The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-13
PLUMBERS TURN THE TABLES.
COsGROVE FIRST OUsTED AND
WILL NOW BE EXAMINED.

in Himself and Five others Being
Notified to Report for ExamiEa-
tiOns-PIumbers' squabble APP
proaching a Ridiculous status.
The Winners Say They Are Not
Trying to Make the Losers Trou-
bIe-Master Plumber Welsh says
NOn-Lfcensed Men Must Be Exam
incd.
Through adroit generalship, the plumb
ers who figured in the fight against former
| Inspector Cosgrove ct al. have their bat
tories on an eminence. and are now pre-
pairing to let fly few broadsides into the
ranks of their former disputants. There
was some fun in Plumbing Inspector Cam
pos office yesterday, when Mr. L. A. Nc
Carthy called for information regarding a
notice he had received 10 appear before
the board of examiners 10 be examined
for a license.
From what occurred there it seems that
some Of the plumbers, who were identi-
fed with the former board of examiners,
failed on account of their public duties
10 undergo an examination and obtain a
license in the regular way. To have done
so would have required that they be ex-
amined by themselves. Former Plumbing
Inspector Cosgrove, Mr.. L. A. Mccarthy.
Mr. J. T. Collins and Mr.. L. L. Burpee.
all Of whom served on the board from
time to time, were notified yesterday 90
appear at the city exchange for an ex.
animation. Plumbers Floyd and Robider
were also notified to report for 4AA same
purpose. 1t was not stated in the notice
when they should report, but this will
probably be settled by the board in a short
time.
At the last meeting of the new board the
question whether those who had not stood
an examination on account of their services
10 the city should be exempted, was
brought up on petition of Mr.. Cosgrove.
who asked TO be relieved from an exam,-
nation. Under the provisions of the plumb
ing ordinance, it seems the board con-
Guided Mr.. Cosgrove would have to be ex-
amined. According TO section of the or
dnance, which regulates the issuing of H.
censes, 1t is provided that sit shall be the
duty of the said board to issue 10 compe-
tent plumbers, proper licenses au-
thorizing them to engage in the plumb
n
put before said plumber shall receive his
license, he shall first file with the the
Clerk OF Council a bond payable TO the
Mayor and aldermen of the city of Savan-
nan with two or more sureties TO be ap-
proved by the Clerk of Council In the sum
of $500, conditioned that he or they will dis
charge his or their duties as plumber in
accordance with the provisions of the or
dlnance OF the city. Upon the filing and
approval of said bond, the Clerk of Coun-
Gil is authorized and directed to issue a
receipt TO the said plumber showing that
ne has complied with this ordinance. 1t is
also made the duty of a plumber before
doing any work as a plumber, to register
his name and place of business in the office
Of the Clerk of Council. and to give notice
at once to the sad Clerk of Council of any
change in his place of business"
Another section prescribing the duties, Of
the examiners says that they shall exam
inc and pass upon the qualifications of all
persons who desire to engage in the plumb
ing business within the corporate limits of
Savannah. This examination shall salts
fly the examiners as to the applicants
qualifications as plumber and his fanil-
iarity with the plumbing regulations OF
Savannah.
There was a stir among the plumbers
when they heard of the action of the board
No doubt seems to exist in their minds
that those who have been notified will be
able to stand the examination. The rub
seems to be that after protracted fight,
members of the faction which started 1t
and are now connected with the board,
are the ones to examine those upon whom
they have been waging war for their al
legged incompetency and Partially in the
discharge of their duties. The Cosgrove
wing, or the ousted plumbers, are now to
pass In review before Master Plumber
Welsh and others who were at the head
of the movement to change things. Those
who have won the day say subjecting the
ousted plumbers to an examination Is sim
ply carrying out the provisions of the
ordinance, but at the same time they
wear a complacent smile that Endorses the
saying that whats sauce for the goose
Is sauce for the gander."
The belief by some of the plumbers that
the board intends to make Messrs Cos
grove and Mccarthy sweat for license
is denied by Master Plumber Welsh who
says the intention is the enforcement of
the ordinance. and nothing moro. why
| the motion 10 have those men examined
was offered by Alderman FARRELL who was
| a strong advocate of retaining Mr.. Co.'S
grove" said Mr. Welsh. IF the motion
had emanated from a member of the
| beard who had opposed any of those
] plumbers, there might be ground for be-
heving the motive was revenge. Since
this is not the case, l do not see how any
one can charge e.or any other member of
| the board, with taking any step prejudi-
| cial to those plumbers.
This fight has been going on long
enough" said Mr.. Welsh. ''end / for one
! believe halt should be called. l think
| il is time for us to settle down to bust
ness A great dea, has appeared in the
! papers, and our firm has been held re.
! sponsihle for the trouble TO some extent.
! The only part we have played. however.
| is in maintaining strict independence.
which we have done whenever we consid-
cred our interests demanded this course
We declined some time ago to go into AN
! association of plumbers. and from thar
! time there has been more or less feeling
! between ourselves and the plumbers who
did join. The association fought us ana
attempted TO rupture our relations with
houses with whom we had been dealing
for fifteen years. One house stopped SELL
! ing us because we were not in an asso-
citation. on another occasion. when we
| obtained a contract in Savannah I'm which