A History of Leadership & Supports3.amazonaws.com/rdcms-phcc/files/production/... · A History of Leadership & Support ... 50th year Historian’s report we are told: ... from her

A History of Leadership & SupportDocumenting the First 85 Years of Contributions

to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association

& the Industry

Years

From the very beginning, the Auxiliary supported the National Association of Master Plumbers .

The first documented reference to the Ladies Auxiliary Committee from

the 10th Annual Convention Programme, 1892.

As early as 1892 we had the Ladies Auxiliary Committee, although we don’t know anything about the “programme”.

From the 1970, 50th year Historian’s report we are told:

• The Convention of June 1910 was held in Chicago, Illinois • Ladies Committee consisted of all men, members of the N.A.M.P.• Records indicate that 61 ladies were named in attendance. • The Ladies Auxiliary program listed shopping, luncheon and an auto ride

through the part system.

The 1911 National Convention was in Galveston, Texas

• There was no record of a program but there was a boat ride on a real ocean-going steamship into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Ladies Auxiliary Committee

The Ladies Auxiliary Committee Becomes the Women’s Auxiliary

Mrs. Hornbrook in the Historian’s Report for the 1940, 22nd Annual Convention wrote:

• In 1915 the idea of a Women’s Auxiliary was conceived

• In 1918, at the convention in St. Louis, a resolution was offered to have a Women’s Auxiliary. It was referred to a committee.

• In 1919, at the Convention held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Auxiliary was started. The women of New Jersey are given credit for this.

In 1946, Mrs. Hornbrook Continues:

“….. For two years we were in the war and I was in the midst of it, so I did not get anything done until 1921. In the City of New Orleans there were very few of our members. We went before the National Association of Master Plumbers, in Convention, and asked them for permission to use their name and Charter, which they had previously turned down and at that Convention we were allowed to use the name of the National Association of Master Plumbers and given the right to use their corporate seal.”

And Then, The Women’s Auxiliary

to the National Association of Master

Plumbers

The Presidents 1920 – 1946





The Grave of Mrs. Edwin D. (Emily Virginia) HornbrookThe Founder of the Auxiliary

In Perpetual Maintenance by the National Auxiliary to the National Association of Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors

Mt. Washington Cemetery, Independence, MOPhotos taken May 1976 & 1980 by Bobbie Smelter

The Founder’s Fund consisted of contributions to assist in expenses of Mrs. Hornbrook while in a nursing home.

Mrs. R.C. Malitz, President, 1947, writing as Historian in 1970

from her personal experience at the 1921 Convention

on the 50th Anniversary of the Auxiliary.

Mrs. R.C. Malitz, President, 1947, writing as Historian in 1970

from her personal experience at the 1921 Convention

on the 50th Anniversary of the Auxiliary.

The rules & instructions were truly vintage ‘20’s.

The Invitation to the Annual Outing of the Master Plumbers’ Association of the District of Columbia 1927.

The Memorial Loan Fund

From the 1940 proceedings, Mrs. Hornbrook, Historian, at the age of 83, provides this account of the history of the Scholarship Fund for the Sons of Master Plumbers:

• In 1910 the National Auxiliary pledged a $1000 for the establishment of the first Memorial. Portland, OR gave $500.

• The Memorial Fund was named after Jeremiah Sheehan, an Irish immigrant and 1982 President of the National Association of Master Plumbers. (picture pg 158 heritage unique)


• Mr. Theodore Ahrens, a plumber, was deeply interested in the Carnegie Scholarship and gave $150,000 to the National Association of Master Plumbers to establish the Chair of Sanitation at the Carnegie Institute of Pennsylvania.

• The Carnegie Scholarship was used solely for the sons of Master Plumbers, who were in good standing in their Association.

• As the years went by, the women always gave generously to the Carnegie Scholarship

In the 1940 proceedings, Mrs. Hornbrook continues with the history of the funding of the Chair of Sanitation, Carnegie Institute:

• In 1926 Mr. Theodore Ahrens gave the Women’s Auxiliary a check for $10,000. The money went into the endowment fund in the City of Minneapolis as the Theodore Ahrens Scholarship.

• The Auxiliary now gave scholarships in memory of Mr. Jeremiah Sheehan, Mr. Murray, first Secretary of the National Association of Master Plumbers, and in honor of the Past President’s Club of the National Association of Master Plumbers.


In the 1940 proceedings, Mrs. Hornbrook continues with the history of the funding of the Theodore Ahrens Scholarship for the daughters of Master Plumbers:

The Quilt Fund

• In the Historian’s Report to the same Convention, Mrs. Hornbrook reports the revenue from the sale of the quilt to be $138.65 to the Memorial Loan Fund.

• Also in the 1938 Proceedings, Mrs. Hornbrook reports that in 1932 a bronze plaque was presented to the N.A.M.P. by the Women’s Auxiliary in commemoration of their 50th Anniversary. Mrs. Perham presided over the presentation. The cost was $100.00 and the Quilt Fund paid the expense.

Much of the early work of the Auxiliary was funded by the making and selling of quilts.

In the 50th Year, 1970 Historian’s Report, Edna Malitz reports:

“Presidents made their traveling expenses in early years by making and selling chances on handmade quilts that were real masterpieces – until 1947 –when yours truly was elected president. Who, not being the quilt making type, graciously was allowed $299 from the treasury. From this gesture expenses of the Executive Board were born into today’s being.”

The Quilt Fund

The Building Fund

In the 50th Anniversary, 1970 Historian’s Report, Mrs. Malitz mentions that the Auxiliary funded the “Building Fund of $3,000.00 for furnishing the lounge in the new headquarters building of the NAPHCC in Washington, D.C.”

The History of the Auxiliary Song

The proceedings from the Convention of 1938 reflects the adoption of the first Auxiliary song.

“Mrs. (Edna H.) Fowler (President of the Missouri Auxiliary) wrote a song:

Hail to dear old N.A.M.PSalute their work that all men can seeHail to plumbing sanitationGift to the Nation’s historyKeep the name intact from all harmCarry the work on through strife and stormLet them all know they need youFor the health of the U.S.A.

There was s a motion and second to adopt the song presented by the Missouri state organization as your Auxiliary song.

Motion was carried.

Mr. Porter, VP of the National Association of Master Plumbers, addressing the 20th Annual Convention of the Women’s Auxiliary to the National Association of Master Plumbers:

“Possible (sic) during the next year there is one thing on which you may be able to help a little bit, and that is the idea of overcoming a certain inferiority complex which a lot of our Master Plumbers have. They should not have it, but I think they do have it. And I think the wives and members of your auxiliaries can do a great deal to remove that inferiority complex. Our men are just as important in the business world as any other and we try to teach them that …….

Mrs. Rose, VP of the Auxiliary, in partial response:

… “It is the aim of the Women’s Auxiliary to be a cooperative organization to your Association, and it is their desire to be considered as such at all times. We of the Auxiliary do not at any time want to be thought of as a strictly social organization. …….

From the Proceedings of the 1938, 20th Annual Convention of the Women’s Auxiliary to

the National Association of

Master PlumbersJune 8–11, 1938Cleveland, Ohio

From the Proceedings of the 1938 20th Annual Convention of the Women’s Auxiliary

Address of Mr. C.B. Nash, Publisher of the Standard News, an industry magazine with a readership of 55,000

Industry issues of 1938:

• There is an evolution in the plumbing industry that is becoming a revolution.

• There are powerful forces at work which are going to bring about a new era in plumbing.

• There is encroachment from the Do It Yourselfers and mail order who have huge sums of money at their disposal.

• They concern themselves with “over the Counter” service - selling the merchandise and letting nature take its course.

• “And there was never a plumbing fixture made no matter how made, what the pattern, what the color, what the cost, that was of any value whatever as a bathtub, lavatory, etcetera, by itself. It only get its value when properly installed.”

• The industry through the Association is well organized to fight the attack.

From the Proceedings of the 1938, 20th Annual Convention of the Women’s Auxiliary

Address of Mr. C.B. Nash, Publisher of the Standard News

In probably the most historically significant speech in the history of the Auxiliary to date, Mr. Nash goes on to address the problems with the purity of the public water systems. “…..The plumbing industry had a change around the turn of the century. For a quarter of a century it was on the upgrade.

People wanted plumbing, first their bathtubs, and the whole industry was very busy supplying a national idea. Bathrooms were sold on the idea, plumbing was sold on the idea that it would outlast the life of the building in which it was installed. Ladies, today, this country of ours is full of plumbing which is positively dangerous to the health of the people, because it is outmoded. Just the same as an automobile of twenty years ago is outworked and outmoded. “

Mr. Nash continues regarding the false sense of public security:

“…… The evolution will come, if we have the development of plumbing in the city water system on which million and billions are spent.

Throughout many cities in the country with the development of the water and sewage systems, the people seemed to think their health was safe.



The ordinances and laws in many cities are not adequately enforced. A law or ordinance on the books and not in force is far worse than no law at all because it lulls the public into the belief that all plumbing is alike and that all plumbers are alike because plumbing is installed according to law, and therefore, their health is protected.”

Mr. Nash closes with a high degree of optimism, talking about the new United States Public Health Service.

“…. USPHS is aware of the problem and is hoping for a resolution from the Association requesting that Congress fund a Plumbing Code.”

Mr. Nash predicts that:

“…one day plumbing is going to be surrounded by standards, ordinances and resolutions on a par with those which govern the medical profession.”



In the 1938 Convention Proceedings, the report from Mrs. P.L. Borgstrom, President of the Texas State Auxiliary writes:

“Sanitation was one of the important subjects discussed (at the State Convention in Houston). Much interest was shown for a campaign to further this and aid our husbands to put the plumbing industry in the front row. “

It is significant to note that the State of Texas still uses a trailer-mounted cross-connection demonstration to educate the public on the significance of high Plumbing standards.


Report of the Sanitation Committee – Current ConditionsAnna Corcoran, Chairman of the Sanitation Committee reported:“………The Sanitation Program became a “March of Progress” for the Auxiliary with almost every Auxiliary adopting the work.”

“The women demanded, and in some cases got clean and sanitary restrooms, lavatory & toilet facilities in public theatres, restaurants, stores, parks and filling stations.”

“In early 1938, Texaco notified the Chairman that they met the demand for clean, sanitary rest rooms in each of their filling stations and were inaugurating a 48-state Inspection Service of patrol cars to see that the rest rooms conformed at all times to the high sanitary standard that they had set.”

“Texaco asked that the information be published in the industry trade papers.The information was also published in all the leading magazines of the nation and soon several other oil companies began to mention their clean, sanitary restrooms on their radio programs.”

Mrs. Corcoran continues:

“In a recent survey of stores by the US Department of Commerce, it was found that:

•31% of grocery stores lacked sanitary facilities of any kind;

•21% of food handling stores had no washroom facilities or they were not in fit condition for use;

•49% of the restaurants had no lavatory facilities for their patrons, and of the remaining 51%, in many cases, the sanitary condition was doubtful.

In view of the survey results, the Sanitary Committee focused its efforts in 1938 on trying to remedy unsanitary conditions in restaurants and stores preparing and serving food and stores handling food products.”

The Sanitation Committee was originally formed in 1934 and continued their work through 1964.


Report of the Sanitation Committee – Current Conditions

“In promoting the health and the comfort, and therefore the happiness of our Nation, it will be the best investment that man can make to his fellow men; do not discount your influence as women; for not only are you the ones who do most of the buying of this or any other nation, but when you really want a law you can get it, the President of the United States, in signing the “Anti-Venereal Bill” on May 25th said: ‘Enactment of this legislation is due largely to the courageous and energetic support given by women as groups and individuals throughout the United States.

“I do urge you to try and place your work before the public, by using your local newspapers and magazines, your radio stations, your parent-teachers associations and your social clubs.”

Anna M. Corcoran, ChairmanSanitation Committee, 1938


Report of the Sanitation Committee – Current Conditions

From the Proceedings of the 1940, 22nd Annual Convention of the Women’s Auxiliary

Closing Report of the President

In the President’s Report at the end of the 1940 Convention, Marcella C. Rose states:

“….. Women should be knowledge of Sanitation, Bacteria, Water Pollution and Cross Connections and its effect on public health.”

“Members of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Master Plumbers Association, can do much to promote Sanitation and educate the public along these same subjects.”

“We have the opportunity of condemning the Handy-Man and rightfully name him as a menace to the public.”

“Our Four Point Program could be classified as four different activities that we should interest ourselves in to the advantage of the Industry in which our husbands and ourselves are so interested.”

“There is so much we can do on this subject, - not only as wives of Master Plumbers, but as public spirited citizens in our own right.”

Letter from the 1940 Women’s Auxiliary President to all State & Local AuxiliariesOn the Necessity of Increased Efforts in the Area of Sanitation

Marcella C. Rose, President writes:

“…. in my opinion as an activity which all the Auxiliaries throughout the country should not only become interested, but actively engage in a similar program as the one carried out by our National Sanitation Committee.

We could be a power in eliminating the majority of unsightly and unsanitary restrooms throughout the country. We can make note of our public buildings, school houses and auditoriums.

We still can carry on one step further and study in our immediate vicinity the possibility of Water Pollution in our streams and the disastrous results.

Let each Auxiliary appoint a Sanitation Committee to work on such interesting and absorbing activities. It will develop a greater respect and recognition for our Auxiliary.”


Mrs. Robert Liss, Editor Women’s Page, Plumbing and Heating Business:

“….. We should help the Master Plumber in the business. These are new and trying times and the women should help in merchandising.

We are offering 5 cents a word to any auxiliary member who sends in an article telling how she helped her husband in a tight spot; $25.00 to the woman who rates the best story and sends photographs showing how she helped her husband remodel his shop. $25.00 also goes to the Auxiliary.

We should take more interest in helping the plumber compete with the times.”

• Various war activities were carried on by all groups and donations made to many worthy causes. Most Auxiliaries purchased War Bonds from their treasury.

• During the 25th Convention in 1943 a patriotic program was held during which a handmade flag was presented to the Auxiliary by Mrs. Jos. J. Mueller. There were 990 stars on the flag at that time, representing the number of men and women from the auxiliary serving in the Armed Forced, and it was dedicated to their immediate families.

• An Honor Record Book, containing all names of these service men and women, relatives of the members of the Auxiliary, was the gift of Mrs. J.J. Corcoran.


The War Years - Efforts & Obstacles

Note that the 1946 Convention is the 26th Annual Convention because there were no Conventions held in 1944 & 1945.

The 1946 Convention reflected the optimism of the Nation following the end of the war. Few states had held conventions during the war years. The efforts that had continued were primarily limited to letter writing and newsletter communications.

Program of the 34th Annual Convention

of the Auxiliary

May 11th – 13th, 1954Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Program of the 34th Annual Convention

of the Auxiliary

May 11th – 13th, 1954Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.

The Program from the first Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon

to be sponsored by In-Sink-Erator beginning a long tradition in 1963.

The Founder of In-Sink-Erator Mr. John Hammes

“PHCC Woman” Magazine 1964-1996

The W.L. Jackson Company published

“PHCC Woman” at their cost for the Auxiliary

for several years.

The first keynote speaker for the Convention was Mrs. Nancy Reynolds, special assistant to Ronald Reagan, Governor of California, and Press Secretaryand Assistant to Mrs. Reagan. She talked about the 300,000 pieces of mail that arrived following Reagan’s election in 1966. She reported that he lovedreading letters and answering them personally, but it took many volunteers just to open and sort them. She said the best letters were from children. “Theycan tell you in three sentences what they have on their minds and what you better do about it.” She reported that she saved the special ones, for when he’dhad a particularly hard day. Her sincere appreciation and respect for the Reagan family was evident in her speech.

A second keynote speaker, the Honorable Helen Delich Bentley, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, addressed the second session of theBusiness Meeting. She was the first woman to serve as Chairman of a U. S. Regulatory Agency. She spoke to the Convention on the position of womenand how that position was changing. She talked of the traits that make women superior and yet, in most cases they were subordinate to men,professionally and personally. Excerpting from her speech:Many of us have preferred the easy, sheltered route rather than the challenge of a generous investment of our time and energy…But most of all we havefunctioned with a too-clear realization that if our primary goals involved hard or tedious effort, we could always retreat to a secondary position, that of aprotected, but dissatisfied appendage to someone else. And don’t be misled into thinking that this indictment applies only to the potential careerist who getslazy; I also include the woman who was born to be wife and mother, but misses the chance to make her full 50 per cent contribution in the performance ofthat role. A woman may find important works either in home or career; but whichever her choice, it must be made with the acceptance of the fact that shehas a brain and a responsibility to use it. Moreover, she has those strengths I mentioned earlier and an obligation to use them as well.

As I have gone about the business of fighting for increased opportunities both for myself and for women as a group, I have wondered how much of thenegative attitude I encountered was produced by women who wasted themselves and failed to live up to their potential. If this is the way that we proceed,we can only expect men to downgrade us. Unfortunately, the alternative for too many women is a shrill attempt to exchange the sound, feminine assets fora masculine or a neuter link of personality. The woman who makes herself into a man is not a servant to the cause. She is a deformity, intimidating thevery people who can help her most. She stands both as a threat to men and to responsible women who might wish to join the crusade.

So, thus the most valuable message I can bring to women is simply this; value yourselves as an individual and have confidence in your own abilities.Interestingly enough, the Virginia Slims poll made in February, 1971, showed forty-two per cent of the women polled did not want any change in their life, intheir opportunity or for women in general; forty per cent did; the remaining eight per cent were undecided. But one year later – and I think this is significant– forty-eight per cent of the women wanted things changed, with more opportunities for women being high up in demand, while only thirty-six per centmaintained the no-change desire. If what I sense around the country as I travel frequently is any measure, I would guess that by next year there will onlybe twenty-five per cent of the women who do not want any change in their status, in opportunities, in what life gives them. And I think it will probably leveloff at that percentage because of the generations involved, and that is understandable.

I am not critical of these women because they have never had to do anything for themselves or face the rough, outside world. Our country is great becausepeople do have a choice and an opportunity, and that is the way we must keep it. But the point is that the world is rapidly changing and women are in theforefront of that change.

From A Partnership Unique 1971-72

Thank you for your interest and allowing us the opportunity to

present these remarkable records.

A History of Leadership & Supports3.amazonaws.com/rdcms-phcc/files/production/... · A History of Leadership & Support ... 50th year Historian’s report we are told: ... from her

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