PARK AND CEMETERY 
207 
The secretary has made quite an appeal asking us to indi- 
vidually make an effort. Let us take more interest in the 
organization and not banish it from our minds where once 
we reach home. Just think of it! Less than 200 names on 
the list. Of course those names represent the cream of the 
profession. But there are many more good cemetery men 
who should be with us. Let us try and gather them in. 
To quote Bro. Hobert: “There are still many able men 
engaged in cemetery management who, like the cemeteries 
in their charge, continue year after year to share in all the 
benefits and advantages of our association and its reports, 
without contributing one iota of their time, ability or means to- 
wards its maintenance. May all such come soon from their 
hiding and become active members of our worthy association.” 
No doubt many of them would join if they could be prop- 
erly approached. Therefore it is up to you and I to make the 
effort. Y. 
Editor Park and Cemetery : — Allow me in behalf of the 
able letter of Bro. William Falconer, to say in my judgment 
he has the right idea as to the best method as yet advanced to 
build up the A. A. C. S., and I trust the officers of the asso- 
ciation may see their way clear to give it a trial. With best 
wishes for the progress of the association, I am yours for 
300 members for 1905. Ed. L. Kimes, 
Supt. Forest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio. 
* 5|C * 
Convention Management . 
Editor Park & Cemetery: — Allow me to endorse the per- 
tinent remark of “an old member” which appeared in the 
last issue of your valuable journal. If the A. A. C. S. is to 
flourish it must hold its meetings where they are likely to 
improve cemeteries surrounding that locality, and by that 
means increase the membership. 
A little entertaining is all very well in its way, but it seems 
to me that less would be beneficial. This is the opinion of 
many. But so few like to be considered “kickers” and do not 
wish to offend their generous brethren, consequently little 
comment is made at the conventions. 
I heartily agree with “an old member” respecting the ses- 
sions. One session of four hours daily will prove sufficient. 
If I remember right, it was at Baltimore that the evening 
session was instituted, and cannot be considered a success. 
At that time of day the members are tired and not much 
interested. Most of them would prefer taking their ease and 
visiting each other, “talking cemetery.” 
The same subjects are too often brought up. Would it not 
be better if persons seeking information were referred to 
back reports instead of using the valuable time of the 
meeting? At Chicago two matters of great importance were 
not half discussed ; viz. : “Legislation,” and the new ideas 
on “perpetual care.” A session devoted to each of these 
subjects would not prove too much, and it is to be hoped 
will be considered by the executive committee for the Wash- 
ington convention. Superintendent. 
* * * 
Editor Park & Cemetery : — While I agree in the main with 
an old member as regards the elaborate entertainment of 
members at the convention of A. A. C. S., I think that the 
measures he proposes are a little too severe. There is, as he 
says, much to see at Washington, and no doubt some of us 
might enjoy being left to our own resources in order to make 
the most of the trip, but our visit to Washington is not per- 
sonal, but professional. 
The visits to parks and cemeteries are both pleasant and 
instructive. In these visits we are invariably accompanied by 
the custodians or by local men, an advantage we would lose 
if we did not go in a body, and some of us would not reach 
many of the places at all, and so miss a good part of the main 
object of our visit. These visits to parks and cemeteries I 
regard as one of the main features of the convention. Pro- 
fessional interests demand the whole of our time during the 
days of the convention ; the go-as-you-please part of the visit 
may well be left until after the close of the convention. 
Riverside, Fairhaven, Mass. Thomas White. 
* * * 
Editor Park & Cemetery : — I was glad to read in your 
last issue the correspondence regarding the convention of the 
A. A. C. S., and trust it may continue until the prevailing 
feeling of the members regarding over-entertaining is brought 
out. 
At nearly every meeting which I have attended there were 
cemeteries visited where I would have been only too glad to 
have spent a longer time in examining the details of man- 
agement, but considered that I would have been lacking in 
courtesy to the committee had I not gone with the general 
body to the next point. The members of the committee would 
not be human if they did not regard the attendance at the 
various affairs as the measure of their success, rather than 
any set of resolutions of thanks we may pass before going 
home. I would suggest, therefore, fewer entertainments and 
more detailed examination of the planting and methods at 
the places visited. For instance, when we visit Providence, 
R. I., a detailed examination of Swan Point, North Burial 
Grounds and the Roger Williams’ Park could each occupy 
a whole day and be more of an educational value than any 
number of drives around the city. 
No man, nor set of men, can be said to fulfill their duty 
unless they give as well as receive, and if the A. A. C. S. 
will only visit one or two of the smaller cities, where enter- 
tainment would not be expected nor desired, not only will it 
add to the good work already accomplished in improving 
cemetery methods, but it will develop an interest in the asso- 
ciation by the trustees and managers of cemeteries who now 
stand aloof. J. C. Scorgie, 
Supt. Mt. Auburn, Cambridge, Mass. 
* * * 
Mr. James H. Morton, president of the association, writes: 
I avail myself of the opportunity to testify my high appre- 
ciation of the article in behalf of the association which ap- 
peared in the November issue of Park & Cemetery. The 
subject is a timely one and well presented. I am glad to see 
copies of it circulated and hope it will be the means of 
awakening a sense of appreciation, of the good our associa- 
tion has done in the past and its efforts for the future. 
If cemetery officers would only realize the duty they owe 
the public, in caring for and managing the resting places of 
the dead, they would not lose the least opportunity afforded 
to perfect themselves in their duties. The higher a cemetery 
official attains in his duties the more he is valued by those 
whom he meets. 
* * * 
Editor Park and Cemetery : — In the last issue of your val- 
uable paper some one who signed himself an “Old Member,” 
states how a reform can be made in convention management. 
He has some good ideas. No doubt dress suit banquets have 
been carried too far, thus keeping many from inviting us to 
meet in their city or town because they could not stand the 
expense. We are all after education in our line of work, 
and every member who attends our conventions goes to his 
home a better educated man. I think where our expenses are 
paid we should devote more than four hours a day to our 
work. There are many superintendents whose salary will not 
admit of paying their own expenses, and they should not if 
