The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-22
ANINDTGNANT UNDERTAKEN.
4. B. McAVoy Writes a Very
Lively Epistle.
Some Interesting limitations Given OF How
Rival Undsrtakers Do Business" The
Calls" Report Approved.

The members OF the organization known
as the Funeral Directors Association de-
sire to rafute certain charges made against
them by meeting of undertakers held
Tuesday night for the purpose of making
their existence known to the general public
The following letter is from Ii. B. Me
Avoy, vice-president OF the association:
To the Editor Of The Call SIR: Ny atten-
ton has been called TO an article in the Ex-
amIner in which the Funeral Directors Associa-
ton IS attacked for the proposition IL made TO
Bealth Ofneer Keeney IN regard TO tie action
which the association proposed TO take IN case
the CHOLERA claimed victims In San Francisco.
Now in the first place our proposition was
public spirited and intended 10 confer Deneht
on the city, instead Of 'monopolIzng the cholera
futermenfs" as a few disgruntled gh0uls charged
al a meeting held The other night,
Mr Halstrad and myself called upon Healih
Officer Keeney and made the following PROPOSE
tlOn:
TO provide central supply depot, 10 the event or
the cholera breaking out. where ali the under
takers IN the city would be required to send the
necessary funeral supplies, when so requested
10 do by the relatives Of those who had fallen
victims 10 the scOnrge.
Seeond-The Health ONCE was requested to
employ and pay the salaries OF men competent
10 conduct the funerals Of tn cholera dead.
All the undertskeTs IN the city were to be
given the liberty Of sending SUCH supplies 10 the
central depot as might be ordered by their pa
irons.
The object of this measure was TO conhne the
handling OF cholera lnterments to certain lev
under the control Of the Health Oflcer, aud thus
provide against tie spreading OF c0ntagl0n.
Your reporter correctly reported the matter as
Il was published Ia The CALL.
There was no attempt on our part TO corral
the business" as is charged by certain under
takers who are debarred the privilege OF being
members OF our association.
With US undertaking is profession and not
trade. We have no set charges and were cur
books opened 10 public inspection IL would be
found that many man, woman and child lies IN
a grave inclosed in a costly casket that has not
YET been paid for. The relatives were either too
poor unable to meet the expenses and with
true feeling OF humanitafianism We have biotted
out the Indebtedness. Firms like Massey. OCon.
nor, n. Gray & Co., Halstead & Co. and others
nerd no recommendation. They do not employ
nor give percentages 10 physicians and nurses
for "busiuess."
They have made undertaking profession ana
have not sprung from dishWashing into full
nedged embalmers.
Their certificates we're not obtained from an
itinerary peddier OF an embalming fluid. Very
truly, II. y. MCAVoY
Vice President Funeral Directors Association.
The undertakers do not understand why
they should be attacked. The association
has no fixed rates Of interment. The only
thing required is that the members Of it
must be of good moral character and con-
duet their business in professional way.