The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-01
Questions Answers

Q. Is there any such thing as a hoop
snake?-O: J. NJ
A. The myth of the hoop snake which
takes it tail in its mouth and rolls down
hill has long persisted and is generally
accepted in some communities. 1t is wholly
a myth, according to the reptile specialist
/ in the Smithsonian institution.
O. How many newspapers and maya
zines are published in the United States p
A. The latest figures show 23,074 pub
lications in this country, of which 24S6 are
dailies, 1881 being afternoon papers and
Q. Are sailors in the navy who die at
sea, merely thrown overheard 20. o.
A. When man of the navy dies.at sea.
his body is brought ashore and buried in
the regular way, unless the vessel Is not to
make port for several days. When the
body may not be held until a port is made,
| it is buried at sea with military honors
and d formal ceremony.
Q. What is the cause of the present
sugar shortage w L. G.
= A. Germany, Austria. France and Russia
were all heavy producers of beet sugar be-
fore the war. and that production has been
consequently bought heavily from such
| producers as these of Cuba from whom the
United States usually gets its supply. In
stimulated the demand for sugar in this
country. Hence the shortage
Q. If a man is standing on the back
platform of railroad train which is travel
| ing at the rate of sixty miles an hour, and
fires q bullet in the direction from which
the train CAME and the powder back of 1t
is capable of driving the bullet sixty miles
an hour, what VIII happen to the bullet
4. The velocity at which the bullet. as
part of the train, Is travelling, Will be over
come by the force given it by the powder,
operating in the opposite direction. Theo-
retically the bullet viii be stationary in
the air. 1t will merely drop to the ground.
9. Upon what sort of plant does hominy
A: Hominy is made from corn and is not
distinctive grain like rye or oats. Corn
| Is scalded in I've to remove the husk and
the white substance remaining is called
hominy.
Q; Was Herbert Hoover born of we'll
DIDO or wealthy parents?-C. r.
A. Herbert Hoover's father was black
smith. At the age of IL he was without
mother or father. He worked his way thru
college and at &c was a millionaire He
made his money by extracting metal from
as without value.
g. Are 4 our FIVE cent pieces made of pure
A. Nickels are seventy-five per cent cop-
per and twenty-five per cent nickel. The
nickel gives them their hardness and dom
mates the other metal as TO outward ap-
| pearance Copper is much cheaper than
nickel and its use saves money in the
| manufacture Of this coin.
g.; What does the word "blimp" mean p
| A. This is the term applied to small non
rigid airships. 1t is a slang word, original
ing with the English
(Any reader can get the answer to any
! question by writing The Topeka State
/ Journal Information bureau, Frederic J.
Haskin, Director. Washington, D. C. This
| offer applies strictly to information. The
bureau cannot give advice on legal. medical.
| and financial matters. 1t does not under
| take 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 2-cent stamp for return postage.
1 All renlieS are sent direct fo the inuuirer 4