The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-07
WOULD NOT SIGN.
A Large Firm Fights the
Master Plumbers.
AND 1T is BOYCOTTED.
Baltimore Resolutions i'm San
Francisco.
AND 1T is BOYCOTTED
RESTRICTING SALE OF GOODS.
The Master Plumbers Association
Has Difficulty About Binding
Business Men to Rules.

The Association of Master Plumbers is
having some difficulty with two large
wholesale houses, and already one firm
declares they have virtually placed boy
colt on it.
Since last May the association has had
In circulation among business houses
that deal in plumbing materials docu-
ment which regulates the selling of goods.
What the master plumbers ask is an agree
ment or promise from the wholesale deal
ers not to sell baths, pipes. faucets. clos
cts and the various materials employed in
house plumbing to every person. They
also desire that the sale be restricted to
themselves alone. In other words, this
agreement binds the wholesale dealers to
transact business in that direction exclu-
svely with master plumbers. The docu-
ment submitted for signatures is in the
form of resolutions. which, by the way.
are not obtainable outside the Plumbers
Association.
1t was rather slow work securing sigma
lures, vet the plumbers do not plain,
as all the leading dealers have signed with
the exception of two, HolbroUk. Merrill Il
Stetson and w. W. Montague IL Co.
Among those who have acceded to the
associations request are George III. Tay &
Co., Dalzell & Moeller. Crane & Co.. the
Vulcan Iron Works. the Lead Works. Ed
ward Douglass, who represents Douglass & Co.
of Cincinnati; Falk & Saeger. REPRESENTING
Nelson s. Co. OF ST. Louis; /. Rumsey. repre-
senting his house in ST. Louis, and Joseph
Budde.
The two Directing firms have caused con-
siderable discussion, not alone in he local
association. but in the executive committee,
grand convention of the Master Plumbers
Association of America. The society is spread
all over The United States, and, although sell
dom heard OF, II Is a powerful organization.
Cases like The question under consideration II
not adjusted locally are taken before the cen
trail executive body and as general rule Is
thus settled in conjunction with the branch
association. Failing 10 arrange the dlfnculty
In this city the San Francisco branch referred
IL 10 the Eastern people, who IN turn entered
into communication with the two obstinate
firms. For the present it seems Montague &
Co.'s case is in allegiance, pending an ad Just
ment Of the other one
All along. in reply 10 requests for their sigma.
tuIe 10 The plumbers resolutions, HolbroOk,
Merrill a StetsOn refused TO sign for various
reasons. The executive committee wrote for
an explanation of these reasons and urged the
Immediate signing OF The agree ment. sun no
change took place in the situation. Then a
committee of three. consisting OF John O'Dea.
Thomas Ford and j. Tobin, WAS appointed 10
confer with the firm and endeavor TO effect a
Sc Element by getting the signature.
The committee was not successful. as the firm
declined 10 sign, claiming The right 10 manage
Its own business as 1t thought best.
That took place on MONDAY, and yesterday
HolbroOk. Merrill & Stetson say they have been
boycotted.
"A man bought bathtub from u.s." said Mr..
Merrill, land he hired plumber to put II up in
his house. The plumber looked at the bath.
"'WheTe was hat bought % he asked.
"1he owner told him, and II once the fellow
threw down bis tools and refused TO touch the
bath. He said:
"'No. sir; / won't touch any job when the
material comes from that house. They won't
sign the agreement ana until they do you can't
get plumber 10 put up your bath ~
So far Dir. Merrill knew the bath is still
where the jOurneyman plumber left IL.
The situation Is this" said another number
OF the firm, "briety. The master plumbers
have sent US a set OF resolutions for our sigma
ture. These resolutions bind us not TO sell
plumbing material 10 owners or builders oil
houses. Suppose you were building home by
day labor, or contract for that matter, you
could not buy from any house except through q
plumber. You could not buy from Us il we
signed the resolutons-nOt even II you laid the
gold down there on the desk for what you
wanted Now We are of the opinion We under.
stand our business and have right 10 conduct
Ii as we see fit"
actually put their business at SandstIll, as nc
orders are coming in from places whence they
used to come regularly.
The plumbers, on the other hand, say that
owners or the public generally VIII not suffer
by the new arrangement Prices would bE
still the same and material could be selected III
wholesale houses with plumber. All they ash
is that retailing be not conducted by large
wholesale houses The plan d evails In the
East under what Is known as the Baltimore
Resolutions" which are even more bindnl
than those submitted by the local association
A meeting will be- held ana some action taken
but it is hoped that the difficulty will not la S