New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-20
PLUMBING GRAFT MAY
REACH MANY THOUSANDS
Former Member Of Examining
Board Tells Amazing Story to
Assistant Corporation Counsel.
$4,000 IN 19 MONTHS
Man Who Pleaded Guilty to
Bribery Indictment Describes
How Unqualified Persons
Got Masters Licenses.

August c. Schwager. formerly mem
her of the examining board Of plumbers.
who has pleaded guilty TO an Indictment
charging him with bribery. has begun q
statement 10 Albert De Roode. special
Assistant Corporation Counsel. which viii
probably means a grand jury inquiry and
the Indictment of six or seven men vino
schvager says We're associated with him
IN selling licenses 10 master plumbers. In
the nineteen months which Schwager held
the Office he declares about 5000 was
obtained In this way and split among six
or seven men. His own share was 5000.
Twenty master plumbers licenses have
already been revoked as the result Of MIR.
De Roode's investigations. and if ne is
able to verify the statements made by
scivaeer. 1T is probable that about one
hundred more may be cancelled.
II Schwager's statements are true-and
from his own findings Mr.. De Roode oe-
ueyes they are-it would be possible TO
proceed criminally not only against the
hal. dozen or so who are alleged To have
been in the ring" but also against some
eighty or ninety master plumbers. No
steps will be taken against the plumbers.
however. except TO revoke their licenses
and II is probable that many Of them Will
assist Mr.. DE Roode in his investigation.
Schwager had charge of most of the OK
aminations Tor master plumbers. FOR a
sum. which was generally about $50
sometimes more and sometimes les,
Schwager would agree TO see to il tnat
..r.r.If.s..rtfr I.r ~
q COPY az the questions which were 20 be
asked. he drilled them thorough. Some
times the applicants could barely write
leeib,v. and their spelling was something
TO rattle the pipes. SchwaCcr labOred ever
his pupils diligently. and by the time he
had finished with them they were oEdl-
nari'y able TO write legibly the answers 10
the Questions which We're 10 be asked.
Even a potential master plumber. mo '--
ever. may become nervous 1T exam.
time" and Schwager took no chances
His pupils got what they paid for.
Schvascr took 90 every examination De
conducted a copy of the correct answ ers
written by his scholars and handed TO
each his copy before the examination
BEGAN
Mr pc Roode believes that for fifteen
years. off aud on. This profitable method
Of Turning loose illitcrate and incompetent
plumbers upon the community has been
iu existence he feels sure the total
amount OF money So collected IS far in
,Ncess of the $4,000 taken by Schwager
although ne is not prepared 90 give am
estimate
.chVacer was appointed by Mayor Gay
nor u MAY. 1911 lie held his position
until December last, when the MAYOR APP
pointed Nj. DE Roode special Assistant
Corporation counsel for the purpose of in
vestigatius the examining board OF
plumbers.
Senwager was removed on Deccmber Il
last. and ii few weeks later was indicted
and arrested on the bribery charge. TWO
plumbers to whom inc had furnished an
svers for a price testified against him be-
fore the grand jury.