The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-20

years. From a yellow fever ridden town it has developed into one of the healthiest cities in the United States ranking next
 in this respect to St Paul and Mime apois. If these towns are working uh- der the same ordinance that 1t now pro-
 posed wherein is a hardship worked on
 the people of Birmingham. As the au- thor of this ordinance I am sincere in the matter inasmuch as l honestly believe In my own judgment that what is good Tor other southern cities, such as Atlanta and Mobile, must of a necessity be good for a large and growing city like our own. I requested the judiciary commit
 tee to hold up on the adoption of this ordinance, before any discussion or criti- cism arose over 1t, so as to give further
 time for consideration and enable citi- zens to appear before the committee
 It never has at any time been my inten-
 ton to rush this ordinance through with out the consent and appreciation or the people.
 Having shown the necessity of recon structing the present ordinance to meet the requirements of the rapidly growing
 city, I will now take up the matter of difference in cost and settle that matter for good The head of the Birmingham
 Realty company has seen fit to critieise
 a line of business of which he knows nothing as to cost etc. l will say that l am in the plumbing business and have been all my life. and 1t was not my ob
 ject to materially increase the cost to get a better thing for the people. To substantiate and prove this to be so I am taking contracts every day, which
 would be done under the new ordinance if adopted, and the additional cost does not effect any part of the plumbing ex- cept the difference in cost of a cheap closet and a good one placed In yards.
 This cost does not exceed $7.50.
 The cost is so thrilling that it would not be noticeable The ordinance does |, not provide for the removal of any work
 now in progress. I would be pleased to have any one come up and examine the ordinances of the other southern cities and compare them with this ordinance.
 I will take pleasure in explaining any part of it.
 I will now take up the matter of the examination of journeymen and master
 plumbers as to their competency and also the prohibition of the employment of in-
 competent men to work in private houses.
 Every city of any note in the United States has it's examining board to deter mine whether the man is competent to conduct a plumbing business and place the work in the buildings according to the anu III d SdnltdT4 Hdnncl, eX- actly the same a doctor has to stand an examination before the State Board of Health before he is turned loose on the public to kill or cure as the case may be. The plumbers examination is by far the most important, for 1t is within his power to create more disease by install- ing bad work than hundred doctors could cure. Do you realize, tenants and owners, that there is only a little body of water one and a half inches in depth contained in the traps under your lava tories and sinks between you and the most malignant and dangerous of gasses the fatal ''sewer gas" We know that there Is not man that owns his home that would wish to endanger the lives of his dear ones by employing bungling workmen. Is it possible that any firm or corporation with large landed and house interests would be so lost to all moral feelings, as to wish to murder the wives and children of their tenants for the sake of saving a few miserable dollars by the employment of botch and incompetent workmen.
 The expense of permits and inspections in the new ordinance is copy of the old ordinance we are now working under
 There are no additional fees or costs; merely copy of the old ordinance. I do not believe a case of this kind would occur, except through the gnor- ance of the owner to distinguish good work from poor. Sewer gas will find it's way into house every time if the work Is not properly trapped and ventilated, and 1t requires plumber with a thorough knowledge of his business to do this. In conclusion my reputation as busi- ness man and representative of the people of this city is at stake in this matter To create and have adopted an ordinance which would be so drastic as to be derog- atory to the interests of the people would mean both financial and political ruin. It is my intention to carry out the cour- age of my convictions which know Is right, and from which I will not retreat. invite any and all who are so disposed to come before the committee and have the ordinance fully explained, and I will promise that the ordinance will not be passed until each and everyone inter- ested has an opportunity to come before the judiciary committee and be heard. BEN F. BARBOUR. Birmingham, February 1S, 1905.