The evening times., 1899-04-21

| the plumbers and the stove dealers were
well represented. delegates and committees
being present from the District Stove
dealers Association and the Master Plumb
! ers Association. The cause of the former
was championed by Henry Hammond. who
was chairman of the committee from the
Stovedeaiers Association. consisting of F.
5. Hodgson, W. S. jerks, Joseph Mathy.
| and A. S. Johnson. The plumbers were out
| in force, and their side of the controversy
| was upheld by Robert B. Caverly, William
Cook. T. V. Noonan. and others.
As spokesman for the stove merchants,
Mr.. Hammond began his argument by say
ing that the act OF Congress which estab-
lished the plumbing regulations was ap-
proved with the intention of having the
public health protected against poor sani-
| tary work. 1t was not, in his opinion. in
tended TO operate against any particular
class of mechanics which might be in
position to do the required work properly.
He claimed that short plumbing inspections
did not properly come under the supervis-
ion of the plumbing inspector as no per-
mits were required when such connections
were made. The regulations should not op-
crate to permit only few scientific men
to do the work when it might be done by
large number of good mechanics. Under
existing conditions stove dealer could
, make connection between boiler and
range without hiring plumber to do the
work. The law compelled him to have
plumber do the work when he could do it
Just as well himself. In this way two
classes OF mechanics were required to do
work which one class might easily accom-
plish. Mr.. Hammond then read a petition
as follows:
We, the undersigned stove dealers of Wash.
ington. request modification OF the regulation
providing for plumbers only TO correct ranges
ic
hot water heating. business engaged in bv sew
eral OF those whose names appended to this
paper Plumbers, as a rule. do not deal in
ranges and waterbacks, and parties purchasing
ranges are liable to Inconvenience and expense
in their endeavors to locate the responsibility
for any defects which may develop in water
backs after ranges are connected with boilers
Stove dealers cannot obtain promptly the serv.
ices OF plumber, except by having him accom-
pany the range to the house of the purchaser and
wait for hours until the work Of the stove dealer
is complete. This procedure adds to the cost
OF the stoves. and gives pecuniary advantage to
the few stove dealers who have a plumbers IL
cense over the dealers who have license. In
Justice to all concerned, earnestly solicit
favorable action on this petition
The petition was endorsed by nearly ev-
cry prominent stove dealer in the city Mr..
Hammond cited numerous instances where
In doing hotel range repairing, it was i'm
possible to wait for plumber or to ob-
tain the services of a plumber in time. He
explained that the stove dealers were not
desirous Of doing plumbing work. but
wanted to make only the connections be-
tween stoves and ranges and boilers. 9th
er stove dealers endorsed Mr.. Hammond's
remarks.
Mr.. Caverly, speaking in behalf of the
plumbers, said that they should make the
connections In question. as a large amount
Of technical knowledge was required to
do such work Numerous instances were
referred to in q general way charging the
stove dealers with bad work, and the lat
ter, in reply. cited cases where work equal
ly as poor had been dohe by the plumbers.
The Commissioners admitted that each
side could do tbe work properly, and said
that the question Of past errors would not
enter into the question, the mistakes be-
Ing we'll balanced on each side.
II. Aathy, speaking for the stove men,