The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-15
PLUMBING INSPECTOR TALK.
Council Committee Discusses Pro
posed Consolidation.

posed Consolidation.
The committee of Council on public
health and the street and lane commit
tee met yesterday afternoon to consider
matters referred to it at the last meeting
of Council. The committee is looking for
ward to recommending improvements at
the crematory, provided it is decided il
can be done with a reasonable expendi-
ture.
A joint meeting of the public health and
water committees was also held for the
purpose of considering the petition of
plumbers with reference to the consoli-
dalton of the Offices of plumbing inspector
and inspector of the water department.
AS some of the persons the committee de-
sired to examine had not been summoned
the petition was not considered, and ac-
ton was postponed until later.
There is still some doubt as TO what
Council will do in regard to the proposed
consolidation. 1t Is claimed that there
will be saving, and that the work will
be simplified by putting both offices under
one head while, on the other hand, it is
asserted that dissatisfied plumbers are
pushing the petition for the purpose of
throwing out Inspector Cosgrove. The in
spector says he found ii necessary to
docket some whose names appear on the
petition, and for this and other reasons
he feels that the efforts being made to
have the Office attached to the water de-
partment are largely due to his relations
Nit of boh nd ha
1T seems to us that the plumbing in
spectors work could be done by the in
spector in the water department" said
Alderman Bacon yesterday, (which would
he quite a saving TO the city. 1 think the
plumbing ordinance is good one, and be-
lieve its rigid enforcement means improved
sanitary conditions in Savannah. In view
of the work that has been done to bring
this department to its present state of
efficiency, it seems to me it would be bad
policy TO relinquish the work. The plumb
ing inspections should be continued, and
1 feel confident the joint committee will
favor putting the work in the hands of
a perfectly competent man.
Before any recommendation is agreed
upon by the joint committee, however"
said Alderman Bacon, AL facts pertain
ing to both offices will be obtained. The
committee will want to know the duties
of the plumbing inspector, and it will also
investigate the duties of the inspector in
the water department. When this infor-
nation has been obtained, the committee
will be ready to form its conclusions
Inspector Cosgrove has little to say
about the possibility of a change. 1t is un-
derstood there are several members of the
Joint committee who do not favor the con-
solidation, and it may be everything will
he considered before any recommendation
is made. By some it Is insisted that the
usefulness of the plumbing department
depends upon its being kept separate from
the others. The reason given for this Is
that the work is constantly increasing,
and If combined with any other depart
ment, one or the other will have to suf-
fer. It is safe to assume that the matter
will be thoroughly considered, however,
and the committees report made after all
features of the proposed change have been
weighed.