The morning news., 1899-01-14
INSPECTOR CosGRovE's REPORT.
His First Year With Plumbing
Board

His First Year With Plumbing
Board.
The first annual report from the depart
ment of plumbing was filed by Inspector
Cosgrove with Clerk of Council Bailey
yesterday afternoon. In relating the do
ings of this young but important depart
ment IL is relshing to observe few recon-
mendations for Improvements, which gem
orally make up a conspicuous part of an
nual reports.
"I have the honor to submit herewith"
the inspector goes on to say, my report
of alf business transacted in this office
from May 7, the date of appointment, to
Dec. 81. A plumbing ordinance was passed
and the office of inspector created Feb 9,
1885, The object of this ordinance is in the
interest of the health of the city by nav
ing plumbing work properly constructed.
took the oath of office May 7, and there
upon entered upon the discharge of my
duties"
Inspector Cosgrove calls attention to the
fact that large number of plumbers as
sisted him in the enforcement of the new
ordinance, and on the other hand there
were a few who were inclined to be OBJ
stinate. He says he is satisfied that this
was caused by a general misunderstanding
of the new law. and not deliberate design
on the part of the dissatisfied plumbers
to defeat its purposes. He pursued con-
servative course while the disturbing ele-
ment wasaat work, taking due care not
to stir up strife that would Interfere with
the future operations of the department.
Proceeding with his report, Inspector
Cosgrove calls further attention to the
fact it has been but eight months since
the inauguration of the present rigid in
spection of plumbing work, the brief time
making it impossible for him to accom-
plish great deal. However, I am
pleased to say, a great good has been ac-
complished so far" he says, land 1 am
satisfied that with the same effort in the
future, as has been made in the past, the
end the city is striving for will have been
reached"
Further attention is called TO the large
number of Hopper water closets with
globe valves which are still in use. These
valves are frequently left open by care
less persons which allows the water to
escape, and thereby unnecessarily de-
creases the pressure in other fixtures. 1t
is stated that this trouble will continue
until it is removed. In this connection,
Alderman Smith Introduces an ordinance
in Council against the use of Hopper clos
cts, which, he thought, should be sup
plemented with others, but the ordinance
was lost on the ground it was not ad-
visa blp n Gnph q burden on he f1aOnla
as the change would necessitate. Alder
man Smith introduced the ordinance in
behalf of the water department, which
had suggested the advisability of such a
measure. A-
II have not inspected any sewer con-
nections," the inspector continues, (which
has had the effect of greatly reducing the
revenue of this office. Each connection
not inspected was loss of 50 to the office.
The superintendent of public works de-
rived the benefit of this, claiming his Of
fee TO be entitled to it, as the intention
of the plumbing ordinance was for the
plumbing Inspector to have charge of the
new system of house drainage alone.
There are a large number of buildings
with unsanitary and dangerous plumbing
fixtures in use. They viii continue so un-
til an ordinance is passed prohibiting them
from being connected to the new system
/ Ol IOuSC uIdlldSC5 uilltSS lISy dlS uldNle
| to conform to the plumbing ordinance.
The Board of Plumbing Examiners held
meetings every two weeks and made its
report to the Board of Sanitary Commits
| sioners at their regular meetings. l will
take this opportunity to return my thanks
to the board for its suggestions and assist
ance an facilitating the work of this Of
| fee"
I 1t is stated that bills amounting to 1925
| have been collected by the inspector, and
! were duly paid over to the city treasurer.
! The fees of the office come from in
| spections, which are charged for at 80
cents a fixture, and against whoever Or
| ders the inspection made. Many thought
when the law first went into effect that
! the only thing to do was to order out the
| inspector have the causes of bad plumb
ing located and the cost of inspections
charged to the property owners. Il can
not be charged to the owners, however,
unless the tenants have an understanding
about 1t. The fees are appropriated to the
| payment Of the inspectors salary.
The report concludes with a detailed ac-
count of the work done since the inspec-
tions were begun. 1t shows that the
closest attention has been given to the
duties the main object of which Is to Sc
cure better arrangements in the city's
| plumbing. That the office has been need
ed in Savannah for a long time is demon.
strated in the aid the inspector has been
! TO the health department, by which he is
frequently notified of places II Is proper tc
inspect and order repaired. While lnspec-
tor Cosgrove has some time yet to serve
before the expiration Of his term Of office
| il Is safe to say that in his brief connec-
| tion with the work he has shown himself
competent. The duties of the Office are to
jog at persons who violate the law, but