The independent-reporter., 1910-11-17
FACTS ARE PECULIAR
Another Communication Regarding
Care of Cemeteries.

Mr. Editor
Your article in the last issue of the
independence in reply to
Taxpayer, brings to light some pecu-
liar conditions and facts relating to
the care of our cemeteries and the
deposits for their perpetual care. Some
of these had been surmised, but the
tabluation of the several accounts Is
surprising.
1t seems that it matters not what
the individual deposits are, whether
more or less, the whole income. in ali
but one case, is used annually. re-
serving nothing for any future con-
tingency, such as resetting tablets and
the granite curbing. But the most
surprising enlightenment is as to the
price paid for moving lots. The in
ference is that some are much more
difficult than others, when, in reality,
those the most difficult are charged
the least and those the least difficult
are charged the most, the price
charged being from twenty cents to
one dollar and thirty cents for each
moving. and here the inference is that
the price charged is presumably on
the ground according to each ones
ability to pay, else why so much vari-
alton in the price? Take for instance,
Oliver Walkers lot, deposit 800
moving four times lone of the most
difficult to now $500; $l.00 extra; to-
tai $500. Then Hulah Parlins, 5000
deposit-mowing five times at soc and
three dollars and fifty cents extra
total $500. Then Helen Robinsons,
deposit $500, moving four times tone
of the easiest to NOW at Sl.20 with
an extra charge of $4.20, total 5000
Then Phoebe r. Sturtevant's, deposit
$500, moving four times at $l.00 $500
extra, total 5000 Then Gov. Coburn's,
deposit $500, moving four times at
$l.00, extra $3.50 total $500 And last,
E. S. Prescott, deposit $50, moving
four times at twenty cents, extra roc.
total $3.50. Others could be quoted
showing equal and surprising incon-
sistencies.
BY the reading of the article above
attended to the inference is that the
town furnishes all the tools and i'm
plements the sexton uses, moving ma
chine, etc, and, If so, the town owns
them.
The town ought to be glad to learn
these facts but is Ii not high time for
the town to take note of these things
and provide for suitable person or
persons to take charge of our ceme-
teries with suitable person or per-
sons to take charge of our cemeteries
with superintendent at the head who
shall see to the suitable care of the
same. and who shall see that the in
Of thn Pt,t le
nual appropriations are honestly and
judicially used? What is everybody s
business Is nobodys.' is an old say
ing and it applies to the present poll
cy now in vogue. so far as the care
of that fund and the cemeteries is
concerned.
Under the present unsatisfactory
system it is poor encouragement for
any one to make deposits to the town
to insure the perpetual care of their
lots. Under the law providing for the
care the donors have a right to ex-
pect not only proper care of the
lots but also of the fund reserying a
portion for future use
1t is now the middle of November
and our people have in most places
cleaned up the leaves around their
premises, but in the North Side ceme-
terry nothing in that line has been
done, showing the untidy condition of
the cemetery. Surely its appearance
IS a disgrace to the town. Possibly
the excuse is there are no funds to
pay for cleaning up the leaves and. if
so much more the disgrace for, with
the small amount of work done. there
should be funds from the annual APP
preparation.
TAXPAYER.
Skowhegan, Nov %, 1910.