The age-herald., 1897-11-09
THE PLUMBERS AND MR. KENDRICK The Evidence Has Concluded at the
 Meeting Last Night. ARGUMENT YET TO BE HEARD Police and Sanitation Committee Hill
 Report At NEXT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL Mir. Barber Said 99 Per Cent. of the Blumb- CTS Were Cut Throats He Would
 Not Except a Sin j W gle One.
ARGUMENT YET TO BE HEARD
NEXT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

Ths police and sanitation cornmfttse completed it's work of hearing the evil dence in the case of the Master Plum bers' Association vs. City Engineer Ken drick last night.
 When the last witness was examined it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that City Engineer Kendrfek would come out the winner. The committee has vt 10 hear the argument and make a recom- mendation to the city council. When the meeting of the committee will be held to hear the argument will be decided later.
 B. F. Barber was the first witness ex- amined last night. To qusstion from MT. Tanner, attorney for the plumbers, he relpied that he did not consider MT Kendrick competent plumbing inspec- tor.
 In the cross-examination City Attorney Lowe ask d the witness about the rules and regulations of the Master Pllmbels' assoc.a ton. The witness said there was only one copy, the one adopted in Mont gonrery, and that MT Gayle was mis- taken Saturday night when he said that h= had copy.
 Mir. Lowe then asked if there was any rule applied to rates to be charged consumers, and certain per cent. which should be turned over to the Mast:r Plumbetrs' association.
 The witness arose very comically, stretched his limbs, glanced around the room ard said rather defantly, 'sThe unwritten rule is to g t as much for your work as possible. There was laughter.
 F51.< eofl f1,a lf,o,- raf getting better prices for work had been discussed at ths meetings, but no definite action had been taken. The witness next startled the speeta- tors by declaring that 99 per cent. of plumbers were cut-throats. 1T don't think could except single one." said he.
 A Defective Memory
 The city attorney then put several questions to the witness in regard to work done in the residence of a MT. Tow CTS. His memory proved defective at first, but he finally recalled it. He ad- mitted to having used pieces of tin to stop holes in drain pipe.
 Mr. Lowe then asked him if he was familiar with the rules of the Southern Plumbers League He replied in the af-
 
 motto of the organization: For the pre- vention of disease etc.,
 Were you inspired by this sentiment when you did that worlx?" asked MT. Lowe.
 "Yes," replied the witness.
 The witness then admitted that the plumbers association had discussed the question of paying the association a certain per cent on each job of work.
 MT. Lowe asked the witness to give a reason for MT. KendriclS's incompet ency. Barber said he could give several, but he didn't care to go into details. The attorney kept insisting on the question being answered.
 "All the rules are not carried out,' ex- claimed the witness.
 ''What rules?'' persisted MT. Lowe.
 Don't care to go into detaLls,'' said the witness.
 Barber again arose. This time he folded his hands and declared that Ken drick d.d carry out the rules but didn't make a thorough inspection.
 "If he was competent. man. said Barber in loud voice. he wouldn't pass on the work being done by us." This was the signal for an outburst of laugh ter.
 Then you consider MT. Kendrick in- competent because he carries out the rules established by the board of mayor and aldermen, which do not require good work?" asked the city attorney.
 The witness evaded this question, and the next query was: Gan you state in your knowledge one case MT. Kendrick passed on which was not sanitary?"
 Nearly all of them are unsanitary." responded Barbour.
 He then said the last work he did was not sanitary, but was according to the rules of the city ordinance. He was asked if he had a job of work on hand now that in his judgment would be san itary when completed.
 "No there is not one in Birmingham" was the response
 A. A. Barnes was introduced. The sub- stance of his testimony was to pro- nounce MT. Kendrick incompetent as sanitary inspector and to allege par tiality He had three permits that had bsen issued to private citizens and not plumbers, which were offered to sustain the latter charge.
 In the cross-examination he said he - =