Evening star., 1925-05-06
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

Q. Does smallpox flourish in the
hot or cold weather?-A. NJ. M.
A. The Public Health Service says
that smallpox fourishes at any time
and place where people in the commu-
nifty are not vaccinated. 1t is gener-
ally known, however, that this disease
is considerably worse in cold weather.
O. Do deep-sea fish burst when
caught and brought out of the water?
A. G. +.
A. Deep-sea fishes, such as the red
snapper, when they are brought up
from great depths too quickly burst,
as the sudden change is too great for
the capacity of their air bladders.
@. What is the exact diameter of
the earth?-J. II.
A. DR.. Hayford made calculations
for the International Geodetic Physi-
cal Union and announced that the
earth is precisely 1926 miles and 678
thousandths of mile. in diameter and
1888 miles and 964 thousandths of a
mile through the poles.
Q. Can a one-armed player get into
the big leagues?-P. r.
A. There is no rule against a one
armed player joining major leagues.
There was a one-armed pitcher of the
name of "One-Arm Daley" in the old
National League about 80 years ago.
Q. Is there definite data concerning
the sinking of any island other than
Pulu Rakota?-T. P.
A. There have been various in
stances of islands disappearing
through volcanic action or through
erosion. One of the principal exam
pies of the former is Graham Island
F'erdinandea), in the Mediterranean,
which was thrown up a height of 200
feet with a circumference of three
miles in 1891. 1t soon disappeared,
however.
@. On what date did our Constitu,
ton go into effect?-G. r.
A. II was declared to be in effect
the first Wednesday of March, 1889.
@. How much of the crops are de-
stroyed by insects?-K. c. T..
A. The losses caused annually by
insect pests in the United States are
estimated by chronological authori-
ties TO reach the sum Of 100000, 900,
Q. Why does the German republic
hold its elections on Sunday
Z. NJ.
A. Sunday has been selected for
elections merely for purposes of con-
venience, as the country is largely
Industrial and it is difficult for per-
sons employed during the week 10
obtain the necessary time to vote. In
the recent election about 80 per cent
Of the qualified voting population
went to the polls.
,-I, Je, II,
the Florida Keys?-L. B.
A The Geological Survey says that
the exact number of these islands has
never been ascertained.
Q. When will Canberra become the
capital of Australia &C. X.
A. No definite date has been sci
for the official adoption of Canberra
as the capital of Australia. Con-
struction of the government buildings
has not as yet been completed.
.. Please give the dimensions OF
the hall and the formal dining room
at Mount Vernon.-A. w.
A. The central hall on the main
floor is 10 by 80 feet; the banquet
hall. 80 by 30 feet; family dining
room, II by 10 feet; east parlor. II
by II feet; west parlor, II by II feet
c. Has the Little Church Around
the Corner a memorial to a colored
man B. T. ".
A In the Church Of the Transfig-
uration, New York City tpopularly
called The Little Church Around the
Corner'D there is a stained glass
window which is q memorial 10 a
colored couple. George B. Wilson and
his wife Elizabeth Wilson. The for
mer was for many years doorkeepeI
of the church. Elizabeth helped heI
husband in the care of the church