G. F. J , Denver, Colo., writes:

"Will you kindly settle a question in dispute. I send two sketches of a kitchen sink with connections, Fig. 1. as placed by the plumber, Fig. 2, as contended by me to be better, as there is no contraction in the size of pipes when continued direct as a ventilating pipe.

[Figure 2 is preferable. The bend at the foot of the 2-inch vent pipe, as shown in Fig. 1, is liable to stoppage from falling rust if the pipe is of wrought iron. Likewise the bend at the foot of the vent in Fig. 2 although in this latter case it might not affect the trap. We add Fig. 3, as better practice than either of the others. It will be noticed that the Y branch for the trap vent is put in just above the bottom of the sink, so that in case of stoppage in the waste pipe below, it would be indicated by the waste water not running off. In Fig. 2, if a stoppage occurred in the waste, the trap could discharge through the vent pipe without its being known. The discharge, as shown in Fig. 3, helps keep the bend flushed out and the cleanout is desirable in such positions for the removal of obstructions.]