DAVIS.
There is a shortage of sewer tappers in Cincinnati, according to Health Officer Davis.  He made the statement to the Board of Health recently and wanted permission to cease issuing order for sewer connections, because, if they are not made within a specified time, the person may be arrested.  Members of the board, however, refused to believe that there was any great scarcity, and ordered the health officer to proceed as usual.
MULLEN
"Some system of flushing the streets in the business section of the city might be tried." Said Councilman Michael Mullen of the Eighth ward on his return from a visit to the St. Louis fair.  In the Mound City they have what appeared to me to be an excellent method of cleaning the streets, a tank on a wagon that flushed the streets after a wagon in the lead had swept them.  I am not wedded to the method there, but the idea is an excellent one.  When we sweep streets here, there is still much dirt on them that makes dust.  I also looked over Linden avenue, that is paved with bitulithic macadam and it is one of the finest streets I ever saw."
NOONE
"The wonders of shipbuilding will never cease," Jack Noone, one of the best known commercial travelers entering Cincinnati, said after he had returned from a trip to Ireland that was not a business trip.  "In Belfast, where are the largest shipbuilding yards in the world, there are now building two boats intended for passenger service that are the dates; in the line of improved ships.  Image a passenger elevator running day and night in ocean-going liners.  They will be in the two ships now almost completed.  It is also hoped to do away with sea-sickness, as the builders have some scheme that will obviate entirely the rocking of the ship.  It is claimed they have succeeded so well that if a passenger be in his stateroom he would not be able, from the motion of the ship, to tell a storm was on, even though it be most violent."
TOOKER
"The same thing appears to have prevailed there that did recently on Court street and other places.  A large vacant building that no one of right entered and so became the rendezvous of tramps or thieves." Said Building Inspector Tooker in regard to the Wrightson building where the last Fourth street fire started. "I think the fire department is entitled to the greatest credit for its work on this fire.  It is a very bad place at which to fight a fire.  The buildings too, are not modern and so offered less resistance to the flames.  It is lucky the fire did not occur when the weather was cold and ice could accumulate."  Mr. Tooker said the Wrightson building was a complete loss and that the walls would have to be torn down.  Director Hutton of the Board of Public Service also commented on the occupancy of the Wrightson building by irresponsible people and said he thought it might be found that tramps had caused the fire.  He also said some provision should be made for a stricter police inspection of vacant buildings.
COX
The recent serious effort to get the women of the hilltops to register and vote, developed a multitude of incidents and stories.  One of the best is told on the Rev. George Clark Cox.  It so happens Dr. Cox lives in the ward George B. Cox lives in.  The minister was particularly active in getting the support of the women for the Municipal-Citizens candidate for Board of Education.  One very estimable old woman was very hard to persuade, but she was finally registered.  Then it was a difficult task to get her to vote, and only the belief that her pastor would insist because he thought it a good cause induced her to go to the polls.    She was taken in a carriage to the voting place, where she was handed a Board of Education ballot.  Looking at it in bewildered manner, she finally announced that she wanted to vote Mr. Cox's ticket, and asked one of the judges to mark it for her.  All ?specting the election officer marked the ticket under the eagle, and the Republican candidate was given a vote.  "You are sure that was marked for Mr. Cox's ticket are you?" she asked, and assurance was given.  Into the ballot box, went the ticket, and out of the place went the "first voter." A moment or two later she returned.  "You know, I meant our Mr. Cox," she said "pastor of our church.  Not the politician Mr. Cox.  I don't want to vote his ticket."
It had suddenly dawned on her there were two Mr.  Cox's interested, but the ballot was in the box and could not be changed.
SHRODER
Former Judge Jacob Shroder, who has participated in many a public function in his times, is said by his friends to have adopted a rule, the observance of which invariably prevents him speaking too long.  He pays but little attention to those on the first floor, for as a rule they are so situated they can not afford to talk out literally before the face of the speaker.  The appearance of one or two of the auditors filing out from above is construed by Judge Shroder to mean that his audience has had enough, and he begins to trim sail for the landing.  Those who have had the pleasure of listening to this entertaining and always well prepared speaker, will be interested to know what preparation he makes for such emergencies.  "I'll tell you how it is done," said the judge.  "I divide the speech into sections.  I always leave a jumping-off place.  I can close within five minutes of any part of my speeches.  A speaker can not tell what the audience wants.  He may know all about his subject, but it is for the audience to pass final judgment. Watch that upper tier.  It is your barometer for the possible storm.
LONGMAN
"Years ago there was a wide-spread opposition to placing waifs and other dependent children in homes with foster parents.  It was declared that these unfortunates should remain and be reared in public institutions, I infirmaries or children's homes.  This sentiment has entirely given away to the better one—that dependent children should be  placed in good homes,: said Rev. R. A. Longman, who is a visitor at the Children's home on Ninth street and whose work it is to find proper homes and favorable foster parents for the children at the institution.  Rev. Longman gave an address on "The Advantages of Placing out Homeless Children," before the recent annual Conference of Charities and Correction at Columbus, and was surprised to find not a word of objection raised against his views.  "The family home affords the most effectual restraining influence for the child," said Rev. Longman.  "There, the child may obtain the valuable knowledge of home life, something that is out of reach in a public institution.  In family homes, children have the opportunity of associating with others than their class, and the child generally gains a reputation for reliability.  The requirements of infants and children of retarded development are better met in a home than in an institution, and the children are removed from the prejudice due to birth.  Not only is the child benefited, but its benefactor as well.  Childless homes are in this way made happier."

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