The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-05
BE A PLUNfNIER.
One OF the Best Trades Young MAJ
Can Learn.
popular MechanicS1

popular Mechanics)
Building operations throughout
America to-day are held up by the
shortage of men familiar with some of
the building trades. OF these the de-
mand for plumbers Is greater than all
others combined. The astonishing
shortage OF men in this trade cannot
be better shown than by the fact that
in that portion of New York City south
Of Eighth street, the most densely
populated part Of the city, there is only
one bathroom for every 1000 people.
These startling figures are absolute
facts, being taken from recent article
published in Sanitation: this article
stating that the lack OF men able to
install a sanitary system is such that
building operations are carried on at
such great speed that the men who
can do that part Of the work cannot
be obtained to handle 1t all.
When the demand for men In GER
tain trade becomes greater than the
supply, it stands to reason that the
wages for men in that particular trade
increase In relative value. Therefore
to-day there is no trade that offers
greater opportunities to young man,
or pays better, than the plumbing
trade. 1t does not require a genius or
a well-educated man to become q
plumber, and the chances for success
are greater and more easily accom-
plished in this trade than any other
The work Is pleasant 1t is not work
that Injuries man physically, nor is 1t
work where his surroundings are liable
to cause him to contract disease.
II the young man decides to become
a plumber, and his ambition does not
stimulate him to go above the grade
OF journeyman plumber, he Is assured
from the beginning that he will be en-
ployed all the year around and earn
IL S>,r~
ncyman plumber. can start on capital
OF from $25 to 500. and engage in a
profitable business of his own. Mr.. w.
III. Thompson, the late President Of
the National Bankro Of Commerce, In st.
Louis. and one OF the. richest men in
the West, started fniiife as plumber.
He served a hard apprenticeship and
then, as he became competent jour-
neyman. saved up his money to start q
business Of his own. This business, by
hard work. he increased until, finally,
he ranked as one OF the richest men
son that every young man who Will
take up the trade OF plumbing will
eventually be a bank President, but his
chances. by conducting shop OF his
own. are certainly greater for him to
become independent than In any other
business in America to-day.
From years past the learning OF the
plumbing trade, by young man hav-
ing to serve six years apprenticeship,
was limited, more on account OF the
unjust restrictions placed In his way
than for any other, and the lack Of
apprentices in the plumbing trade has
been the main cause for creating the
present shortage OF plumbers in this
country. Even this condition Is now
changed. for an excellent course can
be taken in correspondence schools. A.
first the idea that anyone could learn
this trade in the school was ridiculed,
out competent wOrkmen the feeling
against this trade school rapidly passed
away. This opens the field OF plumb
ing to thousands Of men, and with
these many advantages 1t can be easily
seen that a young mans success In the
plumbing trade is assured from the
very beginning, II he possesses fair
ability and will work diligently to per-
feet himself.