The plumbing business seems the only one connected with building where foremen are not considered necessary; or if a plumber is put in charge of work he is not given extra compensation for his services. That is not as it should be. Either an operation does not require a foreman or it does. If one is needed he should be selected on account of his fitness for the position, and if he possesses the necessary qualifications to place him above his fellow workmen he should be paid for the attainments. The practice has so long obtained in the business of letting each man shift for himself that outside of large shops in the very large cities foremen are dispensed with. Much better results will be obtained, however, by placing a foreman in charge of every operation and looking to him for results. If he is the right man for the position and he is paid for his services the contractor's interest will be looked after better than if he were present.

Supplying The Workmen With Materials

So that workmen can work to the best advantage and not be held back for lack of materials the contractor should require his foreman to keep planning the work a few days ahead, so that all necessary materials can be ordered and delivered to the various operations in time to avoid delays. If some plan of ordering ahead is followed, not waiting until the plumber sends word he is unable to proceed for want of material, many hundred dollars in time can be saved every year.