El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1897-10-09
A LOCAL PLUMBERS ASSOCIATION.
Formation of Lead Pipe Cinch on the
City of Ell PasO.

A local plumbing association has
been formed in Ell Paso by the combi-
nation of three plumbing establish
ments, aud these three plumbers will
eventually control the plumbing busi-
ness of Ell PasO unless the other three
plumbers in the city join the associa-
tion. This assertion tooks broad and
unbusiness like, but it is nevertheless
a fact. The local plumbers associa-
tion is branch of the state plumbers
association and the state association is
a branch Of the national assoc alton,
while the national association controls
| every plumbers supply house in the
United States aud thus the plumbers
pool is made SO strong that no one that
| is not a mem ber of the local assOcia-
tiou can buy plumbers goods and will
be eventually forced out of business.
The three plumbers in Ell Paso that
have formed the association are Nc
Lean & Keays, Fred Wild & Co. and
Louis Ga ser, while the plumbers that
are left out are G. w. Davis, Momsen
| and Thorne and G. G. Tanner & Co.
Since the formation of the association
| those plumbers that were left out
have writer to the state association
| to find out what they shall do to be-
| come members and in every instance
they have been reforced to the local
association. The local association has
put the iniation fee at $500, although
each of them got in for $5S. This high
priced iniatiOn fee is what is causing
| the kick by the outside plumbers and
is causing great deal of correspond
ence between them and the national
and state organization, with not much
chance for remedy unless they pay the
$780,
The members of the association
claim that the organization will protect
the plumbing trade and at the same
time compel better work to be done at
prices not above those paid now. This
assertion however remains to be proven
and it is doubtful in the minds of the
lead pipe cinch on the city, and
this, too, just as the winter is coming
on and the plumbing calls will be
often.
citation and supply houses are so perfect
that builder or hardware dealer
cannot buy plumbers goods and it
leaves the place entirely within the
grasp of the association. The latter will
go before the council and ask that the
health officer be compelled to inspect
all building that have already been
conditions and if they are not plumbed
in a way that is healthful to the occu-
pants of a building the house must be
replumbed. This may be all right for
the plum bers and furnish them more
work, but it would ork hardship on
many citizens who may be compelled
to have their houses replumbed and it
is very doubtful whether the city will
take sides with an ASSOCIATION that is
really monopoly, and where three
firms try to control the whole plumb
ing business of q town and have the
laws of the city conform to their pool
ed ideas about hygenia.
In one sense of the word the associa-
tion is an advantage, as 1t only allows
good plumbers to do work, but when it
tries to form q monopoly by putting
the initiation fees SO high that it
would be unprofitable to join, there
will come reaction TO the detriment
Of The association.
ALI public works, such as water
works, gas works, public buildings and
charitable institutions do not come
within the scope of the National
Plumbers association. and they can
buy goods from any supply houses.
Thus the matter stands at present,
but it will not rest there.