The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-23
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS

Q;-Has any step been taken to erect
across the Potomac from Washington
to Arlington?-H. 8. NJ.
A bridge was included in the
monument, situated in Potomac park,
is nearing completion, but work on the
bridge has not commenced.
Q.-What are the highest national
bank notes issued ?-E. ErS.
, A.-The treasury department says
that there Is no authorization for ma
tons than 500.
Q.-What does q. probation officer do?
Am a municipal criminal court a
probation officer is one appointed by
the magistrate to exercise supervision
over and receive regular reports from
Offenders whose sentences are sus-
pended.
-, Q.-Who was the first secretary of
the nayy?-J. A. L.
:. A.-The navy department was estab-
I1shed in 1888, and Benjamin Stoddert,
OF Maryland, was the first secretary.
Q.--What is the name for the insect
called child of earth PA. M. P.
A.-The bureau of biological survey
says that in the Southwest the de click
beetle, is locally known as Child of
earth"
Q.-What are free ports and where
are some Of them?-C. A. c.
A. free port is a harbor where
ships of all nations may enter to load
or unload upon payment of harbor duty
at first, and either reshipped for eX-
port or admitted for home consumption
upon the payment of the usual custom
duties. England never had any free
ports and there are none today in the
United States or France. In Germany,
Hamburg and Bremen, and Copenha-
gen., IN Denmark, are still practically
free ports. In earlier times there were
a number of ports of this nature.
Q;-Are, marines permitted to play
cards and gamble?-G. X.
A.-Marines are allowed to play cards,
but are not permitted to gamble.
Q--Is the Homer pigeon ever kept
for squad breedng?-A. S. b.
A-The department Of agriculture
says that the Homer is a good squad
producer, although, these squads are
rather small. The homing trait mawes
it necessary to keep these birds con-
fined if they have been purchased.
The Homers kept for racing and car
rying messages are usually Of different
breeding from those kept for squad
production. r., = 's
Q.--Who was known as the apostle to
A-This title was given to John Eliot
in recognition of his work in christian
izing the Indian tribes of New England
IN the seventeenth century.
Q--How may men were there in the
United States army at the beginning of
the late war and at its close III. +.
A-The war department says that the
regular army on April |. 1917, consisted
of l29, 297 enlisted men, while the
strength of the national guard brought
the total up to 307,74S At the close
Of the world war the army totaled g.
S97,194 men.
Q.-oWho owns the largest railway sys-
tem?--W. f. T.
A.-When the merger of the Cana
the Canadian government owns the
largest railway system in the world
Government lines control 1000 miles,
employ 10000 persons, operate 1000
modern locomotives, 1900 passenger
cars and 10000 freight cars, with carry
ing capacity Of 800 900 tons.
OWN the amount of electricity in
some individuals affect a watch through
their clothing, and to what extent?-
A. r. /.
A,--The bureau Of standards says that
the amount Of electricity in an indi-
vidual body will not affect a watch.
amy reader can get the answer to
any question by writing The News
SCimitar information bureau, Frederic
j. Haskin. director. Washington, u. c.
This offer apples ST. tctly to informa-
ton. The bureau can not give advice
on legal, medical and financial matters.
II does not attempt to settle domestic
troubles, nor to undertake exhaustive
! esearch on any subject. Write your
question plainly and briefly. Give full
name and address and inclOse two Genus
IN stamps for return postage. All re-
plies sent direct TO the inquirer.)