The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-25

writer insisted that 1T was first neceS
sary to make the cemeteries veritable
garden spots of beauty, The sound, bus
iness.like reasoning Of this argument is
substantially supported by the recog-
nized fact that in certain well defined
sections OF our country the public takes
great interest in its cemeteries and there
the visitor will find preponderanee of
costly memorials. On the other hand,
there arc sections quite as wel-known to
us in which the character and value of
the monuments are decidedly cheap, not
withstanding that in many instances
these localities will record a greater per
capita wealth than many cities in which
we find more costly monuments. Investi-
cation will prove that in one section the
public takes pride and interest in the
cemetery, and that in the other they do
not. Obviously, the Importance to the
trade of fostering a universal interest in,
and regard for, the cemetery is vital
Many regulations adopted by cemetery
authorities appear ON the surface to be
arbitrary, futile and, in not few in
stances, seem to be directed against the
monument dealers interests. Mature de-
liberation and fair minded reasoning,
however, viii in the majority of cases
demonstrate that these rules have a
sound and useful purpose. 1t is vitality
necessary for the cemetery official to ex
haust every means toward the beautifi-
cation Of his grounds. The public demands
or prefers that cemetery which is the
most beautiful 1t is business suicide
for the cemetery TO be careless in this
matter, Just as in our field it is ruin
Gus for the dealer to sell and produce
mediocre work
When, OF necessity, many Of the Gene
terry regulations work to the immediate
disadvantage of the monument dealer,
one is liable to conclude that the inter
ests of the cemetery and Of the dealer
are opposed. In more than the majority
OF instances, the contrary is true. There
is no pecunary advantage TO the Gene
terry in discouraging stonework or in
any way interfering with the dealers
business. Indeed, if foundation work is
source of revenue, the opposite course
were logical. The sole objective, there
fore, Of all rules concerning memorial
work is the ultimate improvement of
the cemetery. It has been rightly sug-
gested that the cemetery is the monu.
ment dealers exhibit ground, and any
tendency, any force which enhances the
beauty Of this exhibit ground cannot but
work to the good of both dealer and
cemetery
To be sure, we may in many instances
feel that certain Of the regulations now
in force are far fetched and perhaps I'M
fair Nothing is to be gained, however,
by ill.feeling aud opposition of the ia
miliar kind Rather is it to be desired
that the trade as a whole will recognize
the fundamental purpose of all these
rules and by cooperative effort with the
cemetery authorities strive not only to
abate some of the rules, but to suggest
others. If dealers throughout the nation
would study seriously the psychological
Importance to their business of develop
ing in their communities a genuine inter-
est IN the cemetery, they would recog-
nize Immediately the need of sincere co.
operation with cemetery officials There
are, of course, isolated instances in which
the cemetery superintendent has an I'M
happy disposition or personality Just
as there are dealers with the same fail
ing. The problem before us, however.
personalities. 1t is big, fun
damental question, vital both TO Gene
teries and to dealers. 1t is a movement
above the level of petty per
sonal differences. 1t us inaugurate the
better cemetery movement. Let us rec
ognize the importance to ourselves of
popular pride in Gods Acre. Let us
broad, unselfish attitude in
the matter of all proper regulations.
Monumental News,