Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-10-28
SIOUX CITY MAN IN THE 5USi.
NESS DECLARES STRONG
TRUST EXISTS.
PRICES MUST BE MAINTAINED
OR SUPPLIES ARE WITHHELD
Alleges That Jobbers Cooperate With
Local Associations and That Ordi.
nance Calls for Expensive Friils and
Non- ssentials-likened to Comb.
nation Existing in Other Lines.

Sioux City, Oct. 2S.-That there is a
combine of plumbers in Sioux City that
actually stiles competition is the dec
plumber. who made a statement for
newspapers. Mr.. Art said:
The purpose of this combination is
to stine competition and raise prices.
This is readily accomplished under
the protecting wing OF johbers who
refuse TO sell 10 any but association
members. and by the rigid enforcement
Of the present plum Ding ordinance.
The city council was inveigled into
passing this ordinance two years be-
fore receiving sanction to DO so from
the state legislature.
The state did not, however, con-
template freezing out the small man
nor did it contemplate requiring the
use Of an array OF additional materia.
such as the local ordinance requires
which is highly beneficial to the jobber
and highly expensive 10 the small home
builders.
In order 10 maintain its integrity
and prevent the slightest intrusion in
the plumbing field the plumbers as
ISOLATION has followed up the slightest
infraction of the plumbing ordinance,
real or imaginary, vigorously and re-
lentlessly.
According to a strict Interpretation
of the present plumbing ordinance the
householder is prevented from person
ally making the small repairs TO his
plumbing system. Such things as the
c,
broken faucet is apparently prohibited.
The plumbing jo5ber makes this fur
Their impossible by refusing to sell him
the faucet.
Employ Business Agent.
The existence of plumbers asso-
citation with a business agent at sl25
per month is a matter Of common
knowledge, and as near as I observe
they make no effort TO conceal 1t.
THE building in the last two years
being unusually brisk. made the OBJ
servation difficult unless By comparing
architects figures, but prior to that
we could usually tell who would get
the plumbing job on the next building.
The condition in the plumbing busi-
ness is kindred to that in the electrical
business. In the electrical business
the national board OF fire underwrlt-
ers are under the immediate auspices
Of the National Manufacturing Asso-
citation. The association that main
tanned an expensive lobby at congress.
Before an electrical device receives
the sanction Of the national board ~
fire underwriters It's maker must first
enter into specific agreement with the
manu- facturerS as TO the maintenance
of prices.
"An endorsement by the fire under
writer's Is not necessarily a criterion
as to quality.
we had specific instance of this
only short time ego. A 6!sgrunt'ed
electrical contractor entered the city
hall and yelled defective material was
being used by competitor. The in
spection department was Immediately
thrown into confusion. The material
was severely condemned. After Two
days Of intense anxiety the materia!
was cut open and examined. TIE un-
derwriters' stamp was found every
three inches apart thru the length of
the coil. The matter was allowed to
die right there.
There is no question but that
plumbing and electrical work should be
governed by ordinances. but ordinances
should be founded on common horse
sense. Under the present condition,
however, the game is worked overtime,
and as a result of the machination the
cost OF the work is increased from 25
per cent TO 40 per cent to the con-
sumer."