Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-10-31
PLUMBING LAWS.

1ne. COMMITTEE Gives Another Hearing
ON the Proposed New Laws-A Neses-
sity to the Poorer Class of People
Who occupy Tenements-No Action
Taken.
The committee on ordinances last night
that shall hereafter be done in this
city in regard to drainage and sewage. The
laws were presented to the Court of Common
Council some months ago and referred to the
committee on ordinances, but no action has
yet been taken. DR.. NJ. G. O'Connor, Dr.
Wincaell, George M. Grant, Health Officer
Wright of the board of health, Prof. Brewer,
ex-heal,h officer, DR.. Lindsley, secretary of
the State board of health, and Messrs. J. II.
Buckley, Alderman Clerkin and Robert n.
Morgan, of the New Haven Plumbers asso-
citation, were present and spoke about the
newly proposed laws.
From what was said last night 1t would
seem as if plumbing laws were an absolute
necessity in this city. At present landlord
can put in any kind of plumbing, pipes and
traps in tenement houses, and the poor class
of people are obliged to put up with it. DR..
O'Connor related one case where, after two
children had died of an infectious disease,
contracted from escaping gasses due to poor
plumbing, the father told the landlord he
would move out if the plumbing was not
remedied. This was refused, and the con-
sequence was, that in trying to preserve the
health of his family the father had suit
Judgment was given in favor of the landlord.
This was all because New Haven has no
plumbing laws like other cities.
Prof. Brewer explained to the board that
he had made out the new laws, but not be-
fore he had consulted with a committee of
and getting their views as to the methods to
remedy the matter. He had first, however,
compared the plumbing laws of all the cities
in the United States that have them, and
taken the sections most suitable for New
Haven. In fact, he had made the proposed
new laws more lenient than those in any
other city. A penalty should be made for
all who fail to conform with the laws. He
said that in New York and Brooklyn they
were 80 strict that persons who put in defec-
tiva plumbing, which WAS dangerous to the
health, had been sent to State prison.
President Buckley of the New Haven
Plumbers association urged that the COM
mittee recommend the adoption of the laws.
He said that frequently he was called upon
cause he couldn't do it as 1t ought to be
done. He explained that plumbers were
compelled, however, to do work just as land
lords ordered, no matter II the plumber
knew Ii was most dangerous to the health of
the persons living in the house. He spoke
of several cases where he had found galvan-
lied iron pipes entirely rotted away. Filth
| was escaping, and the gases that srose carried
with them the germs Of disease. He said il
was the wish of the plumbers of the city that
| these laws be passed.
l he w. aak ad AkknrnAV G. III
| Hamilton of the committee how the law
were to be enforced. He said it would do n,
good to pass them, If they were not enforced
and make parallel Of those prohibition law
| in Maine.
1t seemed to be the general impression
amongst those who were heard that specia
inspector be engaged to inspect every case o
plumbing that is done. Mr.. Buckley though
| that permits for plumbing should be givel
out, and no plumber, under penalty Of fin,
or imprisonment, should cover up any of hi
work in building before he had notified tn
inspector and it had been inspected. Tn
city could license the plumbers, and anyon
who failed to comply could be disqualified
from doing any mere plumbing. In this wa.
landlords could get no plumber to do hi
work unless it was done right. The inspector
| should be a practical plumber.
| DR.. G. A. Lindeley said that it had COM
to be question with him whether the com
mittee intended to recommend the passing
of these laws. Thirty years ago the Com
mon Council would have taken no notice 0
them, as there was then no plumbing done
OF late years what are known as modern oeH
venienoes have been introduced into on
households, and they have come to be
necessity. With all these modern convenieu
oes has como great trouble. These laws ar
a crying necessity, and the poor people 9
the city have a right to expect that those VIII
have the authority should look to their SAT
keeping. Since six years ago, when plumb
ing laws went into effect amongst the tene
ments in New York city, the death rat
amongst that class has decreased III pc
cent. Many peopls think that the most dan
ger comes from sewers, but it ia well know
that house drains produce for more danger
GUS gases. They prompt all infectious dis
eases. Those who occupy tenements in TIL
city have right to expect that these Law
Will be passed.
Tho committee deferred action in exeor
tive session, on the proposed laws in orde
that it might be seen if they were legal
made out.