New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-07
BY Luther c. Allen
]. D. Johnson Co. Inc.


Does it ever occur to you how nee
essary the plumber is to safeguarding
the health of your family?
We hear now. and again criticisms,
and sometimes abuse. regarding his
methods and practices, even to the ex-
tent Of his being a nuisance, when
his services are required to make
needed repairs. There is the proverb-
ial helper, his furnace and blow torch,
wrenches and heavy tools-in fact, he
20 disturbs, that one often delays call
ing him. Yet sooner or later he must
be employed and after his work is
completed to our great convenience
and satisfaction, his bill is received.
It is then he comes in for his worst
deal. The charges seem so high and
there was so much time wasted going
back to the shop, only to return with
some tool left out Of his kit. and what
he has done is concealed under the
floor or behind the wall, with nothing
20 show for his efforts. His charges
seem outrageous and he is consigned to
the class of people known as highway
men or bandits.
Too often the plumber has been con-
sidered q joke, while poets and funny
story writer's have pictured him in as
ridiculous a manner as their wits
could portray.
Now l offer no excuse for the
plumber; he does not require one. He
IS . servant worthy Of his hire and
performs his duty as ably as any other
mechanic, while his task is often more
difficult and unpleasant.
A good mechanic is not a plumber,
but good plumber, who has served
his apprenticeship and time, is a me-
chanic of no mean order.
In Need of Plumber
1t is no joke when you are about to
receive and entertain guests to be in
formed that the water pipe leaks, the
sink trap is clogged with grease. or
the gas is escaping. Really, one for
gets all about the adverse criticism of
the plumber and hastens with very gra-
cious behaiour to call upon him to give
relief from ones distress. 1t would do
no good to call the doctor, carpenter
or painter to correct the difficulty. 1t
is the plumber only who can be of real
service 1t may be early in the morn
ing or late at night. Mr.. Plumber must
be available and sufficiently accommo-
that you may be saved annoyance and
destruction to your property.
To begin with, we must take the
plumber as we find him. He is no diff
ferent when it comes 20 transacting
business than any other mechanic. He
works, however. under different rules
and regulations. He must be licensed
by the Department of Public Services
IN the city or county where he is To-
Gated and operates. His license is
obtained only after he has passed A
examination covering his practical and
technical knowledge acquired by his
apprenticeship and at least five years
of service at >the trade.
He also must have a shop equipped
for carrying on the trade.
Another obligation required is for
him to be bonded by a surety or
casualty company Otherwise he
could not obtain a permit to open up
the streets to connect with sewer,
water or gas mains.
Supply houses are continually ap-
preached by those outside of the trade
with a view to purchasing plumbing
material direct. They are refused
simply on the ground that the plumber
is the only safe one to install fixtures
of this kind because Of their COM
plicated setting, and who is licensed
to make connections under permit
with the several systems regulated by
their respective departments. There
are so many rules to be observed and