The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-02
PAINTERS ASSOCIATION.
TO THE PUBLIC.

AT this important era in the history of our country,
and for the protection of profession from the reck-
less hand of innovation the undersigned, Master
Painters of w Washington city and Georgetown, have
formed ourselves into an association to protect the
Public from the imposition of bad workmen, and Sc
cure ourselves and families the means OF support,
by adhering TO system that Is founded upon the
broad basis of right and which secures 10 the public
the services of good and faithful workmen, whose
work must stand the of inspection and MEASURE
ment and which must result to the mutual satisfaction
Of the employer and the employed. For the last
eighteen years business has more or less labored
under very peculiar and disadvantageous circumstan
ces From the year 1909 to that OF 1923 our protes
SION as well as other trades appertaining 10 building,
each separate and distinct, and each trade was
governed by regular system OF prices, which We're
paid according TO measurement. The carpenters and
plasterers paid for their work. in many instances
to this day, by measurement and the brcklayer
generally, il nor entirely, performs his part, by lay
ing brick at established price per thousand whilst
the painters have not been permitted to use the mode
that they were formerly governed by-msasurement
We will further to assert that at least two
thirds of the work done by contract and by persons
acquainted with estimating, is at higher prices than
by measurement, and for the fact instances could De
produced. Whereas those who are limited IN their
knowledge ofhgures labor under many disadvantages,
and many Jobs prove detrimental 10 themselves and to
the employer and indeed, in some instances II occurs
with the most ealculaors, especially in new
and large buildings where it is impossible for paint
er, any other person. to get at the quantity OF wood
work that such houses contain and In every instance
taken from a rough plan besides, many alterations
often occur which from the same ends in dispute,
where both parties contend for their rights in the
tract. This the mode of measurement has the hap
py effect of counteractlng-the painter receives his
Jus, dues and the employer pays for no more than
wha, is measured IL is for the purpose that we wish
to put our profession equal footing with the 9TH
er branches of builders that have united ourselves
into an association which ought to receive the sane
ton of LIBERAL community, and every man oil pro-
fession OF trade, whose maxim Is 10 live and lei i've
With the skill of the painter, the most indifferent
carpenters work may be made TO look well and al
the same time the best carpenter work may be made
to appear Indifferent by bad PAINTER hence 1t VIII
appear nantes, that object is TO do usbe to the
Public and, at the same time secure fair remunera
ton for our labor Considering the unhealthiness OF
our business from the deleerous effects of lead and
other articles, which often produce disease and DEATH
and the loss of the winter, which, upon tar cacu-
laton, is one-thrd of time; TO remedy these de-
fec,s propose to make our business separate ana
distinct We have selected two thorough and compe-
tent workmen of our own craft as measurers and IN
spectors, who duly sworn and who shall allow a
price according TO the manner IN which the work
shall he done.
| 1t may be asked Of US, who changed the system of
our business This may be answered by referring TO
the years of 1895 and 1880 when a set OF men came
amongst u.s. and commenced mode of building by
contract that is by erecting buildings for stipulated
prices embracing the different professions SO low that
1t resulted rulnousy to themselves and inflicted
great injury upon some of our most important mocha
MICS, of old standing and utterly destroyed our good
old system OF building which left each branch of bust
ness to its own independent action, and which we
again wish to establish upon permanent basis, ex-
tending the right hand of fellowship TO those who
wish once more to see il hourlshing in the hands OF
those to whom it properly belongs The society in
order obtain the public support (rhich earnestly
soiiciN has come to the full conclusion TO put down
the prices so far below those formerly established
to suit the present exigences of the tunes, and bring
them within the system Of measurement only We
also intend to employ none but the best lourneymen
who are known TO be men OF good department which
1 is necessary for community that is governed by a
proper code of morals We deem here necessary 10
that all belonging to association have ai ed
their names TO this address, comprising nearly the
whole number of master painters, or only re.
fusing probably from selfish motive, or want OF
CONFERENCE.-THE latter most probably fearing the
system of inspection may operate rather severely
which we intend a a safeguard TO the Public We
hope, therefore, that the different shops Of asso
citation will he taken into consideration and fair and
! impartial trial given, which we feel assured will result
10 the public good For the public convenience we
| have printed our rules regulation prices &c in pam.
phlet form, and each member will constantly carry
one submit the inspection Of those who may wish
| 10 examine for themselves
THOS STANLEY, President
i w. D. WINSHlP Vice President
JHO P. STALLINGS, Roc'g Secretary.
c. p. SENGSTACK Corg Secretary.
JNO PURDY, Treasurer,
u. X OFFUTT, Measurer w C..
\ Il. NJ oEFUTT, Measurcr Georgetown
Jas Bayou, JAS GoDARp,
! Ggo. H.RyY, JAS NokEs
! WV. + Porter JAS MuRRAy,
| JNo. r CsssELL, M. +. PaRKER,
| Gro. w TAYLOR THos. PAYSE,
Tuos 7 PARSER, w J PRiSoLE,
| los, n CLEMENTS