The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-10-27

certain lot, and perhaps expects to
have use for 1t In the future, refuses to
care for, or pay for the care of the
same, although this very same lot never
cost them one cent, having been, as a
rule, paid for by their parents who now
lie buried there. Many of these neg
leeted lots are owned by persons who
can well afford to give the last resting
place Of those they loved better at
tention.
The charge for a season IS care varies
according to the size of the lot, and is
from $3.50 upwards. The same size lot
that this Association charges $1.50 for
would cost in many cemeteries $500 per
season, and yet it seems, that the only
way to make certain persons pay is to
force collection. Some people are full of
theory and love to see things kept beau
tiful as long as it costs them nothing.
All bills are sent out May 1st of each
year, and are payable in advance and
not at the end Of the season. Many of
the lot owners have neglected to pay
their bills, though they have received
not less than five statements at differ
ent times. The officers of this Associa-
ton receive no pay for any work done
by them, and it certainly takes time and
costs money to make out bills and to
see that the work is properly carried
on. Therefore, [ trust that all persons
owing this Association will settle their
accounts at once, and | would suggest
that unless these various bills are paid
within a limited time some action be
commenced for the collection of the
amounts. No doubt you are aware that
the Kenosha Cemetery Association is a
legally organized corporation, doing
business under Chapter SO, Section 1442
and following sections of the Laws of
1898 and amendments thereto. Under
this Chapter the Association is author
lied to collect the amounts due for the
care Of lots. However, much would I
regret to have this Association start
an action against any lot owner for not
properly caring for his lot, in which,
perhaps, lies father, mother, wife or
children: Labor cannot be done unless
tits paid for, SO L trust all those owing
will call on the treasurer and settle at
once.
AS the years go by families scatter;
those nearest in relationship pass away;
other interests engage the minds and
lives OF the younger generations, until
finally no one remains who will expend
the necessary sum annually to keep the
family plot from falling into a neglect
ed and unkempt condition, and, no
doubt, the future care of the cemetery
depends largely upon those few who
now have the same in charge, and as
there are numerous cases where families
have died out or moved away, such neg
lected lots are serious detriment to
surrounding lots.
There is only one safe and sure
method of avoiding this, and that is by
creating large fund to be held in trust
for the purpose. No small amount will
suffice; it must be large enough so that
when the time comes the income will
be sufficient to carry on the work. Trust
funds safely invested do not yield large
incomes. The fund must ultimately
reach eighty to one hundred thousand
dollars. Much thought has been given
the subject, and a plan has been ev-
olved, which, it is believed, will COM
pletely solve the problem at this GENE
terry.
There is now in the Perpetual Care
fund the sum of $685., of which $12,-
600 is invested in good mortage secur-
tiles, drawing not less than so and
per cent per annum. The interest is
added to the principal, and this should
be continued until such time as it be-
comes necessary to use the same. All
must admit that certainly this is a good
showing for so short time. Many lot
owners have placed their lots under per-
petual care, and many others will, no
doubt, do so int the near future. and it is
very probable that if the opportunity
for perpetual care fund had presented
itself years ago, many who have gone
before us would have provided for the
proper care of their lots, and by this
time the fund would be large enough so
that the interest on same would care for
the cemetery for all time to come.
The purchase of a cemetery lot is gen.
orally the outgrowth Of Immediate ne
cessity, but the provision for it's main
tenance is the mark of remembrance,
and, admitting that the individual effort
of the original owner can be but tenn
porary, is it to be expected that his sue
cessors will accomplish more9 To those
who desire to make provision for the
care of their cemetery lots by will, it is
suggested that the trustees of the AS
ISOLATION be consulted with reference
to the proper stipulation to secure the
exact wishes Of the lot owner.
In this connection another matter of
great Importance to the lot owner may
be disposed of, that Of securing his last