The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-16
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS

Q-flease give me information con-
Independence.-A A. f.
A.-The vessel Independence sank
February IS, 1853. off the coast Of
lost
Q-Who invented the depth bomb
Can II be set to explode at a certain
depth e, F. l..
A.-This invention is credited to w
7. Unge, of Swedish nationality. Such
bomb is loaded with from 200 to 500
pounds Of high explosive, generally 7.
n. T. 1t is carried in special APP
paratus at the stern of a ship and can
be released instantly 1t is provided
with an appliance set to so off auto
matically at the desired depth.
(Which senator has served the
longest?-J. b.
A-The ranking member of the sem
ate, having had the longest continuous
service, is Henry Cabot Lodge, who
took his seat first in 1893.
Q.--Is the tomato a valuable food?
AIN proportion to its bulk the to-
mato has not high food value, as II
contains such a high percentage of
water. However the tomato Is recog-
nized as d wholesome article of food
1t contains 94.3 per cent of water, 8
per cent OF protein, a per cent of fat,
3.S per cent carbohydrates and 5 per
cent ash.
Q.-How many makes of passenger
automobiles are there in the United
States ST., Med,
A.-The American Automobile asso-
citation says that there are about $50
makes of passenger automobiles in this
country.
Q.-Please inform me as to the origin
Of the dollar sign as we use it,.
Authorities differ as to its origin.
plausible explanation is that 1t was
the union Of u and S meaning United
States, the connecting curve of the
~" having been discarded.
Q.-What are the limits to the diff
ferent weights of boxers?-L C. o.
Awe are giving you the scale of
weight limits for boxers as recommend
ed by the American Boxing association;
Flywelght, liz pounds; bantam, under
1856 pounds; welter. 145 pounds. middle,
100 pounds, light heavyweight, 175
pounds and Under; heavy. IT'S pounds
and over (All weighing six hours be-
fore ring time)
Q.--How does spider span a space
with his web?--L. II. McF.
A,-By trailing thread behind him.
a spider is able to drop from any
height to the ground. or any solid sub
stance. and to retrace his steps with
a certainty to a particular spot. Hav-
ing once retraced his steps he can drop
in another direction, returning along
the thread spun on the second trip.
This will continue indefinitely, during
which operation the spider is continual
ly spanning space with his web.
Q.-What shall use on my finger
nails to make them less brittle?-G.
II. b.
An the finger nails break easily,
rub with cold cream, cocoa butter or
white vaseline.
Q.--Has the case regarding the valid
ity of the farm loan act been settled
yet?-N. L. l..
A.-Ihe farm loan board says that the
case iIf reference to the farm loan act
was argued before the supreme court
of the United States Oct. 14-15. No de-
cision has been rendered yet, nor is one
expected for six or eight weeks.
Q.-what is lodestone?-J. F. L.
A lodestone is piece of magne-
tite which possesses polarity as a mag
netic needle does.
Q.-How can l prevent painted sur
faces from losing gloss in winter
weather?-J. A. X.
A.-The bureau of standards says
that all paint loses gloss upon exposure
to weather. To renew gloss, rub to a
fiat finish and apply coat of good
water resisting Varnish.
Q.--Please give the average width
of the wing spread of one-man air
plane and of mail plane.-J. f. L.
A.-The air service says that the
average width of the wing spread of
one-man plane is around 90 feet. of
DH-2 mail plane, around AZ feet, and
that of a Martin plane is around IT'S
feet The spread and all other char
acteristics vary according to the pur-
pose for which the plane is designed.
(Any reader can get the answer to
any question by writing The News
Scimtar information bureau, Frederic
J. Haskin. director, Washington, y. c.
This offer applies strictly to infOrma-
ton. The bureau can not give advice
on legal, medical and financial mat
ters 1t does not attempt to settle
troubles or to undertake ex
haustive research on any subject. Write
your question plainly and briefly. Give
full name and address and inclose two
cents in stamps for return postage. All
replies are sent direct to the Inquirer
s-S-----