So unusual is it for a manufacturer to become a publisher, that a few words explaining our connection with "Principles and Practice of Plumbing" will probably not be amiss.

An explanation leads us back to the announcement made in the initial number of our monthly magazine, Modern Sanitation (June, 1904). The announcement set forth the fact that in publishing Modern Sanitation there was no intention to interfere with the established trade papers on sanitation and plumbing materials, and that we would endeavor to make it attractive and valuable by incorporating items and articles of general interest to all of our readers.

In addition to the trade papers, there are numerous worthy works on plumbing and sanitation, each of which when published represented a distinct advancing step, and we feel that the authors of these works will be in hearty accord with "Principles and Practice of Plumbing."

When "Principles and Practice of Plumbing" was first published in Modern Sanitation, we had no thought of this volume, but as the succeeding chapters of the work appeared, we were frequently requested by prominent architects, plumbers and sanitary engineers to publish the entire work in book form. It is wholly due to these repeated requests that we are now the publishers of this book.

When the idea of our publishing the book was suggested we held back, fearing perhaps that some might gain the impression that it was done as a disguised advertisement to exploit "Standard" Porcelain Enameled Plumbing Fixtures. We can plainly state, however, that such is not the case - we are publishing the work solely for the good it may accomplish and we hope that it will completely fulfill its mission.

Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co.

Pittsburgh, U. S. A.