for another year. Action was put off two weeks. , The rules of the board provide that action be delayed on any new matter introduced into the meetings at the request of a member and the second of another unless ajnajority vote to suspend the rules. With the two weeks' delay granted, Sercombe's term as statistician for the board terminated. For the second time recently, Ma yor Thompson turned his eyes to ward a soft board job for a political henchman. This time he suggested Morton MacCormac, one of his lead ers in the 7th ward, for the job as sta tistician. The position pays third highest sal ary on the board. Whether MacCor mac was good at figures, the mayor didn't say. He just suggested that his honor ought to have some one in touch with school matters. MacCormac is head of a business college in the Bnglewood district and is the biggest Thompson man in the 7th ward. o o LAWYER CHARGES MORE GRAFT IN WELFARE DEPARTMENT A new graft charge cropped out to day in the City Hall petticoat scan dal. Seymour Stedman, attorney for Mrs. Page Waller Eaton, who says she split her salary with Mrs. Louise Osborne Rowe, head of the dep't of public welfare, says that for three months a dummy was carried on the payroll of the department. He said initials of the suspected dummy were "R. S." Rose Samonski, 1229 W. 73d, worked as a junior stenographer in the department during the period Stedman mentions, but she says she drew her salary for the full time. o o Cincinnati. Geo. B. Cox, for years leader of Republican party in this city, stricken with paralysis. Critical goaditiou. CANNONADE PRELUDE TO DRIVE, CONTINUES ON VERDUN London. German artillery has opened new bombardment of French positions, both in Verdun and Cham pagne districts. Cannonade, Paris reported, may be signal for resumption of Verdun offensive or may have been ordered to shield troops' movements to other sectors. French guns are replying to vigorous attack near Freenes, south east of Verdun. London. On first day of new Ger man order to torpedo armed mer chantmen, Russian steamer Alex ander Wentzel was sent to bottom with loss of 18 lives. Lisbon. 60 leading members of the German colony left hurriedly for Spain today on receipt of reports that Germany is about to declare war on Portugal London. German seaplane that raided southeast coast of England last night dropped 4 bombs. Two bombs wrecked backs of houses and third badly mangled 9-months'-old baby, who died in hospital few hours later. Havre. French mine sweeper Au Revoir torpedoed and sunk Tuesday by German U-boat Crew saved. Amsterdam. Uncorfirmed reports from German sources today said the French have evacuated Fort DeVaux, one of Verdun forts, miles southeast of Fort Douaumont Athens. Allies warships in Adriat ic pursued Austrian squadron into Cattaro harbor Tuesday. Petrograd. Moving southwestward toward positions held by British in Mesopotmania, Russian conquerors of Kermanshah have arrived within 40 miles of Persian-Turkish border. Berlin. Situation on western front unchanged. Counter attack by the French upon Douaumont declared unsuccessful Paris. Lull on Verdun front con tinued throughout last night