National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-30
The Plumbers, Union Protests.

EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: Having
read the announcement that the commits
sioners and building inspector had inspected
the new female workhouse and accepted the
same, the journeymen plumbers and gas
filters Of the District Of Columbia desire to
know by what authority these gentlemen
accepted said building when the plumbing
in said building had not been done in accord
ance with the regulations governing plumb
ing, house drainage, and ventilation OF
house sewers in the District of Columbia.
For instance, there has been used in said
building 1t-inch pipe to ventlate the traps
OF four water closets, two bath tubs, and
one wash basin.
Section 80 Of the plumbing regulations
says "The vent pipe for each water closet
trap shall not be less than 2 inches in
diameter, and for traps under other fixtures
not less than II inches, but If exceeding 10
feet in length this pipe shall not be less than
IA inches In diameter"
There are numerous other violations of
the regulations In said building which, II
mentioned here, would consume too much
OF your valuable space. Why have not the
proper officers carried out that portion OF
the laws enacted by Congress, for the en-
forcement Of the regulations for plumbing,
&c, which says: "Any person who shall
htSlcCb Vt IGlust W Wltu Jut re-
quirements of the said regulations when
promulgated shall be punishable by fine
OF from $50 TO 5000 for each and every such
offence, or, In default of payment of fine, to
Imprisonment for thirty days"
What benefit TO the community Is the in
spector OF plumbing, &c., and laws govern
ing same, II plumbing work is allowed to be
bOtched as 1t has been done in the new
female workhouse.
Persons building homes cannot feel safe
that the plumbing work in their houses has
been done, or will be done, according to the
regulations for same, when the District gov
eminent tolerates botch plumbing In this
new building recently erected by them.
taTho very persons to whom we should look
Tor the execution OF good plumbing are the
ones who have trampled upon the laws.
The Journeymen Plumbers and Gasnt-
ters' Union desires to caution the public to
be careful in having plumbing work done,
as their health, In great measure, depends
upon the proper construction Of plumbing
in the houses occupied by them.
Call upon some competent person 10 de-
eide whether you hayea good job Of plumb
ing or not. Do not rely upon the decision
OF persons knowing little about the bust
ness.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we, the Journeymen
Plumbers aud Gasftters' Union, us practi-
cal men, and as citizens Of the District Of
Columbia, do most respectfully, but ear
nestly, protest against allowing said plumb
ing work TO remain In said new female
workhouse, and insist that said work shall
be done according 10 the regulations gov
oTning house drainage and the ventilation
of sewers in the District OF Columbia.
In conclusion, we desire TO state that from
this time ON the Journeymen Plumbers and
Gasfitters' Union demands, as citizens, that
such laws as govern plumbing house drain
age, &C., In the District OF Columbia, be
strictly enforced Very respectfully,
FRANKLIN ASSEMBLY 2079, X. of L.,
Jouneymen Plumbers and GaslltteTs.
WASHINGTON, d, G., Jan, 2S, 1886