The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-24
The Natural.Gas pipe Inspector.hip.


The resolutions adopted at recent meeting
of the Builders Exchange, looking to the pro-
lection Of the consumers of natural-eas by the
appointment of city inspector of plumbing in
buildings in this city. and regu-
lating his duties and powers is
one that meets my hearty approval, and hope
that it may become a law, and that the ordin-
ance will further fix a standard air test of al
natural-gas house service at not less than IF
teen pounds per square inch; and also regulate
the size of all street service pipe, location Of
stop cooke, unions, drips, ETC., based upon q
practical knowledge of their necessity. / would
suggest the following sizes which from long ex-
perience in the use of naturalgas. have found
to give perfect satisfaction, where the maximum
number of fires does not exceed the number in
Dictated follows: One inch pipe for two fires,
one and one-quarter for five fires; and ono and
one-half pipe. for six or eight fires, and two inch
pipe for all above that number. limited to fifteen
fires a single street service of that size.
But as to the second resolution which vir
tuaiy does away with the necessity of the first,
asking an indemnity bond from all that
would follow house fitting for natural-gas, bears
upon its face a mark of Inconsistency, contrary
to the spirit and letter OF good business princi-
pies. shutting out competition, and placing the
people at the mercy of few who would monop
olize the entire business. 1t is the open
boast of some local city plumbers that it was
made under the philanthropc guise) for the
prevent what they term slap-dash filters from
abroad doing work in the city; but when shorn
of it's disguise means prevention of legitimate
competitiou, thereby placing the people who
would use gas at their tender mercy as 10
time and prices. CONSISTENCY is Jewell" but
such resolution. should it become a law. would
only act as boomerang upon its projectors,
and compel the gas companies to take the re-
sDonsibility In their own hands. and employ
CORDS of filters in order to supply consumers
with gas Such was the result of like policy,
in the city of Toledo. and tmany other places l
could name Now to the term slap-dash
workmen, not having dictionary at hand, am
unable to give its definition, but take 1t for
granted that it means something but il the
term be applied to certain lines of house service
that have seen in this city, for natural-gas,
by some of these philanthropc prosectonists,
then faint CLEAN of light. as to its meaning
comes struggling through nv brain. and call
it poor work and incompetent workman, and
such as will not meet the approval of any COM
petent city inspector. unbiased by predjndice
or savoritism. have no objection to city plum
be rs having all the work that they can do. with
all the force of men they employ at good
prices, and be able TO sport diamonds from their
earnlngs-I have a.hugering fondness for one
myself-but fail to see the justice of prevent
ing competition from competent parties, who
unfortunately not to the manor born"
With the protection guaranteed to the
sumor by competent city inspector, whose
duty it will be to accept reject any work that
may be done in the line of house service, prior
to the introduction of gas into the lines, I fail
to see the necessity of placing the filter under
bonds for damages after line OF service has
been accepted by the inspector, when the only
accident that can happen must necessarily be
the result of carlessness on the part of the con-
Gunner away with such loeic!" Let everybody
work! Make Indianapolis the greatest city Of
the West. Under the protection of a competent
inspector these slap dash workmen will soon
quit, and HE themselves away to more congen-
ial chimes. GEO. H. DIAMOND.