Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-08
THE PLUMBERS ARE ANGRY
Asserting That Water Department Is.
Going Into Plumbing Business.
A SAVING TO PROPERTY OWNERS
Commission to Put in Service
Pipes Free.

The plumbers of Wilmington are
angry at what they are pleased to term
the decision of the Water Department
to 60 into the plumbing business. On
Tuesday week the Water Commis-
sioners at it's meeting passed u resolu-
ton that when service pipes between
the street main and the curb need re-
newing and when water is introduced
into new buildings the department. will
do the work. Under this resolution
henceforth the department is to supply
tine service pipe. including the curb
stop and curb stop box and do all
necessary paving without cost to the
owner Of the property. 1t is further
required that the owner must put an
additional stop or cut off inside of the
| cellar or other place, SO that it may be
used to shut off tho water from the
premises independent OF the curb STOP
What agitates the plumbers is the
departments intention to put in the
service pipe between street main and
curb free of cost TO the owner. They
declare that this takes business from
them for which they pay a license and
| furnish bond. On the other hand il
saves money to the property owners.
Plumber Joseph Jenkins, speaking
| OF the action, said that plumbers
took out license the first of January to
do work and bonded TO comply with
the laws. BY this action the Water
| Department had taken work out of
the plumbers hands. for which the
plumbers have already paid license.
1t looked to him like making a plumb
ing shop of the Water Department.
He declared that the plumbers now
have stock on hand to do this work ana
he asked what they were to do with il.
81 think it is an imposition on the
plumbers, said Plumber William II.
Heine. "If they want to go into the
plumbing business. let the Street and
Sewer Department return our bond tof
81, 000) for going into the street, and
return our fee which they hold for
digging up the street. +"
Mr.. Heine pointed out suntlry dozens
Of curb stops for use in putting in tbe
service which he said had, Just come
in, and he also had stop boxes with bis
name thereon, which would be useless.
He wanted to know il the Water De-
partment, since it would do this new
work free. was going to pay the people
for the services which they have paid
to have put in. This scheme of the
Water Department doing the work had.
been tried, he said, about year ago,
and given up, he supposed on account
OF the plumbers objection.
| Chief Engineer Joseph A. Bond Of
the Water Department, was asked on
Thursday if he was aware the plumbers
were agitated over the action of the
department. He remarked that it
would be good for the people, though
not so good for the plumbers. The
action, however, will keep the plumber
from all responsibility for the bed OF
the street. Formerly it has been that
ths plumber had to get permit from
the Street and Sewer Department to
open the bed of the street, had to
stand the responsibility for any damage
that might result and had to repave it
as it was before. Now the Water De-
| partment assumes all that. Formerly
the owner of the property paid the
plumber $40 to $40 for putting in the
service. Now the department puts the
J service in free. Then the property
owner owned the service pipe. now the
department will own whatever it puts
, down.
The object of the action, therefore.
is to give the Water Department full
control of the service pipe from the
street main to the curb. In the past
/ when break occurred in tine service
| plp6 Lub pIOpOEbf oWnuI lud W pay g
plumber to dig the ditch and fix the
, pipe. In some cases where two service
!, pipes ran to adjoining buildings it
would be hard to tell which pipe was
in trouble when break occurred and
30 it would happen that the expense OF
digging the ditch might fall upon The
wrong man. With the Water Depart,
ment 10 full control the whole work OF
digging and repairs will fall upon it.
Chief Engineer Bond remarked that il
he was plumber he would be glad ia
get rid Of the responsibility. Two
years ago, according TO Mr.. Bond,
, many plumbers were in favor of The
3 department doing this work, but now
! business is dullsr.
t This plan is largely followed in other
. cities 1t will cost the department,
+ said MIR. Bond, anywhere from So, 00C
to So, 900 year, which amount will be
+ saved to the property owners without
any increase in the water tay.
In fall on Saturday Mrs. Cole Of
/ No. 507 East Twelfth street broke her
5 arm. Dr. George W. Quinn reduced
the fracture. H