The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-29
MADE THE FIGHT ON coSeRovE
PLUMBERS WANT HIM REMOVED
MORE THAN TO SAVE CITY MONEY.

datiOn of Inspector of Plumbing
and Inspector of water Depart
ment-AIderman FARRELL Calls
Plumbers Down for Attacking Mr..
COsgrOve Instead Of Giving Rea-
sons for OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Received From All Concerned, and
Petition Taken Under Amusement.
People Favor Course That VIII In
sure Strict Enforcement of Plumb
ing Ordinance.
The Savannah plumbers were given
quite a lengthy say before the Council
committees on water and on public health
at a special meeting at the city exchange
yesterday, for the purpose of hearing both
sides of the controversy whether the
plumbing inspectors office should be con-
solidated with that of inspector of the
water department. Before the hearing
was half through the committee realized
it was listening to a personal controversy
between the plumbers, rather than evil
dence in favor OF a change to save the
city money.
Alderman Bacon questioned Inspector
Cosgrove as to his duties, and was told
by the inspector that he was in his office
from to o'clock for the purpose of CIV
ing such information as might be desired
by the plumbers. He was asked by Alder
man Bacon if this included the interpre-
tation of the plumbing ordinance, and re-
piled that questions frequently arose in
connection with the ordinance which he
found it necessary to explain.
Il want it distinctly understood that the
plumbers do not look to Mr. Cosgrove for
information" interrupted Mr. ]. NJ. Nc
Kenna of the plumbing firm of McKenna
q Welsh. Az the same time Mr. McKenna
referred to a time when, he said the
plumbing inspector had shown himself in
competent.
Alderman farrell, who presided over the
meeting, found it necessary to call some
OF the plumbers to order, and advise them
that Inspector Cosgrove was not on trial.
out that the object was to find whether 1t
would De saving to the city to CONSOLE
GATE the offices. Many seemed to have
lost sight of the object and expressed
themselves unreservedly as to Mr.. Cos
groves ability as plumber, and also that
ne was not conducting the office in ac-
cordanee with business principles"
AS has been stated in the Morning News.
the investigation is largely due to exist
ing differences between the plumbers.
which they hope to settle by placing the
department in new hands A petition was
hled with Council some time ago stating
thal the consolidation would be a saving
70 the city, and that 1t was advisable for
other reasons. It was signed by several
local plumbers. The matter was referred
70 the Joint committee. for an investiga-
.ioh' out at meeting held the other day
Tor this purpose, it was by mistake thai
lhe witnesses only of the Cosgrove side
We're summoned. While they were heard
II was desired to give both sides a fair
nearing, and with this in view. another
meeting was held
alderman farrell, Wells, Haas. BACON
Williams and Mills constituted tbe corr,
mttee, While the Council chamber was
WeA-hiled with plumbers, who were al
v t on the question. 1t was apparent
lhere was considerable feeling. and tbot
the committee was the tribunal for a,f
ferences among the plumbers. II did MOI
before them F04ieS was
MT W. n. Welsh was the first to snaal,
Tor consolidation. He said the nInnobe.a
are not satisfied with the way tbings arc
gong and that they desire a change bv
which the duties will be under. the water
"epd. tanehI. lie pointed out Instances in
which he considered partially bod -,
SHOWN ana later referred to Inspector Cos
grove, whom he did not consider fitted for
Inc proper discharge of his duties. While
MI welsh was making his statement he
was interrupted several times by Alder
man farrell, and requested to make no
further references TO MIR. Cosgroye. as his
ability or attentweness to duty were not
what the committee was considering.
Mr.. William Greer made a statement in
which he pointed out several instances Of
what he claimed was failure on the part of
Mr.. Cosgrove to perform his duties. He
insisted that the duties of plumbing in
spector could easily be performed by the
inspector of the water department He
said the fact that Mr.. Cosgrove did not ger
to his Office until O'clock or $50 as Mr.
CosgroNe claimed, was inconvenient for
the plumbers, who were unable to obtain
information until some time after they
had started work. To this MIR. Cosgrove
replied that all information from his Of
flee was generally obtained the day preyi-
Gus, and that plumbers did not wait until
this time to consult him on questions that
occurred to them in connection with job
Mr.. Greer asked Mr.. Cosgrove several
questions during the hearing.
Mr.. P. H. Herman was against consoli-
dalton. These who have correct Idea
of the quanncauons OF the plumbing in
spector," he said Twill not approve the
consolidation of his office with that of city
plumber After the city plumber finishes
a job. which necessarily throws him in
contact with dirt, the same as all of us. |
he may report to the superintendent who
hands him notice from the health Of
fee or the sanitary board to at once in
spect the residence .of a citizen. But be-
fore doing this due respect for those he
is to visit demands that he wash up. shine
his shoes, clean off the grease and brush
his clothes, all of which would require
time. The sending of a plumber to work.
and a qualified inspector to detect flaws
in plumbing are different things. The in
spector should maintain that dignity
which belongs to one who makes a spe-
cialty Of studying sanitary plumbing.
THE germ theory of disease Is recog-
nlzed by medical science" Mr. Herman
said, land l am glad physicians are Civ |
ing the matter attention. They are ac
quirlng a knowledge of traps, syphonage
and ventilation of plumbing fixtures. lei
the office Of plumbing inspector stay with
the health department. / have given this !
proposition study, and say unhesltatinelv |