Evening journal., 1912-05-01


ment and asked that an Examining
Board be created in that department
and that that board be composed OF
master plumbers, and only those that
are members of the Master Plumbers
Association. / have no doubt that the
Street and Sewer Department acted
in absolutely good faith, but It cvi-
IDENTIFY did not know what kind OF IN
Justice the master plumbers were
pulling on the public.
by making an examining board the
Street and Sewer Directors might have
though they were protecting the peo-
pie, but they only were protecting the
master plumbers and tho supply
houses. The real evidence Of the
whole thing is that nobody wanted an
examining board but the master
plumbers. As hey compose the board
they can keep out any plumber they
want 10.
"I build a great many houses ana
l control every branch Of its con-
struction but the plumbing. I formed
a plumbing company and took very
competent plumber in with me who
had enjoyed the privilege Of a license
from the Street and Sewer Depart
ment twice. but in this case the COM
pany was refused a license because
this same plumber did not pass the
master plumbers examination.
AN owner of ground, or q builder
can build house, buy all his own
material. hire all the different
mechanics by the day or otherwise 10
build his house with the exception OF
the plumber, and the plumbing ma
terials. In the course Of the construc-
tion of that house if any mechanic or
sub-contractor does not do his work
TO the owners satisfaction, he can
dispense with his services and hire
others. But any dissatisfaction that
NAV arise with the plumber, he has
the plumber to reckon with, for he
can't discharge him, and he can't
hurry him. He can do only what the
plumber wants him to do. for he can
not get any master or licensed
plumber to take that work and finish
Il until the one that started It re-
leases his right and claim and the
claim Is to the plumbers liking. n
not you must stand a law suit and
HOnI HOunt mas W stay unHhAon'A VI
accede TO his unreasonable demands.
"I, therefore, claim that by creating
an Examining Board the Street and
Sewer Department became a party TO
this combination against trade and,
instead of protecting the people and
owners Of property against The
dangers Of arbitrary and unscrupul-
Gus master plumbers, are placing the
people and property owners at the
mercy Of such plumbers"
Judge Cochran reserved decision in
the case.
Denies Connolly Charges.
After adjournment OF court the
charges made by William NJ. Connolly
were called 10 the attention Of Harry
F. Mellon who is not only president
of the Wilmington Association of Mas
ter Plumbers. but also a member OF
the executive board of the National
Association of Master Plumbers. He
was asked II the charges made by
Mr. Connolly were true. His reply
was that they we're not, either in sub
stance OF in spirit. Mr.. Mellon added
that he and the other members OF the
Association Of which he has the honor
TO be the head have no fear whatever
of any investigation or proceeding by
the Federal. State or Municipal au-
thorities. His contention is that the
organization Of Master Plumbers is
legal in all respects and also law
abiding az all times He admitted
frankly that in years gone by two
books one brown book constituting
a directory Of iobbers, and the other