The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-19
PROVIDENCE
PLUMBERS Dine.
New Library Opened Speeches
by Prominent Members.
INSPECT0R BEMlS TALKS.
He Spoke Of the Necessity Of Plumbers
Having Practical knowledge Of Effects
Of Poisoned Air.
IN.pECToR BEMs TALKS.

The new library Of the Providence
Journeymen Plumbers association was
formally declared open last evening. the
members of the association gathering for
that purpose and to enjoy a banquet at
the Labor Temple.
The library contains q good assort-
ment OF trade publications and books on
subjects relating to the practice of sani-
tary plumbing. and which is exhibited
along with a number Of practical exam
pies Of kinds OF plumbing work.
There were about rs present at the ban
quet and fully q hundred at the meeting
which followed
Inspector OF Plumbing Reuben 8. Benz
Is was the principal speaker OF the even
ing and spoke In part az follows:
There are 30 many matters of vital In
terest that could be discussed on an oc-
casion OF this kind that II Is difficult 20
make a selection, but / shall select for
the subject of my few remarks the de-
velopment OF the sanitary engineer.
IN TWO HEADS.
During the first half of the 18th CEN
tury engineers were classed under two
heads, military and civil. The military
engineers were those who did work or an
engineering character In connection with
military operations. They built forts. mil
itary roads, bridges and other structures
whose primary purpose was FOR military
operations and for facilitating offensive
and defensive movements Military engi-
neers were. as a rule. soldiers first and
engineers second.
Under the head OF civil engineers were
classed all those men who had to do
with engineering work which did not per-
tain to military operations. All engineer
ing work OF whatever character which
was not military, was done by the civil
engineers.
Toward the middle Of the 18th century
the civil engineering work became so
varied and diversified that engineers other
than military engineers were classed
under two heads. namely civil and me-
chanical engineers. Later each OF these
large branches, civil and mechanical en-
gineering. were sub-divided into number
of smaller divisions, and the engineers
who did work pertaining to one OF the
smaller divisions was termed an cleo
trical engineer, a sanitary engineer,
steam engineer, bridge engineer, a
structural engineer. or heating ana
ventilating engineer. depending upon the
branch of work In which he was engaged.
1T Is OF the sanitary engineer j now
desire to speak, a class to which every
plumber within sound of my voice should
aspire to elevate himself. by acquiring
the necessary theoretical knowledge In
addition TO the mechanical skill
MUST BE PRACTICAL.
"The modern sanitary engineer must be
a practical plumber and have. TO GER
tain degree. that kind OF knowledge which
a physician has. In order to enable him
TO determine what are the effects OF
poisoned air and disease germs upon the
health and well-being of the occupants
OF rooms
He must know these things not only
from the standpoint OF the physician, but
also from the standpoint of the plumber
from the standpoint OF one who, knowing
the good or bad effects of certain things,
IL capable of devising means by which
the bad effects may be eliminated and
the good effects only preserved
HE must know these things In such a
way that he can appear before board
consisting entirely of laymen, or Of lay
men and physicians, and be able to tell
what things are necessary for the proper
plumbing and drainage OF structure In
order that the person occupying that
structure may live I'm II with comfort
and convenience and without deiriment
to health.
81 have thus made a brief reference "a
a few things which the plumber should
understand. from the point OF view of the
physician l will now endeavor to still
more briefly mention the knowledge he
should possess from the standpoint oI
the engineer The first step I'm this di-
rection should be To acquire knowledge
OF physics.
by studying this science, the plumber
will become conversant with the princl-
pies and laws of hydraulics. hydrostatics
pneumatics. gravitation. the mechanical
powers, etc.
The plumber should also be able "a
compute the dimensions and capacities
OF different vessels, which hold liquids. as
well as the areas OF pipes. whether used
i'm the water supply or the drainage sys-
tenn.
The future is before you. and with the
well-eduipped library which this asso-
citation will possess. 1t Is up to the in
dividual, as the saying goes, to make
good In his chosen calling"
others who addressed the meeting were
T. Tierney, ex-president OF the National
Association OF Master Plumbers; John c
Dunn, ex-president OF the State Associa
| ton OF Master Plumbers; Thomas II
Manney. president of the local Mastei
| Plumbers. with President James Cum o.
tho local association. presiding