645 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
I 
THE A. A. C. S. CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA 
The twenty-fifth annual convention of 
the Association of American Cemetery 
Superintendents, held at Philadelphia, 
Pa., September 12-15, 1911, brought to- 
gether the largest body of cemetery su- 
perintendents and other cemetery ofti- 
cials and their wives that has ever 
convened. It is unusual to hold a four- 
days' convention of this association, but 
in view of the fact that the executive 
committee comprised representatives of 
the cemeteries of Wilmington, Del., and 
Trenton, N. J., as well as Philadelphia, 
each of whom were desirous of enter- 
taining the association, all of the time 
was occupied and much more might 
have been profitably spent, where there 
is so much of interest, historic and oth- 
erwise as abounds in this, the “na- 
tion’s birthplace,” and its environment. 
Headquarters were at the Continental 
Hotel. The “Lexow” investigation, now 
pending, manifestly disarranged the 
equilibrium of the mayor’s office to 
such an extent that His Honor entirely 
overlooked the important function he 
was to perform in passing over the tra- 
ditional keys of the city. He knew, 
however-, that he could safely “let 
George do it,” and George and his able 
assistants on the executive committee 
certainlj^ did everything possible to give 
their guests a good time. 
President W. C. Grassau, superinten- 
dent at Greenwood Cemetery. Brooklyn, 
N. Y., and Secretary-Treasurer Rellett 
Lawson, Jr., Elmwood Cemetery, Chi- 
cago, filled their respecti\e posts. 
At least 175 persons were present 
when the meeting was called to order. 
The convention was opened with prayer 
by Rev. Dr. Adamson, of Philadelphia. 
President Grassau departed from the 
usual custom of preparing a formal ad- 
dress. He expressed his appreciation 
of the honor of presiding on the oc- 
casion of the association’s silver anni- 
\'ersary. All of the practical cemetery 
questions had, he said, been discussed 
in the address of his predecessors in 
office. Quoting Ex-president John Reid 
at Chattanoo.ga last year, he said the 
Imsiness superintendent regarded these 
annual conventions as an opportunity 
for education rather than “a chance for 
an amusement outing.” He, therefore, 
deemed it expedient to jiroceed with the 
business of the convention. Secretary- 
Treasurer Lawson’s annual report 
showed a membership of 220 and a 
substantial balance in the treasury. Two 
of the oldest members were removed 
by death during the past year : Timothy 
McCarthy, Providence, R. L, and L. L. 
Mason, Jamestown, N. Y. During the 
illness of Mr, McCarthy and at the 
funerals of both these members, flowers 
were sent by the association. The sec- 
retary suggested that action lie taken 
at this meeting on the recommendation 
of former Secretary Eurich regarding 
associate members. He also suggested 
having the executive committee separate 
from the convention committee, the for- 
mer to perform the duties suggested by 
its title and the latter to have charge 
only of the conventions. He recom- 
mended abolishing the advisory com- 
mittee. 
The committee appointed by the chair 
to whom this report was referred re- 
ported adversely on the recommenda- 
tions. 
In pursuance of the resolution adopt- 
ed at Chattanooga last year relative to 
presenting former Secretary Eurich 
with a testimonial of the association’s 
appreciation of his long and faithful 
services, the presentation came as an 
unexpected number on the programme. 
Edw^ard G. Carter used the proverbial 
“words fitly spoken” in presenting the 
beautiful tribute, in the form of an 
open face gold watch. The handsome 
time piece, known technically as a No. 
14, has an 18 karat case, Addison move- 
ment, with 23 jewels. The outside case 
bears the letters F. E. in ribbon mon- 
ogram. Inscribed on the inner case 
are the words: “Erank Eurich, from 
fellow members of the Association 
.American Cemetery Superintendents, 
September, 1911.” In accepting the 
beautiful tribute Mr. Eurich was deeply 
touched: he said, “I am completely 
overwhelmed and can only thank you 
from the bottom of my heart.’’ 
At the afternoon session Bellett Law- 
son, Jr., read a paper on the suljject of 
“Connnunit\' Mausoleums,’’ which fol- 
lows : 
( OM.MI NITV SIAUSOLKl .MS. 
Hy Bellett LawNon, Jr. 
On March 24. 1907. Mr. William I. Hood 
aiJpiied to the United States Government 
for a patent for what he claimed to be a 
“New and Useful Burial-Crypt.” 
The specifications or description states 
“that the building comprises a hall or 
lobby sufficient to accommodate a funeral 
train. The catacombs are arranged in ver- 
tical rows tier upon tier, and separated 
from each other by homogeneous partitions; 
preferably of concrete cement.” 
In fact the whole description covers the 
modern sanitary tomb such as is known 
to mortuary architects for the past twenty- 
five years or more. 
The patent, however, was granted on June 
25 of the same year. 
That there is nothing new in the inven- 
tion is evident to any one versed in mor- 
tuary architecture. 
I must presume that the patent was 
granted because of the fact that the pat- 
entee swears that the invention is new, 
and the patent office searcher finds noth- 
ing to the contrary. Since the issuing of 
this patent there have been several other 
minor patents issued, but the one referred 
to here is the basis on which most of the 
so-called community mausoleums are being 
fostered on the public today. 
Some of them have merit; most of them 
have none. 
I have said there is nothing new in this 
invention. This could be proven by going 
back many generations, but I will leave 
that out and go back only 49 years. The 
City of Liverpool, England, built a com- 
munity mausoleum in 1862 in the Liverpool 
Cemetery. This is a large structure, and is 
divided into compartments or arches as 
they are called. In each arch is a group 
of twenty catacombs. The authorities will 
sell any number of these catacombs that 
may be desii*ed. With each catacomb pur- 
chased the right is given to erect a me- 
morial tablet in the chapel portion of the 
building. The cost of these catacombs 
seems very reasonable, being but six pounds 
or about $30 in American money. 
In this country there have been many 
cemeteries that have built Tombs for tem- 
porary use practically as described in the 
patent. A few cemeteries have sold cata- 
combs in the Tombs. 
I personally have built two tombs with 
catacombs as described. One in Harris- 
burg. Pa., in 1899, and the other in Ba- 
tavia, N. Y., in 1905. 
The fact that the catacombs in these 
buildings are rented instead of being sold 
should not give any other person or com- 
pany the exclusive right to build and sell 
catacombs. 
The Elmwood Cemetery of Detroit. Mich., 
has built a community mausoleum; the 
building has been built for a number of 
years, and has not been as successful fi- 
nancially as the Cemetery hoped it would 
be. It goes to prove, however, that these 
buildings were in existence before the pat- 
ent was applied for. 
Before going into the subject further it 
may not be out of place to give a brief 
history of the community mausoleum 
growth. 
The patentee and one ,Tohn W. Ches- 
rown formed a partnership under the name 
of W. I. Hood & Co. Later this was dis- 
solved and the National Mausoleum Co. 
was organized. which still later was 
changed in some manner to the Interna- 
tional Mausoleum Co. The first company 
