The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-13
CHEAP PLUMBING
CAUSE OF TYPHOID
Steamhtters of Three States, in
Convention Here, Call for
More Rigid Laws.
CONDITIONS ARE DEPLORABLE
Defective Pipes in Washington
Cause Of Much Disease, Says
President Spencer.

insufficient laws regulating plumb
ing and sanitation In Virginia. MARY
land aud the District OF Columbia are
largely responsible for the high ty-
phoid rate and ror tho prevalence OF
other diseases il the two states and
the District.
That was the argument of half
dozen delegates, who spoke from per
sonal knowledge ana experience OF
conditions in their respective cities in
the second annual convention Of the
Potomac States Association OF Plum
bers, Gasfltters ana Steamntters. which
waH held here yesterday.
The convention met at 10 o'clock in
the morning in Murphy's "otel am
mex. There wcr" three sessions dur
ing the day-morning. afternoon and
Baltimore, Washington. Hayerstown,
Md. Cumberland. Md. panville Lynch
burg. Newport News. Norfolk. Ports
mouth. charlottesville ana Richmond.
By special Invitation, President En-
NETT Davidson. OF the Virginia state
Federation OF Labor. J Bernard Cline
dinst. Industrial Inspector OF the
state Bureau of Labor <. H. Perry.
OF the executive board Of the Virginia
Federation Of Labor and Howard T.
COlvin. chief clerk Of thu Legislative.
reference Bureau. were present at the
afternoon session but took no active
part in the proceedings OF the conven-
tIon.
The convention was called TO order
by President William j. Spencer. OF
Washington. y. e.. and the minutes
were recorded by Secretary Treasurer
y +. Ninter. OF Richmuud. other Of
:ic.rs present were :. - Zca. of Wash
i.-tpn. first vice president; W = Tur-
"er, of Norfoik, second vice president,
and " :. Johnson, of chariottesyilio
third vice president
DEFECTIVE PIPING
CAUSE OF DISEASE.
The feature OF the morning session
vas the annual report OF President
Spencer in which n" told Of deploraLlc
conditions within the jurisdiction of
tho association explaining the cause
as Inadequate state laws and recon-
memdiug state Legislation a. the rem
cay. He said that although the as
soCiation had been in existence but a
year, IL had done much for the pub
iic health bs vigilance ard aggressive
action, directing attention in thc diff
fcrcut cities 10 plumbing and sanitary
conditions that We're To q great cx-
tent responsible for disease ana I, high
death gate.
lie was particularly severe on the
city OF Washington. his home city.
Conditions i'm WASHINGTON h said. are
cNccrable. he charged that a large
percentage OF diSeas.. is caused ly- The
defective or neglected water and Sani-
tary pipes in the homes Of residents
Of the capital city The alarming
"iasca!ity OF plumbers. who sacrifice
the health OF the public 10 their own
personal profits and 10 the nepli-
gcncc of landlords and rental agents
who are given TO IN. abominabi-
practice OF ignoring the house after
f,-,
that the nigh death rates shown by
tn" mortUary records OF the cities Of
Virginia, Maryland and the District OF
Columbia arc not higher"
The remedy is to be found only in
suitabl" Legislation. which will ucces-
state the work being done hy conp--
tent plumbers. Most Of the cities have
local plumbing INSPECTORS. but these
officials ar" either - restricted in tu-
thoriiy, inca pablr or negligent that
they afford Scant protection TO the
punlic health. Existing conditions
will he corrected, he said. only when
the states take the matter In hand
local m,u compelling plumbers 10 in
stail the right class OF plumbing and
compelling landlords and agents TO
keep that plumbing in good repair.
\ONIOUS GASES
BREED SERIOUS EENENS
NhtU Ol Nflt itNeI 6itI blIcl IOI!llS OF
disease with which the health authori-
ties are constantly wrestling is caused
by noXiouS gases and vapors emanat-
ing from neglected or defective pipes
in the homes OF the people. lie cited
individual cases that had come under
his personal observation. President
Spencer commended the Virginia Leg
islature for steps taken at the last
sessions of the General Assembly for
the correction Of some Of the coudi-
tions specified, but said that the legis-
lation thus far was bu, a small begin
ming. He recommended the adoption
by the association or suitable rcsolu-
tions calling the attention of the State
lawmakers. the national Congress and
the President OF the United States TO
plumbing and sanitary conditions
Within the jurisdiction of the asso-
citation.
Following the presidents annual ad-
dress, the report OF w. T.. Minter. of
Richmond, the secretary treasurer, was
read. II showed the finances Of the
association to be in healthy condition
and Il substantial surplus on hand. y
steady and rapid growth Of the NOM
bcrship and influence OF the organiza-
;ion, which is a tri state branch OF the
United Association OF Plumbers. Gas
filters and Steamfitters, was likewise
shown in the report.
10 discussion of trade questions and
technical problems of plumbing, gas
fitting and steamiittinG. Participating
in the debates were James j. O'IIagan,
OF Washington: John j. Garden and w.
j. Spencer, Washington; StoveT d. Zea,
Washington; John NJ. Bolts. Washing
ton: T.. G. Barnett. Charlottesville;
Thomas II. Martin, Norfolk: w. Il. Tur-
ner. Norfolk: i. II. Tricmp, Portsmouth:
Thomas III. Bass, w. T.. Mintcr, \. L.
Kelly, all OF Richmond.
WANT STATE BOARD
Of EXAMINERS
Following discussion OF the ten
dcncy OF owners and agents who build
and handle houses AS a speculation to
employ cheap craftsmen and install
cheap plumbing in the houses they
sell. the following resolution was
adopted.
"ln view Of the fact that the steam
continued on Third page)
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