The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-07

A communication was read at yester-
days meeting of the poor board, from
the Anatomical Board of Pennsylva-
mia, which aroused considerable dis
cussion. 1t was to the effect that the
bodies of all unclaimed dead must be
forwarded to the board, according to
the state anatomical law. The strict
enforcement of this rule will do away
with the practice of burying unknown
corpses at the expense Of the county.
The board will pay all expenses in
CURED in transportation and keeping
the remains, and now insists upon the
law being carried out in rigid accord
ance with the rules. 'The law, 1t seems,
is not generally Understood, and the
board is taking active measures to
make it's requirements understood by
all poor board officials throughout the
state.
Several of the members of the local
board spoke concerning the communi-
cation, all of them concurring with the
general order. although some of them
seemed TO consider it rather a heart
| less proceeding. All individual MEM
bers of poor boards who break the law
can be fined $780,
| siderable talk on the subject, that the
| local poor directors should live up to
the requirements of the law, and was
unanimously passed. The communica-
, tion from the secretary of the board,
| A. Hewson, is as follows:
Office Of the Executive Committee Anatomical
| Board of the State OF Pennsylvania, 1908 Pine
| street.
| Philadelphia, June 90 1900
| Gentlemen: According to the State Anatom-
cal Law, which is herewith enclosed, you will
| note in the part marked Section ., call public
| officers, agents, etc, and every county, city,
| township, borough district and other munici.
pality, having charge or control over dead hu.
| man bodies required to lie buried at the public
| expense required to notify the said board
Of distribution, etc, whenever any bodies come
into his or their possession, ETC., and shall with.
! out fee or reward deliver such body or bodies
| to the said board and its agents" Being fully
| aware that this law is not fully understood,
| write to ask that you instruct those under
you to deliver the unclaimed dead to this board.
| The board furnishes proper boxes for tranSpor.
tation, pays for ice required to keep the bodies
| in hot weather and in fact all expenses ncCes-
sary for the carrying out of the mandates OF
| the law above quoted. | enclose herewith also a
copy of the bylaws Of the board together with
|
! not complied with the law and you desire fur.
thcr information than that given you. all in.
! quiriCs will be promptly answered by writing 70
this office. 1t appears that in some localities
! undertakcrs are receiving these bodies and
| burying them, charging the expense to the coun-
| ty. This is in direct violation of the law as
you see. As you have charge of the disposal
of these unclaimed dead and have the richt
and knowing this law to say what shall be done,
| Won have turned these unclaimed bodies oyrr to
these undcrakcrs when the law distinctly states
that they shall be sent to this board I will
ask you il there seems to he any doubt in your
minds as to the law, to consult your attorney.
| As | understand it, the county, municipality or
any officers or agents thereof should he put to
any expense in the burying Of these unclaimed
bodies, that is, it would not be proper for the
institution to be at cent Of expense in the
burial Of these dead, for if there is to he any
expense to the institution those bodies arc the
property of this board; in other words, il the
relatives cannot afford to pay the entire cx.
pcnse Of burial, those bodies must be turned
over to the Anatomical Board. Any transporta.
tion that is required for the delivery Of these
unclaimed dead to a point where they can he
shipped will be met by the board, at such price
as may be agreed upon later.
| Hoping you will be able TO aid in this mat.
ter, believe me, Very truly
A. llewson, per F.
Secretary State Anatomical Board
To the Commissioners Of the Poor, Lackawanna
| County, Scranton, Penna.