The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-14
LATE STYLES in BIERS
THEY ARE ON EXHIBITION AT THE
GERMAN HOUSE.
Annual Session of Indiana Funeral Di-
rectOrs' Association-A Vaude-
Vile Programme.

If one wishes to provide himself complete
ly for the journey into the great beyond
he will find the latest styles of biers and
burial furniture and funeral vesture on
exhibition at the German House. The cor
ridors and clubrOoms in the auditorium
section of the building are filled with ex-
hibits of manufacturers of undertakers'
supplies and about 200 members of the In
diana Funeral Directors Association spent
the day examining them. The association
is now holding its twenty-second annual
meeting. Heretofore the exhibits have
been made in hotels. but this year Secre-
tary L. S. Davis, of Alexandria, grouped
them with the meeting itself. The success
of this arrangement was a matter of con-
graduation by both exhibitors and visitors.
The association was called to order by
President A. V. Weisinger, of Mount Yer
ron, yesterday morning. Mayor Bookwal-
ter delivered the address of welcome, which
met with an eloquent response from Vice
President w. II. Hiss, of Plainfeld. The
remainder of the day was devoted to the
routine business of the association. The
reports of the officers showed the organ
izatiOn 10 be strong financially, having a
surplus, after the expenses of the present
session are paid. of about $500. During the
day twenty-eight new members were ad-
mitted. making the total membership in
excess of $50 The business was not excit-
ing until the committee on amendment of
the bylaws reported. The committee made
many new provisions elevating the ethics
or the profession. The committee sought
by interdicting some present trade customs
10 make the profession more humane and
less commercial. one OF the most interest
ing was a law against bidding for public
work at absurd prices. 1t has been the
custom of some members when bidding for
public work TO offer TO supply a casket
that usually retails for from $40 TO 500 for
the ridiculous sum of $50. The purpose
OF this kind OF bidding is to first secure
the custody of the body and then work
the friends or relatives of the dead persons
for enough additional TO make the work
profitable. After a full discussion of this
the members decided overwhelmingly 10
condemn and outlaw such practices. Only
a few such instances had occurred among
the membership OF the association. but
those who spoke on the subject indicated
that they condemned any solicitation OF
business and regarded II as the most un-
professional act a member could be gull
~ OF.
Last night the members were entertained
In the large auditorium with a vaudeville
programme. 1t was arranged by a COM
mittee composed OF H. ID. T~utewiler. A. NJ.
numbers by McNeely. Wells and Sherr.
who reduced ghost music, Professor KEEP
per. ]. Russell Powell, Mrs. Josephine Ed
munds, Harry Porter. the Burtons and
Harry MuTbarger. They contributed num-
bers bearing titles made familiar TO the
profession by their burial permits. The
whole vaudeville show was funereal in its
nomenclature, but not In it's spirit.
This morning. In addition 10 the regular
quantity OF professional papers. a special
memorial service will be held. During the
year three members died. They were ex-
President NJ. 4. Parsons. or Greencastle:
;. u. McCully. OF ldayille. and Dexter
Gardner, OF Vlncennes. Eulogies were read