Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-06
LOOKING UPTHELAW.
City Attorney Burleigh Preparing an
Opinion on CrematiOns.
MAY REQUIREANACTOF ASSEMBLY
Mr.. Samson Says Present Regulations
Make Crime Possible.
PITTSBURG TO TAKE INITIAL STEPS

Assistant City Attorney Burleigh is look
ing up the law with a view to ascertaining
what course can be taken toward bringing
about the abolition of secret cremation Of
bodies. The publication yesterday in The
DISPATCH of the decided stand taken by
Chief Brown in this matter, was the subject
of general comment about the city yesterday.
1t is generally conceded that the position
taken by the Chief is perfectly correct.
City officials and other persons interested in
public matters agree with Mr.. Brown that
cremation is likely to become very popular
as method of disposing of corpses, and
that in such event the present lax regula-
tions will be utterly inadequate to prevent
the easy accomplishment of crimes now sur
rounded by ugly difficulties. Chief Brown
is determined to follow out his original
ideas on the subject.
The Law Will Soon Be Known.
IT have just had consultation with At
torney Burleigh," he said yesterday, "and
have asked him to look up the law on the
question. This he has agreed to do. and we will
know before long just where we stand. The
more 1 think of the question the more am
convinced that it is the just privilege and right
OF the Department of public Safety TO have
full report of all of cremation. As means OIL
further protection to the public 1 think such
reports Indispensable"
In his efforts to establish more strict regula-
tions of crematories Chief Brown will have no
opposition from Mr.. Samson, proprietor of the
only establishment of that kind in Plttsburg.
Mr.. Samson called on the Chief yesterday and
informed him that he was heartily in accord
with any movement for the prevention of Grim
lnal cremation. He said:
Il have always complied with the law and in
tend to in the future. The Bureau of Health
never asked for report of cases where the
person cremated was not a resident of this
city, but am perfectly willing to furnish full
reports in every case / hope to see Chief
Browns idea carried out. At present there
are not sufficient safeguards about cremation
to make it safe. Under present regulations
there are too many opportunities for dishonest
crematory proprietors and physicians TO cover
up crimes, and the sooner more strict require
ments are enacted the better"
Different Views of Different Men.
1t will De several days before Attorney Bur-
leigh will have his opinion prepared, as it will
take considerable time to ascertain the position
of the law on the crematory question, which IS
a comparatively new one. Chief Brown had
hoped to accomplish his aim by an ordinance of
Councils. taking the ground that cremation is a
burial and would come under the same provis-
ions of the law.
The view is held by some, however. that the
law governing burials does not pertain to cre-
will be necessary to cover the point. This is
one of the main points Attorney Burle1gh has
To decide, and on his decision will depend
largely the course Chief brown will pursue.
pal government. ana there are no precedenss to
go by. Pittsburg will take the initial step in
the matter ar" its success will be regarded
with interest all over the country.