in the way of efficient 
progress by relying wholly on his own ideas and abilities, 
very naturally turns to others for help. It is by interchanges 
of ideas that men become mutually helpful, and progress makes 
its rapid strides. Every reasonable man must admit th.at with 
few e.xceptions men acquire most of their knowledge from the 
e.xperience of others and largely govern their own conduct by 
following example. While it is undoubtedly true that some 
men of unusual natural ability may possess or acquire the 
requisite knowledge to in some measure successfully conduct 
their business by careful study of the methods suggested in 
the works of the best authorities, and by keeping in constant 
touch with modern ideas as expressed in the current period- 
icals, and by intelligent and well applied experiments and close 
observations, yet, as universally admitted, it is from sugges- 
tions we receive in response to direct inquiries and from tbe 
observation and explanation of the examples of others that 
we the more rapidly and accurately acquire our practical 
knowledge. How, therefore, to come in contact with such 
men as may be helpfid, how to glean suggestions and profit by 
example most conveniently, is one of the problems the busi- 
ness man is endeavoring to solve to-day, and so we have, as 
the result, the numerous societies, clubs, state and national as- 
sociations, embracing all lines of business and many of the 
social affairs of life. 
Is there any reason why the profession of Cemetery Super- 
intendent should be an exception Is it not of sufficient im- 
portance to necessitate any special study, or apply to it the 
careful methods demanded by other lines of business? Does 
it not require a man possessed of the ordinary degree of in- 
telligence to manage the affairs of the cemetery, and would 
any effort to improve and widen the scope of the superin- 
tendent’s knowledge he simply a waste of time, quite un- 
warranted by the requirements of his duties? Or do we find 
among cemetery superintendents a greater proportion of men 
than in other professions who, while admittedly capable when 
appointed of filling their positions properly, are such consum- 
mate egotists that they permit themselves to fall into that, per- 
haps happy, but deplorable state of mind by which they are 
persuaded that what they do not already know is not worth 
knowing? On the whole, are not all such questions simply 
absurd? It is quite unnecessary to enter into a specific con- 
sideration of any of them, for it is universally conceded that 
the position of a cemetery superintendent is one of the greatest 
importance. The duties are many and widely varied, de- 
manding the exercise of man’s best gifts. 
What is the use ot the Association ot American Cemetery 
Superintendents? Is it not one of the best and certainly the 
most direct means of bringing its members, the superintendents 
and other officials of cemeteries all over our broad land, and 
even from across the border in Canada, face to face, that they 
may become acquainted, enjoy each other's society for a short 
time, seek for and give information on all subjects in which 
they are mutually interested affecting their profession, and 
endeavor by healthy and amicable discussion to arrive at the 
solution of some important mooted questions in cemetery 
management? As has been frequently pointed out, the for- 
malities of the business sessions, while undoubtedly of great 
ber.efit in themselves, particularly the discussion of the several 
subjects introduced, in many instances really but suggest and 
are over-shadowed in importance by the many quiet after talks 
between mutually interested individuals, as they single each 
other out in the intervals and where opportunity offers. 
The social side of these meetings, too, should not be under- 
estimated or considered by any means frivolous and un-' 
profitalple. '1 he opportunity afforded to make acquaintances, 
many of which ripen into warm friendships, naturally creates 
a fraternal feeling and interest among the members, which 
encourages and promotes mutual helpfulness. How much 
easier it is to apply to a friend or acquaintance than to a 
stranger for some needed information, and with how much 
more confidence you look for a favorable reply. And while 
all cemetery officials are noted for their cordial reception of 
visitors, how much warmer the greetings and hearty the hand- 
shake of the friend when you have the opportunity to accept 
his standing invitation and pay him a visit — a visit you enjoy 
all the more and from which you are likely to derive all the 
more benefit because of your previous acquaintance. 
Rut it is not those who stand in need of the most assistance 
who alone derive all the pleasure or profit from their member- 
ship in the association, for it is undoubtedly true that it is 
more blessed to give than to recei\'e. Some are more gifted 
tlnm others, nr have a greater fund of information, gathered, 
it may he, from a more extensive experience, and they should 
deem it their duty to unselfishly impart that knowledge for 
the assistance of individuals or the general good of their 
fellownnan. The A. A. C. S. needs them, and it will be strange 
indeed if even the best informed fails at any of the meetings 
to learn something new or have the idea suggested which 
never occurred to them before. 
Inability to attend the annual meetings appears to be one 
of the reasons why some superintendents do not become mem- 
bers of the association. That is not really a valid reason for 
withholding their recognition and support from an institution 
of so much benefit to the majority of its members and to the 
cemeteries they represent. It is more than probable, too, that 
it being the custom to change every year the place of holding 
the annual conventions, all members may find it convenient to 
occasionally attend one of these meetings. The expense of a 
membership is trifling, not worthy of consideration in compari- 
son with the good accomplished by the association, in which 
all th.e members, directly or indirectly, whether able to attend 
the meetings or not, inevitably participate. The association, 
properly supported, tends to the elevation of our profession, 
the stimulation and promotion of fraternal interests and help- 
fulness among its members and the dissemination of useful 
knowledge. It is therefore not only worthy of the hearty sup- 
port of the every cemetery corporation in the country, but if 
every cemetery official would without prejudice investigate its 
aims and achievements, it is safe to say we would never again 
hear the question, “What's the use?" 
Milwaukee, Wis. 
James Currie. 
