Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-21
HOTTEST TRUST IN THE BUNCH.
chicago Il the Iron Rule of the
Plumbers Combine.
Fhipa pn Do,t

The extraordinary accounts of the des-
potic and suicidal policy of the plumbers
trust, which includes the master and Jour-
heyman plumbers and the merchants who
supply plumbing materials, have attracted
wide attention in the community and
brought to public notice additional illustra.
lions OF the iron rule Of the combination.
me helplessness Of the citizens is absolute.
Building operations and repairs are either
wholly prevented or made outrageously ex-
pshslVe. Inc combination rigidIy restricts
Inc amount OF work to be done by a jour-
heyman, places restrictions on the introduce
tion OF improvements and practices extor-
ton and robbery.
1t Is impossible for any one to buy gas
pipe for any purpose. Only union plumb
ers are allowed to handle it. Even a
wrench may not be sold by a dealer in
pumping material to a citizen who wishes
10 DO the slightest repair work in his own
mouse. AS one man says, a little experience
with the plumbers and their fellow monopo-
lists in the trade will teach one more about
the possibilities of a trust than any number
OF books and speeches.
The trust not only def1es the public, but it
refuses to listen to reason and demonstra-
ton. II its object is to raise wages and
control the market, it is defeated by the
monstrous lengths to which the restrictive
policy is carried. Oppressively high prices
and ~tyrannical regulations discourage hun-
dreds who would replace defective and I'M
sanitary plumbing or build new houses.
There is less work, and consequently less
capital to be distributed among the mem
bers of the combination. While the public
undoubtedly suffers and the health of the
community Is injured by the arrest of i'm
proyement in the plumbing of the city, the
chief sufferers are the members OF the COM
bination, who are deprived of opportunities
which under a liberal and sensible system
would accrue to them.
II 1t Is true that a few men control the
situation, to the dissatisfaction and disgust
OF the body of its members. 1t is surely high
time the purblind and irrational leaders were
overthrown. Either the master plumbers or
the dealers in materials ought to declare
their independence of the trust and risk a
conflict in which public sentiment would
be overwhelmingly on the side of the boilers.
The refusal Of any one of the interests to
submit to coercion any longer would smash
the combination. Unless relief comes from
this direction the citizens will have to APP
peal to the courts.
Whatever agreement exists between the
masters and journeymen, or between these
and the dealers, is unquestionably in restraint
of trade and against public policy. 1t may
be difficult to secure valid legal evidence
OF an actual agreement. but sooner or later
an aroused community will find a method
of exposing the Illegal character OF the trust.
A firm whose labor-saying device the trust
has boycotted has announced its intention
of appealing to the courts. and the case
ought to be pushed. The plumbers trust
has no reason for existence, not even a
narrow, selfish reason. 1t Injuries everybody
and helps nobody. 1t is supported by ig-
norance OF the first principles OF political
economy and a despotic will.