Arizona republican., 1918-05-09
PLUMBING FEST
 STAGED BY C|TY

When a proposed new plumbing or dinance was brought before the city commission in regular session yester- day morning and City Attorney Sloan had recommended that the city engi- neer and city building inspector be requested to report whether in their opinion the existing ordinance should be amended. and in what particulars, the flood gates of oratory and sarcasm were opened by master and journey men plumbers who were present to favor or oppose the proposed measure. For the ensuing half hour the city fathers listened to arguments, pro and con, so conflicting that it was finally decided to place the entire matter in the hands of the city attorney to de- termine whether a special committee shall be named to work out a solution of the problem.
 George Hageman, who stated that he had been in the plumbing business Tn Phoenix for nearly 20 years, let 1t be known in no uncertain terms that he was opposed to the measure then before the commission. He said that it's adoption would work a hardship upon the citizens of Phoenix in more ways than one and that the provisions
 
 of modern plumbing. He endeavored to show by exhibits how entirely sat- isfactory plumbing can be installed without resorting to antiquated and expensive methods. He indicated that among master plumbers it is recog- | nized that there are simple plumbing contrivances that easily and satisfac- tory take the place of wiped joints" and other expensive and unnecessary methods,
 By a simple amendment to a plumb ing ordinance that was adopted many years ago-an amendment I succeeded in having the city council pass many years ago-I have saved to the citizens l of Phoenix over $1O,OO0," declared Hageman. That amendment had to l do with traps and it provided a simple means of installing traps that have | been all that is required from sani- l tary and enduring standpoint. | Now it is proposed to completely change the existing ordinance and substitute a measure that would re- quire the unnecessary use of much material that at this time is valuable in war work and is not really needed in plumbing. If this valuable material is to be required in all work in this city, it will mean that many a man who thinks of erecting building will hesitate long before he begins con- struction. There are ways in which entirely adequate plumbing can be in stalled without working an actua hardship on the home builder.
 Tt matters not to the master plumber what mateIfal costs. Those costs are assessed against a property owner. If the city of Phoenix adopts a measure that thrusts unnecessary costs upon the man who would builC a house for his own occupancy or fol
 rental, the city to just that exten
 retaD1s development. I am sure i this matter is gone into thoroughly. i
 will be seen that an entirely adequatt plumbing ordinance can be drawn tha
 will at the same time keep the cos
 of plumbing down to much lowe
 figure than will result if this measur,
 is adopted
 Commissioner Irvine endeavored t,
 have committee consisting of thre contractors, three plumbers and al architect named to consider the situa
 ton with reference to drafting prope ordinance. His motion, however, dit not bring a second.
 F. C. Peery endeavored to brin about favorable action on the part o ; the commission with relation to tn ordinance then before that body, whil D. H. Burtis, to a large extent bor
 out the contention of Hageman tha
 and unnecessarily drastic. Peery sai , that plumbing experts agreed tha
 preference should be given the employ
 ment of brass, tin and lead, as oppose to cast iron materials.
 For a time things were exceedingl interesting in the commission chambe
 and compliments were given and take freely.
 It is expected that a new propose
 ordinance will be ready for submissio at the next meeting, unless the cit
 attorney is of the opinion that thi is a matter to be referred to a com
 mittee as suggested by Commissions
 Irvine.