The Washington times., 1905-01-30
SOME PLUMBERS
NOT COMPETENT
Samples of Defective Work
Are Exhibited.
SHOW GREAT CARELESSNESS
Journeyman Plumber Says That the
Plumbing Regulations Are Good,
if Properly Enforced.
SHOW GREAT CARELESSNESS

There are half a dozen samples of
defective plumbing in the office OF
Plumbing Inspector Davis, at the Dis
trict Building, which tend to show that
certain Washington registered master
plumbers are incompetent to culpable
degree
The plumbing inspectors have brought
about q vast Improvement in plum bing
conditions in the District, but it is con-
ceded that with the small force avail
able in the inspectors Office and the
skill with which number of plumbers
cover up their defective work, poor
plumbing is often installed
Many times the inspectors are able to
discover the defect in the work before 1t
is covered over with woodwork or fix
lures, but often the carelessness or
ignorance of the worker is not evident
until several years have elapsed
Criminal Carelessness.
The most recent dicovery of criminal
careIessness in plumbing occurred In
the house of a well-known Washington
ian, IN the Northwestern part of the
city. A communication to The Times
from journeyman plumber, who IS ac-
quainted with the facts IN the case,
cites this case as an instance of how
the plumbing regulations are not en-
forced His communication Is in an
swer to the letter recently referred TO
in The Times from Mr.. Nolan, who
commended the work of the Plumbing
Inspector, and argued in favor OF the
proposed master builders bill, because
of the success resulting from the plumb
ers' law.
Used Putty, Not Solder.
A well-known master plumber, belong
ing to the Master Plumbers Association
and licensed by the District, was warn
ed by the Plumbing Inspector last week
that a repetition of such work as came
to light in the house in question would
result in serious consequences 1t is
also said that the owner of the prop
erty on which the .lumhing was done
will attempt to secure a judgment foI
damages against the plumber The lat
ter is understood to employ non-uniol
plumbers, and TO have antagonized tbs
union iogrneymen.
There IS no law requiring Iourneymer
plumbers to pass an examfna ton, and
the violation of the plumbing regulation:
under question is charged to the igor
ance or negligence of journeymen plumb
ers, though 1t is not the first complain
icSiStciSd the pIGC1Del
employing them.
The work was done three years ago
and passed by the plumbing inspector
The joints on the pipe in question ap
peared TO be in good shape, and NJ
fault was found with the material. TIL
inspector, of course, was unable to ex
anime within the joints, and as tn
Plumbing stood the test and did not leak
1t was approved. Only recently did TIL
amateur workmanship come to light
When II was necessary to tear out tn
old plumbing to clean out the pipes
which had become ciogged as the resul
or the manner in which the plumber
had joined together two pieces of pipe
hammering the edges together TO fit il
such way that a ridge was left OF
which lint. paper, and dirt graduall
gathered until the pipe was closed In
stead of soldering q fiange TO the uppe
end OF the pipe, the plumber used putty
winch was hidden from the view of III
inspector by the woodwork
Having once officially approved tn
work the Plumbing Inspectors office /
not believed to have any r,eans b
which to revoke the plumbers license
though action may be taken TO proven
It's renewal -