The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-05-16

it will be the duty of State association to
do all in their power to accomplish this
end. Some of our members seem to
think the express purpose of our organi-
cation was to give them monopoly of
the business when at the same time not
a single move is made to improve the
class of material work employed. Even
when an express written contract is
signed by the members of local asso-
citation, the object of which is to compel
them to comply with an existing ordi-
nance, (the city having no inspector). You
will find our grand practical members
finding some loop-hole to violate the
agreement because few dollars can be
saved. The constitution of our Nation
al association has for its special objects
the advancement of the trade in all the
latest discussions of science appertaining
to sanitary laws to create and maintain
a sanitary code at as high a standard as
the progress of science teaches, as well
as to improve commercial interests of its
members, etc. Every. member agrees to
carry forward with tireless zeal the great
work to which the above language re-
lates. We should be professional SANTA
rians, realizing the existence of poor work
men, strive to educate them by example
and contract. The first and all import
ant factor necessary to insure the sue
cessful working of the association is the
selection of cool headed officers, but not
so conservative as to indicate timidity in
standing up for principle. 1t is incumbent
upon every member to give the officers
/ their support. 1t is also necessary that
the members be true, one to the other
that is, faithful TO the rules adopted by
the association. To obtain the greatest
possible benefit members must be hon
orable in all their dealings, attend meet
ings faithfully, even if everything does
not exactly suit them, and submit grace
fully to the majority. That the master
plumbers are justly entitled to the profits
accruing from the material, is too well
established to require comment. Do not
presume that you can secure protection
gratuitiously, you must offer some induce
ment in return, and in this connection |
cannot too strongly urge upon the local
associations to admit no applicant where
reputation as to paying his just debts has
the slightest faint You all know that the
supplymen are organized for THE express
purpose of protecting their interest from
this class of members. They will be with
us heart and soul if we assist them, and
this beats compulsiOn. Master plumbers
should not only be working plumbers
but merchant plumbers and should strict
ly refuse to use any material they do not
my return from the national convention,
complied with A and b and visited the
local associations. how much good this
accomplished | cannot say except that |
must thank all the members for the kind
treatment shown. Our association is
consolidated in ideas and if the members
would only pull more in harmony, especial
' ly in improving the class of work, better
results would follow. The trouble is adj
,,,;t tinu1 Itn in,cln lInrS hin of hprS pXcpDt
practical plumbers because this class of
master plumbers have little regard for
sanitation and only aim to make the cost
money out of their job, true, u practical
plumber can be hired as a foreman, but
his interests are not identical with the
members of the firm, and | would suggest
that from henceforth the member who has
charge of the mechanical end of the firm,
must be a practical plumber. The
Trade Journal always contains sketches
of bad plumbing, our State can furnish
samples to discount them, investigation
generally proves that the parties had never
followed the vocation of plumbers, but
depended on hired practical plumbers,
or could not do any better themselves,
never having learned good job from a
bad one. If practical plumber. is not
void of all decency and shame he will
take pride in advancing his craft or pro
fession. Some objections have been raised
and with good reasons, that as rule
plumbers are poor merchants or business
men, if worth journeyman plumber de-
sires to start for himself, we should lend
him helping hand, encourage him to
strict business methods; teach hmm to rea-
son that a moderate amount OF work at
fair prices is more profitable than such
work delivered gratis. AS your president
| have especially to thank the executive
committee for attending to the duties
without constantly referring matters to
| the president Some complain that these
officers do not explain the nature of COM
plant when instructing the secretary
| to notify members, etc, but in the case re-
ferred to your president would agree with
them on general principals. AS your
special committee is composed OF mem
beers from different localities, complaint
against supply houses should be referred
TO this committee by the executive com
mittee for the reason that a more I'M
partial decision can be arrived at.
| For your delegates to the national con
yention choose active men and insist that
they must be inland at the opening day.
| The San Antonio local especially asks
these delegates to report that the con-
tractors for BeXar county courthouse
have received supplies from the United
States Water and Steam Supply, com
nany OF hanSdS CliS. W "iSo
State vice president to include TINS com
nloint in his report For full particulars
read the report on page IS to ", proceed
ings of Detroit convention. In conclus-
ion I ask every member of of your as
sociation to use all efforts possible 10
SION the sub-contract system. Strive TO
have city ordinances passed, ana goo9'
honypsh plumbing inspectors appoanpeui:
Pull together in harmony to improve WORK
and live up to our laws.
This convention should appoint spec.
ial committee to draft law and empowe..
this COMMITTEES TO be on hand at the next
session of the legislature to do all Ill ps
mower to have it enacted.
1-non the conclusion of his report the
treosurer's report was read, showing tnal
the association had some SlIoo 10 ms
credit and was in every respect pros'
porous.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Upon the conclusion of the reading OF
rho various reports of the officers the
association proceeded to the election OIL
officers for the ensuing year, which re-
suited as follows:
President-D. f. Sullivan, Dallas;
| ~ g FRA ZletOn, waco