Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-26

Mr.. Muir by saying:
81 think Chicago has the largest plumbing
patronage in this country. judging from the
number Of people employed. One firm alone
there has 800 men"
"If that's the case" rejoined Mr.. Muir, ait
beats New York; no firm there has that many
men,"
James Walker OF Elmira, said. in response
to the bill" question: "Yes, we all wear dia-
monds, but we have had to earn them"
HAS the discovery Of natural gas generally
helped your buslness?" asked the reporter.
"No; if anything it has been indirectly of
detriment so far as elevating it is concerned.
The employment of common, everyday laborers
to put in pipes, because 1t is cheaper, is the
reason for this"
Charles G. York, of Baltimore, very bright
gentleman, said: Plumbers bills are the butt
of the people, because they have not the right
conception of our business. Everything we
touch or handle is money in one sense; that is,
piping material, labor and the care which, to
successfully give satisfaction, takes time. A
supposed small leak or any little matter in our
business requires strictest attention, or a whole
system of water pipes, gas or sewerage may be
ruined. Maryland is the only State which has
a sanitary law requiring every plumber to pass
an examination before doing business. don't
know much about your natural gas. admire
it though for its simplicity in its piping and
usage"
BRIGHT MEN WERE THERE.
Some of the most prominent men in their
own cities were active in the convention. where
bright arguments, witty repartee and some
times spirited spats took place in order to en-
l;r-ov, cio until fnr
conjugal gathering: business, wit and good
feeling.
The President of the National Association of
Plumbers. John Trainor, of Baltimore, re-
quested the session in a most parliamentary
and dignified way, to come to order, assisted by
Secretary Cory, Of Baltimore. The Baltimore
delegation presented the President with new
gavel as mark of esteem.
The principal part of the afternoon was
taken up with the reading of credentials from
the different representatives, which were re-
ceived from l96 delegates. Some little trouble
accompanied this from the fact that
few who were there had not been
mentioned; Especially did Missouri and the
State of Kansas become engaged in an argu.
ment all because Kansas City's committee and
Kansas States's delegates were inadvertently
considered one body. An explanation was
made and settlement effected readily; but
ubiquitous Boston, represented by ]. L.
upon the motion OF Chicago. made by Mr..
Young, that committee on resolutions be ap.
pointed. The yeas and nays were so evenly di-
vided upon the call of the president for vote
of acclamatiOn that "division" and count was
requested, Boston won on this by vote of
70 TO 70.
Major Foster, of Norfolk, Va, the first Presi-
dent and one of the original organizers of the
association, was present, and with his COM
manding presence and Southern urbanity of
manner lent vast amount of dignity to the
meeting. THE DISPATCH writer sat down and
talked with him. He said, wher asked about
the big bills of plumbers:
That's mistake; we have to outlay more
than we take in in nine cases out of ten. There
are fewer plumbers growing rich than men of
any other class of business. There is strong
disposition among the general association to
have nothing but day work" and pay for the
material as it is used in the contract This
is simply to satisfy popular clamor and to prove
that we do not charge beyond reason"
L. E. Goodman and L. d. Cross we're ap-
pointed auditors for the accounts of Treasurer
and Secretary.
HE LEANED TO NEW YORK.
Edward Murphy, of New York, who is
very brillian: man and intelligent writer on
sanitary subjects entered into the spirit of
the meeting occasionally. He said: I'VE are
now firmly organized and steadily growing in
greatest plumbing interests, on account of
size. Your natural gas here must be ofbeneft
financially to tine employers; but as far as our
distinctive business is concerned, it does not
enhance If. Most anybody can lay pipes.
There are most intricate things in practical
plumbing, not taken into consideration by
everyday people; therefore the enormous bills
which we are accused of charging is one
sided issue. held up by those who really receive
benefit from u.s."
Letters of regret were read from people in
almost every State. which consumed time, as
also did the reports of committees in different
sections on the pertinent subject of plumbing.
who are accredited with being ''away up'' in
the matter of money, cheerfully grasped the
hardened hand of the humber members of the
organization who are here representing their
respective places. They are all good, gay boys.
Mr.. Davlin, of Boston, was very active man
in the meeting. He said that he treated the
little witty thrusts OF the papers at the plumb
ers with philosophical enjoyment coming, as
l do, from the shadows of Harvard"
SOME REAL BUSINESS.
Aside from the airiness of few incidental
remarks, good solid business was being trans
acted. The report of the Committee on Ap.
premiership was presented. 1t in substance
treats upon the training of boys employed by
plumbers to degree of practical proficiency,
after which is attained he be presented with d
certificate from the National Association Ap-