Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-18
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

O. What govrnnnent department is
rnaing and selling the paper suitsY r. +. G..
g. The Department of Commerce says
the paper suits are not made by the
government. .TheDepartnent of Commerce
did have several suits made which were on
exhibition in Washing and are nov o..
exhibition in New York City. This ex-
hibition is to encourage manufacturers to
make suits of this kind which would brin &
down the price of wooden snd other
clothing So fAr the Department Of Com
merce has not succeeded III having manu-
facturers take up this line Of work These
suits will be exhibited al over the United
States and will stay IN large crties from
10 10 II days.
Q. Please print the answer TO this: Is
this the nineteenth or twentieth century?
G. b.
A. We are, at the present time, Irving
in the twentieth century. The first cen
tuuy extended from the year to 100; the
second, from l0i to 200, and so on, making
the years 1901 to 1000, the twentieth
century.
Q. When did neckties become popular?
w.B.T.
A. Neckties, formerly known as "cra-
watts, were first extensively worn IL
Europe during the French revolution. The
custom was borrowed from the Croats or
Crabats, IS they were called, In the seven
tenth century.
q. How many aliens are coming and
going from America? II. +.
A. The Bureau of Immigration says
that in August, 1920, about sc 900 aliens
were admitted and that $4,000 departed
@. Why Is rice thrown at weddings
CIV.
A. The use Of rice at weddings Is an
ancient custom. 1t is part of the marriage
ceremony among the Brahmans of India
The Jews were accustomed TO throwing
wheat and the Russians oats CT barley,
while saying Increase and multiply F."
Rice is now largely used in Christian
countries, because it is the most prolific Of
grains.
@. What State has the longest and
most severe winter? j. X. j.
A. The Weather Bureau saws that
generally speaking the State of North
Dakota, the eastern portion Of Montana,
and the western portion of Minnesota
have the most severe winter climate. al
though portions of northern New Eng
land and the mountain sections of north
eYn New York have weather conditions
nearly approaching those in the sections
first named. Likewise soma Of the noun
tain distfIcts have severe weather over
somewhat longer periods than in the see
tions previously mentioned, and heavier
SHOWS may occur but usua ly the tempera-
ture are not so low during periods Of in
tense cold as occur In the lower levels Of
the State first mentioned.
Q. What kind of material is used for
making spark plug electrodes? w. ]. n.
a. The Bureau of Standards says that
nickel wire is used for this purpose
Q. Please give the origin of the phrase
"swan song?" p. W.
A. According TO legend, it is believed
that a dying swan uttered a wonderful
song. Thus, the phrase swans song
has come TO be applied To the last poem or
last musical work of an author
ANY reader can get the answer to any
question by writing Every Evening In
formation Bureau, Frederic ]. Haskn, |
director, Washington. ID. {. This offer |
applies strictly to information The |
bureau cannot give advice ON legal, |
medical and financial matters. IL does |
not attempt to settle domestic troubles. |
nor to undertake exhaustive research |
on any subject. Write your question |
plainly and briefly. Give full name and |
address and enclose two cents in stamps |
for return post age. All replies are sem |
dTect to the inquirer.