Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-01
MASTER PAINTERS
PUbu|C-SP|R|TED
Charles MacnichoI Explains
Their Interest in Cleanup,
Paint-Up Campaign.
LABOR FOR BETTERMENT
OF NATIONAL CAPITAL
In Unselfsh Cooperation With
Health Officials and Civic Or
CARNATIONS, He Declares.

That the interest Of the master
painters in the clean-up-paint-up
campaign being waged in this city Is
not a selfish one. but that 1t looks as
| well toward the permanent beautihca-
ton and improvement of the National
| Capital, is the statement of Charles
Macnichol a member of the organiza-
ton that, in cooperation with the Dis
trict health authorities The Star and
| scores of civic and citizens associa-
tions, Is conducting the campaign now
in progress.
Many persons" said Mr.. Macnichol,
question the motives of the master
painters in the clean-up-paint-up cam
paign. and assert that that interest is
| wholly for the advancement of its own
| financial interests. Assertions of this
kind not only are not true, but they are
unjust to a class of men who possess
just as much civic pride and public
spirit as any other class of residents
of the National Capital
Master Painters Cooperate.
The master painter" Mr.. Macnichol
himself with thousands of others all
over the United States for the advance
ment of the painting industry. Most
| of US desire to advance financially, al
though we do not even put our best
| thought in that selfish phase of life:
but to advance morally and to a higher
standard as master painters is always
before US. To this end we are in con-
| tlnual touch with the leaders in our
business. with the experimenters, with
the manufacturers of our materials
with the chemical experts, and we hold
ourselves open to put to practical use
the results of these latest methods of
work, the most durable and desirable
of materials and the most economic
| way of conducting our business. We
aim to give our customers the very
best possible, and we strive to deal
with our customers so that our name
would stand for all that is good, all
business AL
We must create in the minds of our
customers-and, for that matter, in the
minds of those in the community with
with whom We associate from day to
day-the impression that we know our
business. and that we are masters in
our trade Besides. we must prove to
We will give them the very best of
workmanship at fair prices. and that
we will take a personal interest in
their work, be 1t large or small.
I'm fact, We strive to make our Gus
toners feel that it is pleasure for us
to work for them, without going into
the details that surround the business
OF master painter; but we do hold
| that he has to be. besides a master of
his own trade. an expert at all other
branches. We are required to know
more about wood, plaster, cement and
iron than the men who follow these
trades.
They Bear the Brunt.
What difference does it make to
carpenter, once we take charge of his
woodwork. whether it is first class or
not? II the resulting job Is not right,
no matter how guilty he might have
been, we bear the brunt of the trouble.
Did you ever meet plasterer who
knew that there was an acid in his
lime which would destroy our work, or
the iron man, the steel man and the
gentlemen who catch us badly with
cement of different grades and patches?
They all say, Leave it to the painter
They know that know more about
the practical end We know the diff
ncullIes they have left for US to over
come, but it does not add to our repu-
| AEON with our customers to begin by
telling him these things. We have to
| adopt possibly a slower process, but
| one that will more surely win out in
1
businesslike way and, while we do not
belittle our difficulties. show that it
ONLY is a matter of everyday business
to overcome them.
The master painters by associating
have made many reforms in the bust
lness-have been and are standing be-
tween the consumers and the makers
of dope paints; have been working
| through their legislative committee
| for years to protect the consumer
against impure linseed oil. turpentine
and paints
Responsible for Legislation.
They have had paint laws put on
the statutes of ten states; they have
forced many manufacturers of paints
| to change their formulas, and to put
into their paints better grade of ma
terial they have forced them to cut
out the water and benzine and other
products so largely employed, and
even to improve the character of the
pigments used, and have gained full
weights and measures; this item alone
amounted to over s1a00o000 per year.
I'VE are backing the bill of Senator
Kenyon, now before the Senate COM
mittee on manufactures. for the hon
est labelling of all packages contain
ing paint. oil and turpentine, SO that
the consumer can see what he is pur-
chasing.
AS collective body of tradesmen
we have and are doing more for the
protection of the public and of struc-
tural work than any other organiza-
ton of tradesmen in this or any other
country.
I'VE believe paint properly applied
under the direction of a master painter
is an evidence of civic pride and of
patriotism. Then should not the
master painter head movement for