Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-24
PLUMBERS MAKE AN APPEAL
Protest Against Projected Change in Compo.
sition Of District Board
Pian Of the COMMISSIONER stated q
he q" Exclude Journey men
Review Of the Laws


tiers Association. through a committee. of
which MIR. William III. Marsh IS cbairna,
Monday forwarded to the District Conn,
missioners a protest to thar board AGAINST
It's action IN changing certain SECTIONS of
Dill now pending in Congress 10 regu-
iate plumbing and gas fitting In the Dis
trIct OF Columbia. as TO incnrparate n
secuon amending the present law. IN that
IL alters the composition of the examin-
ing board. so as 10 make II consist OF three
employees of the District of Colombia and
eWo master plumbers. Under conditi,ns
~hich existed until recently the tourney
men plumbers and gas nIters were alsa
represented on the board
ihe communication states that the hill
ignores The tourneymen plumbers ami gas
Itters, VINO have had a representative ON
me examining board since its original or
ganization
we most respectfully refer You to the
past record 0: our representative VIII, has
peeh IN regular attendance at all meetings
ana mas proved to be an attentive chi
cient and gentlemanly member and is
we peiieve possessed of all qualifications
necessary 10 remain on said board We do
hot understand. when the members are
about to receive a salary why We should
lose cur representative since ne has served
without compensation FOR more than five
years with the present examining board.
The Test Commended.
We want TO elevate ourselves and our
trade, and il such an examination as is
contemplated were I'm operation. IL would
tend to make men see the necessity of
preparing themselves for this test: ana In
every home where plumbing is introduced
the occupants would be benefited and feel
more secure. because the journeyman
plumber would possess n license or GER
chcate to show that &c had cnsiifed be-
Icre an examining board, and was coih-
betent 10 do work in a skilled manner.
Moreover. such an examination would
be OF assistance to the skilled mechanic
and would assist him when he wished TO
engage in the plumbing business: and
when he applied for examination as an cm-
pi"yer, his certificate iourneyman
would prove 10 the board that he was
fully qualified to carry on the business.
AT present We are not responsible 10
laws governing plur.bing. but We are re-
sponslbie TO our employers for any mis-
take made as journeymen. and we claim
to construct and construe all work IN con-
formity with existing regulations. indie
our employers to personally suprrirtend
all work. and so they trust to our knowl-
edge and skill for its completion.
Matter of Inspection.
ITO us ii is a well-known fact that an
inspection or any test which shows from
the exterior does not prove that the interior
of the system was mechanically construct
ed, and If We were not men OF skill and
conscience defects would not be noticed
until after months of continuous usage. and
long after its approval by the District in
spectors. We state this as a fact and to
show that We are familiar with all branches
of our trade.
I'VE have i'm our possession copies Of laws
from various states on this subject. and
find that they have regulations similar to
those which We wish to put into effect
here; and We find that all the large cities
Of those states have i'm operation such an
examination Of which We speak and the
inhabitants are greatly benefited thereby;
and the population of some OF those cities
does not number one-third that of ours IL
Is our aim to have our city second to none
in sanitary laws.
I'VE hope. gentlemen, that your honor
able body will give this matter favorable
consideration and grant us a hearing as
early as convenient.
Indorse Section Flight.
The committee also forwarded a copy of
requesting the commission 10 put into OPP
GRAFTON section of the existing regula-
tions, which relates to the examinati ton of
every person who desires to work at the
trade of plumbing and gas fitting, and who
does not engage in the business of plumb
ing.
The communication was signed by WILL
lam ii. Marsh, chairman: Charles Nc
Gowan. NJ. j. Mccarthy, James s. o Hagen
and j. Carl Darrell.
Yesterday the committee received a COM
munication from Secretary Tindall ac-
knowledging the receipt of the letter. and
stating that 1t would be duly considered by
the Commissioners.