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PARK AND CEMETERY 
ROUP OF OHIO CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENTS IN CONVENTION AT COLUMBUS, O. 
Ohio Cemetery Officials in Convention 
The first annual convention of the Ohio Associa- 
tion of Cemetery Superintendents and Officials was 
held in Dayton, Ohio, on the 14th and 15th of Octo- 
ber. The convention opened with a prayer by the Rev. 
Frank Garland, of Dayton. Hon. J. D. Clarke, as 
representative of the Mayor, delivered the address of 
welcome, and the response was made by George Van 
Atta, of Newark. J. C. Cline, of Dayton, delivered 
his address as president of the association. The re- 
ports followed. 
In the afternoon the members of the Association vis- 
ited the National Cash Register Co., where they were 
entertained bv a lecture. A visit was also made to the 
National Soldiers’ Home. 
“Sunday Funerals” was the subject of a paper by 
Frederick Green of Cleveland. A discussion followed 
this, nearly all favoring doing away with Sunday 
funerals except in case of necessity. 
Dr. A. L. Snyder, of Bryan, read his paper, “A New 
Use for Mortuary Chapels.” He thought that mor- 
tuary chapels should be used as depositories for family 
records, etc. 
“Why Should We Discourage Stone Work?” was 
ably set forth in a paper by J. J. Stevens. In doing 
away with so much of the above-the-ground stone 
work we should have more beautiful cemeteries, mak- 
ing them more park-like. 
The session closed with the appointment of the dif- 
ferent committees. 
At the second day’s session Mr. George Van Atta 
read a paper on “Vital Questions”, which was in part 
as follows : 
When it is thought necessary to establish a Cemetery in 
any community, you need to be very sure that it is absolutely 
necessary. There are already too many church-yard and 
small private or family burying grounds scattered over the 
State. If there was but one to the Township, or, better still, 
one to four Townships in the country districts, that one 
could and would be better cared for than if there were more 
to serve the same community. 
The adoption of a rule or system whereby a fund will surely 
be provided for the perpetual care of the grounds and lots, is 
one of the most important. This must be done when the lots 
and graves are sold. It should recpiire no argument to con- 
vince any one who should provide this fund; clearly it should 
be provided by those who acquire the right of burial ; they are 
the specially interested parties. 
The question of monuments and markers is a question 
that should be very carefully considered. The thought that 
should govern the minds of those selecting memorials, for 
graves or lots, should be their appropriateness for the place 
for which they are intended, and their permanent character. 
If left to themselves and the marble dealer, these objects are 
seldom attained. What can look worse than a labyrinth of 
tall, tottering, and, I came near saying, drunken memorials 
in a Cemetery. 
Another important matter to be considered is your rec- 
ords. Whether the Cemetery be new or old, provide your- 
selves with all the literature obtainable relating to ceme- 
teries; rules and regulations of other cemeteries; join our 
association, and attend the meetings; ask questions — this will 
aid you in answering questions; subscribe for and read Park 
and Cemetery, have not only a copy for the Superintend- 
ent and each one of the Trustees or Directors, but several 
extra copies, that you may have some to distribute among 
your lot holders and patrons. It will have an educating in- 
fluence, and in this way make it much easier for those having 
the management of cemeteries in charge. One gets a great big 
per cent on his investment when he subscribes for Park and 
Cemetery. 
Avenues, fences, water supply, sewers, buildings, and all 
permanent structures and improvements are questions of the 
first importance. Great care should be taken in planning 
for these things, so that undoing after once doing may be 
avoided. 
This was followed by a paper by George Gossard, 
of Washington C. H., entitled “Visits to Other Cem- 
eteries and Attending Cemetery Conventions.” Jacob 
Hartman discussed “Relationship Between Trustees 
and Superintendent.” 
The election of officers resulted as follows : Presi- 
dent, J. J. Stephens, Columbus, Ohio; Vice President, 
P'rederick Green, Cleveland, Ohio ; Secretary and 
Treasurer, G. C. Anderson, Sidney. 
The next annual meeting will be held in Springfield, 
