The evening times., 1897-01-25
DISTRICT DAY DISCUSSION
Health officer Woodward the
Subject of Attacks.
SHARP WORDS APPLIED TO HIM
The Bill for the Regulation of Gene
teries and the Disposal of Dead
Bodies Was Under C0nside ration.
Mr.. Bakers ReIna narks-Humor of
a CHASTITY Kind.

This was District Day in the House OF
Representatives. Only bills relating to bet
ter sanitary conditions were considered
The first bill to receive consideration was
bill No. 9O39 for the regulation of ceme-
teries and the disposal of dead bodies In
the District. The report on this bill is as
follows:
The esta bIishment and maintenance of
cemeteries in this District is governed by
sections 594 to 6O4, Revised Statutes, Dis
tricJ OF Columbia, relating To- the incOrpOra-
tion of cemetery associations.
The disposal of dead bodies is controlled
by regulations OF the late board OF health
to secure full and correct record OF vital
statistics, including the registration OF
marriages. births and deaths; the inter
ment, disinterment and removal of the dead
in the District of Columbia issued August l =,
1874, under authority OF an act OF Con
gress. entitled An act to further define and
enlarge the powers and duties of the
board of health OF the District of Columbia
approved June %, 1874.
'CemetCrics-CemeteTi In tnis District
are now governed only by certain laws
enacted for the purpose OF regulating the
incorporation of cemetery associations,
with which aspect Of the case the law now
proposed does not deal, relating solely to
sanitary conditions. Its purpose is to pre-
vent the improper location of cemeteries
or crematories for human remains; To pre-
vent the overcrowding of cemeteries, and
to require the keeping Of certain records
So far as relates specifically To any OF
these matters existing law is silent.
Disposal of Dead Bodies. proposed
bill seeks to establish certain regulations
in reference to the keeping Of dead bod e.
prior TO burial or cremation, so as to pre-
vent nuisance therefron, and. il amended
as proposed, To prevent the enbaluIiDg or
destruction thereof except under certain
conditions, so as to prevent the adoption
OF such methods for the purpose of conceal
ing crime-niatters which are not now un-
der any definite legal restrictions. 1t also
claborates somewhat in reference to inter
ments and disinterments, supplying def
Ciencies III existing statutes.
The necessity for this law is manifest.
The rapid growth of the suburbs renders
Imperative legislation to prevent the loca
ton OF cemeteries in their midst, especially
in view Of the dependence OF the inhabitants
Of these suburbs on wells as sources OF
drinking water. So. also, in reference to
determining the size OF grave sites. depth
of graves, number of interments, etc. An
overcrowded cemetery is Il nuisance and
source of disease to the community, even
when most fayorably located, and should
be prevented by law. When once eStab-
liShed. us is quite possible under existing
conditions, correction is difficult.
Some OF the cemeteries in this District
do not at present keep any record Of inter
ments OF disbursements. Under such Condi-
tions it is imp .Ssible to recover bodies
which have been buried, should IL be nee es-
sary 10 do so for legal purposes or other
wise, and. IL the proposed bin is passed, 1t
win he impossible, without provision
for such a record. to compel "A compliance
with its provisions. Due provision is,
therefore. made for the keeping OF such
records.
Those parts Of the proposed law re-
lating to the keeping of bodies prior to
interment are necessary To prevent their
retention in such manner and for such
length of time as not to endanger the health
OF the occupants of the houses IN which
they are kept, and to become a source of
nuisance to the public; also TO prevent the
ccncealing OF dead bodies, or their mutiia-
ton, for the purpose of conccaling crime
CrematOries for human remains are not
now regulated in any way, nor il the
law be strictly interpreted are the Gre
mated remains permitted to be disposed
OF except by burial The proposed law
makes due provision for such matters"
Mr.. Curtis. OF Connecticut. in charge Of
the bill. explained its provisions, and stated
that it was ameasure ofvery great import
ance to the citizens. 1t was prepared with
great care by DR.. Busey. DR.. Custis and
other high medical authorities.
MI Baker OF New Hampshire said the bill
under consideration was one OF many pre-
pared by the health officer for the Gluri-
fication of himself and TO extend his pow
ers. There was no general complaint against
the existing cemeteries, and 1T was a piece
of legislation that was absolutely unnPces-
sary and uncalled for.
Mr. Curtis -contended that the pas
sage of the bill was absolutely necessary
to the public health.
Mr. Boher said that Mr.. Curtis ex-
planation did not explain, and went on to
attack the bill. He attacked especially
section two, whicn provides JndI IT shall
be the duty of owners Of cemeteries to
inclose them with good and sufficient
walls or fences to prevent entrance thereto
or exit therefrom except by gates pro-
yided for that purpose.
Mr. Baker made another assault ON
Health Officer VI oUdward when he charged
that the bill was drawn TO give greater
rover to the health officer. He did not
think cemetery owners should be com
PEELED to SURROUND their property by peni-
tentiary walls.
Mr.. Babcock said the regulation was made
to keep grave robbers out, and not TO
keep the spirits in
Mr. Bakers p1 oposition was voted down,
and the House passed the bill.
AS to the Deep Breath.
Exercise ShlfIld not make us breathe