The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-11
SAYS TRUSTS
WOULD DEVOUR
UNDERTAKES
At State Convention PreSi.
dent Urges Solid Front
to Combat Them.

One hundred members were in at
tendance this morning vixen the
sixth annual convention of the New
Jersey State Funeral Directors Associ-
alton opened its first days session.
President John f. Matthews, of this
city, presided. The meeting was opened
with prayer by the Rev. William T.
Upton. Mayor Jacob Haussling de-
livered an address of welcome.
President Matthews welcomed the
members to the sixth convention. He
said he was pleased to serve the or
ganization as president during the last
two years. He said that the society
had a great many things to accom-
plish before 1t became a perfect or
ganization. but that the officers were
not to blame in any way. The organi-
cation was in need of more enthusiasm
and interest, he said. City and county
associations should be organized be-
cause they result in bringing members
closer together and greatly assist the
State association, he added.
1.-The trusts said the president Of
the State association, ARE after us
and If we do not keep well banded to-
Rether they will absorb us one by one
until they own us body and soul. But
perfect organization can check and pre-
vent the advances of the trusts. In
order to preserve ourselves We must
uphold the organization"
Mr.. Matthews condemned the prac-
tise of some u~ndertakers who. he said,
resorted to degrading methods H. order
to increase their business. Some, he
eaid, offered a percentage others solic-
tied business personally or had others
do 1t for them, while many were guilty
of such unprofessional conduct as the
of handbills from house to
fhouse. All these methods, which have
such a tendency to lower the profess
sion in the eyes of the public, he said,
must be eliminated. A card could be
iplaced In a newspaper without loss of
professional dignity, said the president.
IAN incentive thai should bring all
members together is that the organiza-
ton Is well protected by law, and that
is recognized the country over" con-
tinued Mr.. Matthews.
Plans for raising money to help the
organization put certain reforms into
effect were discussed. The associa-
ton now draws an annual income from
the State, which was priated
som time ago. Members referred to
the hard fight than they had to put
that bill through the Legislature, and
said that it never would have gone
through a not the organization
agreed to return to the State whatever
funds it a on hand after having
squared all debts against the board
having in hand the distribution of the
State money. All who spoke at all ex-
disapproval of that clause in
that law that compelled them to re-
turn the surplus to the State.
Routine business was transacted at
the afternoon session, the entire tilne
being taken up with acting on the APP
plications of new members and then
introducing them to the old ones, and
the reading Of reports, of which there
were many. The executive Committee
reported on the application of candi-
dates for admission, and another COM
mittee reported on a new constitution
and bylaws. These were followed by
the reports of the standing committees
and special committees. At 4 O'Clock
the meeting adjourned to give the
members an opportunity to enjoy a
trolley ride to Lorraine, where dinner
was served at Bender's Hotel. TIL
convention will close tomorrow after
noo