The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-12
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS

o.--what state is called the Cen
tennial state?-T. V. b,
A.-Colorado was given this nick
name because II was admitted to the
union In 1876 when this country was
having its centennial celebration OF the
Declaration of Independence.
Q.-why does charcoal absorb gases?
*. l.. NJ.
A.-The property OF absorbing gases
and vapors Is explained by the porosity
OF wood charcoal. The fettd gases pass
into the pores of the charcoal ana there
meet with the oxygen previously alb
sorbed from the atmosphere, oxidation
ensues and the unwholesome effluvia
are decomposed. This action, how
ever. Is usually wholly mechanical, the
gases being absorbed.
O.-Are there more whites than any
other race?-E. n. o,
A-There are no complete statistics
on this subject but an estimate places
the whites at a figure between 500
and 700 million. the Mongolans be
tween 500 and coo million. African Ne
groids between 100 and 100 millions.
O. wish to know il it would be
violation OF the law to goldplate i've
cent pieces and sell them for watch
1.-THE treasury says that it is
strictly against the law to do so since
such pieces might be mistaken Tor fNe-
dollar gold pieces,
o.-Is there passion play in Europe
this summer?-A. II. S.
Awhile the Obermmergau passion
play is not being given this year, there
is one being presented in Nancy
France, This parish had given tab
leaux from the life of Christ for 10
years, when the war interrupted. More
than 100, 900 spectators have witnessed
the performance this summer
Q.--How long has shorthand been
known &C. l.. ,
A.-Fron references made to skilled
writer's in ancient literature, the IN
fererce is drawn that shorthand was
known long before the CHRISTIAN, era.
The first authentic knowledge OF me
are dates to the first century before
Christ. The pioneer Of Roman short
hand was Marcus Fullius Trio, secre-
| tary and librarian to Cicero, VINO ue-
vised n system which was little more
| than a list OF authorizations Later
| II was improved to such an extent
| that reporters of the time could keep
pace with the speakers by writing
| in RELAYS. The system Of the l'auhs
| fell into disuse between the Nun anu
ninth centuries. and modern stehos
raphy dates from 1888
Q.-Who wrote the first amendments
to the consttution?-B. X 49,
A,-James Madison was the author
NJ the first ten amendments to the
| constitution.
| O.-Has anything been invented for
extracting air form water. NJ. {.
| A.-The Bureau of Standards says
that air can be removed from water
by the simple expedient OF boxing es-
pecialy boiling under vacuum
o-what was the Locofoco party
II. Il. f.
A.-This was name originally APP
piled to the radical or equal rights tac-
ton OF the Democratic party in 1850
81. later used by the wings to designate
the Democrats in general Inc ram
many Democrats of New York city
sought to dispense a meeting In which
the opposition was too strong, by turn
ing off the gas and leaving. The radl'
calls were well-provided with candies
which they lighted with locofoco. OF
friction matches. and went on W.T.
their business The name Locofoco'
was applied to them in derision by thu
Democratic press. but the name wal
taken up and applied to the who'll
party for ten years or more.
Q.-Can walls that have already beef
painted be whitewashed?-L. o.
Alt is not advisable to whitewasl
painted walls as the mixture does no
adhere we'll to oil-painted surfaces.
Q-was the inventor of boats al
American?-B. G, c.
A.-The first life-boat was invente
in 1884 by Lionel Lukin, a native o
Dunmow. England. His "unimmergibl
boat" however, attracted little at
tention, and later design deveOpe
from his model won for II. Greathea
the title OF father of the life-boat.
The American father OF the fe-hoa
was Joseph Francis. He was voted
gold medal by Congress for his In
vention. This medal, valued at $500
, and said to be the largest ever give
= by the government to an individual wa
presented to Francis at the Whit
| House by President Benjamin Harr
son.
Q-How is the name OF the city {
Joliet pronounced?-M. X
! A.-Therc was so much disCussio
, concerning the pronunciation Of tn
name that the city council passed a
ordinance setting forth that the officia
I | correct and proper pronunciation an
I | spelling OF the name Of this city sha
be Io- H-et: the accent on the firt
syllable with the 30" long as in mo.
(Anv reader can get the answer
5 any question by writing The New
/, ScimitRr Information bureau, Freder
]. Haskin. director. Washington. d.
4 This offer applies strictly to informi
| ton. The bureau cannot give advice {
legal medical and financial matter
II does not attempt to settle domest
, troubles. nor TO undertake eXhaustiN
d | research on any subject. Write yoi
O question plainly and briefly. Give II
. name and address and lnclOSe = cen
h in stamps for return postage. All r,
plies are sent direct TO the induirer1