The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-07

Mr.. J. c. Conroy, secretary OF the MAS
ter Plumbers association, in an interview
this morning, spoke at some length of the
existing trouble between the master
plumbers and the journeymen.
During the interview Mr.. Conroy stated
that he didn't care TO enter into news
paper controversy regarding the strike.
by making any fruitless statements,
which In turn would only be contradicted
by the other side. No matter how well
instructed a person making statement
may be, he said. his mind may be misled
by enthusiasm for the side which he
represents.
WERE MISLEADING.
II wish simply to state" he declared.
'in regard TO the statements made In
last evenings papers that they Were mis-
leading and place the Master Plumbers
association In a very wrong light before
tho public, and also clearly show to per-
sons who know better that the informant
was not acquainted with the facts.
Continuing. Mr.. Conroy said that in re-
gard to the Master Plumbers association.
refusing to take in any outside master
plumber, or having any previous agree
ment with the Journeymen, that that
was untrue, as the old association had
disbanded, and the present one had been
organized and chartered but few
months, and had refused no one who had
applied for membership.
ONLY A PARTIAL STATEMENT.
Mr.. Conroy said that in answer TO the
statement Jhat the union does not inter
fere with the masters right to employ
non-union workmen, that IL was only a
partial statement Would the union
plumbers continue to work In that shop
with non-union men2 he asked.
In regard to the statement that master
plumbers are better paid than other mas
ters he declared II mistake, for the
reason that one Journeyman plumber II
sufficient TO take charge and perform
the work on any ordinary house or build
ing. where on the same job n master
builder would employ from three 10 u,
and painters and masons the same.
The nature or the work also, he said,
was such that when IL was apparently
finished no one could be sure of IL or re-
leased from its responsibilities until the
W. ter was turned on and tho work prop
eriv inspected and declared all right
his IN not so I'm other lines OF con-
str ction. IL often takes a day or two to
tighten up leaks after a job ls finished.
Mr. Conroy declared that no was frank
TO state that he considered the plumbing
business as n trade from the position OF
the journeyman a. well as from the mas
ter, and one that TO be perfect In re-
ouiras more than ordinary skill because
OF the fact that the workman is dealing
with work that requires thorough work
manship with careful and painstakng
regard for tho public health and 10 the
fact that 10 "a certain extent every man Is
responsible for the work he has per
formed.
MASTERS RESPONSIBILITY.
But further and beyond that. he con
tinued, In the responsibility OF the master
which extends over two or three years af-
ter the work II done.
In speaking of the wage question Mr.,
Conroy said in his previous interview no
felt he was not properly understood
ss75 per day OF eight hours was the min
lmum price 90 be paid, which included
SECOND class grades and often third class
grades. No person will deny that there
are different grades OF workmen the same
as different grades Of material. he said.
In tho present situation there are three
parties interested. Mr.. Conroy declared
the master plumbers. tho journeymen and
the public, and hardship Is experienced bS
all three an the means Of livelihood is In
49, IA ~ ntth1fr n iDrOnVe