from the same parties that
were to do the work for C on the building for A. B let C build the 35'
0" building.

I notified B and C that I will collect my commission on the construction
and completion of their building, to which notices I have no reply.

The 35' 0" building was commenced at the same time as the building for
A; my plans, specifications and details were used for the building by
the same sub-contractors, etc.

The buildings are now nearly complete, and the building for B or the 85'
0" building is a portion of the building designed for A with slight
variations made by C.

I think the above to be very explicit; and now, gentlemen, I would like
to ask you for your opinion as to my compensation, and to what extent I
am entitled to it.

Yours very respectfully,

F.C. SAUER.

[We think that you are entitled to the full commission of five per cent
on the cost of the 35-foot building, and believe that you can collect
it.--EDS. AMERICAN ARCHITECT.]

* * * * *

VENTILATING WOODEN COLUMNS.

ZANESVILLE, O., December 23,1889.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE AMERICAN ARCHITECT:

_Dear Sirs_,--We notice that in buildings in the East for factory
purposes, all wood columns have a hole bored through the centre for
ventilation. What size should the hole be for 12" x 12", 10" x 10" and
8" x 8" posts. Also size of cross holes for the purpose of communicating
with vertical hole, and how far from ends.

Respectfully yours,

A.E. PILING CO., LTD.

[We have referred this to Mr. C.J.H. Woodbury who replies that the
method followed by the best mill-builders is to bore a hole along the
axis one and three-fourth to two inches in diameter. The method formerly
used was to bore the hole in half-way from each end after the column was
finished, but as the auger would follow the grain of the wood, the holes
would not always meet, and running out nearer the side of the column
would produce structural weakness which has been revealed in tests of
columns whenever destructive tests of such columns have been made. The
better way is to arrange a lathe with a hollow headstock and a guide
which will carry a pod-auger boring in from one end. This will define
the axis of the column whether it is to be turned or left square. Near
each end, say five inches, a couple of transverse holes generally
five-eighth of an inch in diameter are bored. This arrangement is to
reduce and in some cases prevent checking in t