PARK AND CEMETERY. 
2.50 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Convention 2)a/e Changed, 
In deference to the wishes of several of the members of 
the A. A. C. S., the date for the convention in Washington has 
been changed to the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22d of September. 
Hi 
Some Practical Suggestions to the A, A, C, S. 
Editor Park and Cemetery : — Apropos of the present 
promising discussion of membership in the A. A. C. S., it 
will doubtless give our brethren much moral support to ob- 
serve the standing which is accorded us by the leading Ameri- 
can authority. Prof. L. H. Bailey, in his recent fascinating 
and valuable work, “Cyclopedia of American Horticulture,” 
states that the A. A. C. S. is one of the three national socie- 
ties conserving the landscape gardening and rural art of this 
country. This statement, from such a source, should be a 
matter of pride to every member of the association and it 
should also be used effectively in our present endeavor to 
increase the membership. No man who assumes standing 
as a cemetery superintendent can afford to ignore the society 
which receives authoritative recognition of so broad a char- 
acter. 
Consider that this establishes our society as the oldest con- 
servator (in this country) of the general principles which it 
endeavors to apply to our particular needs. 
We have long received in a less public way the approval 
of others more closely interested in our work. Men 
of admitted taste, keen judgment and wide repute, who 
find time from larger business interests to preside 
over cemetery boards, have signified the kindest re- 
gard for the work of our association. And this brings 
me to inquire : Why cannot we use the testimony 
thus furnished, to interest the less enlightened ceme- 
tery officials and their negligent superintendents, who have 
thus far failed to discover the value of fraternity? Why 
not issue a circular containing, besides a statement of our 
purposes. Prof. Bailey’s opinion and that of some of our lead- 
ing cemetery officials, presidents and others who are not mem- 
bers, but are cognizant of what the society has accomplished? 
It is all very well for our own officers and committees to tell 
what we think of ourselves ; but entirely different sensations 
would be aroused in the minds of non-members by the opin- 
ions of other non-members well qualified to judge. 
It should be shown to possible members that actual attend- 
ance at every convention is not absolutely essential to an en- 
joyment of its benefits. Our annual report should be so im- 
proved as to become a necessary hand book for the superin- 
tendent; and, available to members only, it would of itself 
well repay the yearly dues when attendance, was not possible. 
As an immediate improvement in the report, I would suggest 
the insertion in each issue, of an inde.x to all of the papers 
and subjects in all of the previous reports. This would give 
a set of ready reference volumes of immense value and while 
the first labor of compilation would be considerable, our 
secretary is energetic and volunteers would no doubt assist. 
The continuation of the index each year would be simple. 
I confess to a feeling of disappointment many times when 
perusing our report. Much good convention matter escapes 
it. Justice forbids the slightest criticism of the generous 
men who give so freely of their energies to preserve to us 
the record of our meetings. The difficulty, to my mind, is 
in securing the original draft of the proceedings. Is it not 
possible for us to secure the services of a permanent official 
reporter? One who could add to the necessary short-hand 
practice, the knowledge and interest of one of ourselves in 
the subjects treated and who by regular attendance, would 
know the members and would incorporate the spirit of the 
meetings in the copy. Is there not some one or more among 
the office forces of our members to whom it could be made an 
object to give such assistance? I look for our roll to reach 
the three hundred mark and shortly pass to the five hundred 
mark, and with it there should be the means to perform 
whatever is requisite to the fullest measure of success. It 
might also be possible to add to the volumes, pertinent mat- 
ter, extraneous to the conventions, thereby increasing the 
reference value of the set. 
As to the entertainment feature of our conventions, which 
has been the subject of rather severe criticism on the part 
of some of our members, there is another view to be taken. 
The objections thus far offered to this feature, appear to be, 
first, that the time of the members attending is misspent in 
this way, and, second, that many cities, of interest to our 
people are deterred from inviting us, by the prospect of 
burdensome entertaining. I believe that these two sum up 
the general exceptions to our past excesses ; no one having 
yet had the hardihood to suggest that the association itself 
has exhausted its income by riotous conduct, nor that any 
member has been specifically prevented from attending by 
the fear of frivolous reception. The entertainment generally 
afforded thus far, has consisted of drives and refreshment 
Can anyone say that the first of these, taken through the 
finest scenes in the localities which we visit, is less educa- 
tional for our members than the discussion of papers ; or, 
that to go thus, in a body, to inspect the cemeteries of our 
friends, is less desirable than to go in pairs and couples by 
the bo.x car route? And with the prospect of a day of such 
travel, would you insist that each carry his own luncheon, 
rather than accept of the hospitality that it has been esteemed 
a pleasure to provide? 
Or, again, would you count that time, spent in the art 
palace of Mr. Lininger, or the inspiring scene from the Ell- 
wanger pavilion, wasted on the calling of the cemetery super- 
intendent? It is true that the banquet, with which several 
of our conventions have closed, is not a necessity, and in- 
deed our members are too purposeful to be in danger of ac- 
counting it such. But if, with well meant desire to express 
appreciation of our association and its purposes, some, who, 
having freely received, would also freely give, invite us to 
rub elbows at their festal board, are we to regard it as a 
menace to the organization? And if, with wish to mutually 
pay tribute of grace and honor to the occasion, host and 
guest array themselves, is it legitimate reference in a discus- 
sion of membership ? The banquet has never been a part 
of the convention, nor has it taken any time from the busi- 
ness of the convention, and I do not believe anyone has 
ever remained away from the convention because of it. 
As to the second objection offered, the association has al- 
ready answered that, by the selection of Washington as its 
next meeting place ; thereby indicating that we are not de- 
pendent upon invitation when it is desired to meet in a 
given place ; that we will go where we believe our interests 
take us and that we are able, willing and ready to provide 
for the proper conduct of our good work, without imposing 
burdens upon any local committee. 
To sum the matter up, entertainment is not a necessity to 
us, but when offered, it is acceptable. 
Let our efforts be truly for a building up, without reproach 
for efforts which in the past have not been altogether un- 
fruitful. 
