The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-14
Pi UNBERS ENTER A COMBINE.
.r,,,,-, UNITE FOR THEIR OWN PRO-
LECTION AND BENEFIT.

san for This Action the InsufIi-
..ient Protection Afforded by the
laws TO Sub-cOntractOrs They
Also Feel That the Plumbing Craft
:. entitled to More Distinct Rec
nrnftion-Prcsident l.. A. McCar-
tb,- Explains the situation and the
Purposes of the Organization.
r3a master plumbers of Savannah have
,rs.,riged an association known as the
savannah Plumbing Association. An
.-rasmeut has been entered into an an
r7u1eement Of which was made in yes
ter5avs Morning News. The agreement
is elective Sept. l, and relates to The
method of making contracts for plumbing
.,orj5 Ii is said that the association is
na, for the purpose of increasing prices,
though the heavy advances in the prices
OF al lines of plumbing material has
re,essitated already an advance in prices
Tor plumbing work, as property owners
arc well aware.
Mr. l.. A. Mccarthy is president of the
association. Mr.. 7. J. O'Brien secretary,
anl Mr. p. Il. Herman treasurer, all
forrreeen names attached to the notice
published in the Morning News include
probably every plumbing firm in the city.
T1e object of the association, as stated
by President Mccarthy, is two-fold. 1t is,
first, to furnish to the plumbers the protec-
sion which the laws of Georgia do not
give TO them, or other sub-contractors,
and. second, to give the plumbers the
Standing in the business community to
which they feel themselves entitled.
''rbe condition of the building trades in
This city at present" said Mr.. Mccarthy,
"is such as to make an organization of
lhis kind absolutely necessary for the
plumbers. The large amount of building
going on has attracted a number of new
contracting firms, ana the competition for
business among the contractors is such
that many of them are taking contracts at
Iri. IS which can hardly result TO them
Otherwise than in loss. Now, when a con-
tractor fails the sub-contrac tors fose. The
laws arc not sufficient for the protection
OF the Sub-C0ntractors. contractor may
complete the building on which he is en-
Eaged and yet have no money with which
to pay his sub-contractOrs. The sub-c0n-
tractors are helpless. The contractor has
3
sub-c0nTactors cannot proceed against
lht ufoDerlX.'
"Our dealings with the established con-
tracing firms here nave been satisfactory
I'm he main and our losses on this scare
have moi been large. It is the present con-
diu5ns which force US to organize for our
own protection against what we believe to
DO inevitable. With the constantly adj
Vaucing prices of material those contrac-
tors who are taking work on close esti-
mates az present prices are bound to find
themselves losers sooner or LATER. We do
Not care TO share in their loss. With the
hlh prices now paid for plumbing ma
ttHal one large loss WIN wipe out the
profits of a years work. Many of these
new contractors are strangers to us and
We have no means of knowing their reia>
] billy as 10 the carrying out Of their con-
tracts"
Then again." said Mr.. Mccarthy, "un-
der the present system of acting as sub
contractors The plumbers do not get the
recognition to which they are entitled.
We think we con obtain a better stand
lns in the community by making con-
taets direct with the property owners In
uis way We not only insure ourselves
against loss in case of the failure of the
contractor but we are recognized as
factor in the building of the house. Now
aIays when You hear the question asked
Loson, or Sullivan. or Rabey, or No0nan.
or some other contractor Ii is seldom
asAed whether Mccarthy, or OBrien, or
eraar, or some other plumber did the
Plumbing. The plumbing work is an i'm
lofant feature in a modern house and
iue plumber is entitled to recognition for
MS work. Besides. under this system
WHere the property owner contracts with
tne plumber he viii exercise some jude>
ment and discrimination in selecting his
pumper, and plumbers reputation viii
sand him in some stead, whereas, under
tne present system it is to the interest or
me contractor to have the plumbing done
as cheaply as possible"
ne association is not organized for the
PlIIose OF Increasing prices, them" Mr..
Mccarthy was asked
NOT az ALL he replied. at is merely or
tthZed for our mutual protection and
"heht on The lines stated. The plumbers
nave found il necessary to advance prices
somewhat because of the constant advance
H the price of materials, but the increase
iu prices mas not been propOrtionate to the
Increased cost of materials. Almost every
eay now we receive notices from supply
muses. Withdrawing quotations. The
plumbers are now working on a small mar
si' because of the increased cost of their
goods"
Mr.. Mccarthy said that both the con-
tne same difficulty. While there are many
contractors and many plumbers and con-
sidetahle competition in both lines it is
"iIhcu-t 70 get journeyman workers, many
%, me latter having set up for themselves.
0hliled workingmen are in demand both
eiAens plumbers and the contractors.
Nearly every plumbing firm in the city
Nou4d use one or two more men, he said.
Nearly all the master plumbers in the
Guy nave gone into the association, Mr..
mccarthy said and to insure their stand
ing by the agreement each member has
gwen a bond which will be forfeited in
case OF failure to stand up 10 the agree
meht This means that after Sept. l. the
eaie ON which the agreement goes into ef-
rect contracts for plumbing must be
made either by owners or architects separ-
ateiy from the contracts with the builders.
REV. Mn. CAHsWELL's SERMONS.
His DiscOurses at the Duffy street