Evening star., 1926-09-10
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

@. Does the Smithsonian Institu.
ton have an observatory In Califor-
mia IN. d.
A. The Astrophysical Observatory
of the Smithsonian Institution has an
observing station on a plot of ground
leased from the Carnegie Solar OBJ
servatory on Mount Wilson, Calf.
O. Is daybreak in Palestine rapid
or gradual?-R. X.
A. One writer says: "In Palestine.
the sun seems to leap over the horizon
at Claybreak. There is no long period
of dawn with increasing light. Like
a fiery chariot: the sun springs forth
from the darkness, and it is morn
@. What dog was the first kind
domesticated?-L. b.
A. Shepherd or sheep dogs are re-
garded as the most ancient breed of
domestic dogs and have existed sNce
prehistoric times. Darwin states
that all Of our domestic dogs have
descended from a few wild forms,
namely, wolves, jackals and possibly
dingoes.
Q. Is the cost Of living increasing or
decreasing in the United States?-
r. NJ. C.
A. The semi-annual survey Of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics just COM
pleted shows that the cost Of living
in the United States decreased 1t
per cent between December, 1925, and
June, 1926.
Q. Are there poorhouses in every
State in the United States?-A. T. N.
hoc al,
@. How many cigars and cigarettes
are manufactured in the United
States yearly?-W. l..
A. Based on the sale of revenue
stamps necessary for the sale of
TOBACCO for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1925 there were manufac-
tured $500, ISL ,954 large cigars, 44S,-
204 ,613 small cigars. Is 1882 1886 large
cigarettes, 79,957 .612,2S5 small cigar
ettes. Stamps were also bought for
37,797,598 pounds of snuff and 372,
431 ,572 pounds of tobacco in other
forms.
Q. Did st. Paul visit spain?-
H. T. s.
A. 1t is not known. That he de-
sired to go to Spain is evidenced in
the New Testament.
O. How can 1 obtain nom de
plume?-B. w.
A. A writer simply assumes a
pseudonym. There is no formality
connected with the aet.
O. What are some of the byprOd-
ucts of the meat industry?-A. s. c.
A. More than 80 kinds of drugs are
by-products of the meat industry.
Rennet, best known as an essential
for curdling milk in cheese making, is
furnished by this industry. Other by
products are leather. fish lines, strings
for tennis rackets, glue, buttons.
giycerin, gelatin, candles, soap, beef
extract. wool, dice, hairpins, combs,
perfumes and oleomargarine.
@. Is it against the postal regula-
tions to inclose Il card with a personal
greeting written on it when sending
gift by parcel post?-A. ID. G.
A. Paragraph of section 447 OF
the postal laws and regulations says
inscriptions such as Merry Christ
mas Happy New Year With Best
Wishes and the like may be placed
on matter of the fourth-Class, or on
card inclosed herewith.
G.. What per cent of the land area
of Maine is in forests. Il.
A. About 65 per cent is forested. a
great part of the lumber which is cut
now is used in the manufacture OF
pulp and paper.
@. Is there any food that is cheaper
now than it was before the World
Warp. It.
A. Figures compiled by the United
States apartment of Labor covering
the years 1913-1924, inclusive, show
no ordinary article of food that was
cheaper at retail in 1924 than in 1913,
and none that was as cheap in 1924
as in 1913.
@. How many active oil wells are
there in this country?-W. A.
A. On January l, 1925, there We're
299 100 producing oil wells in the
United States.
O. Who was the first to conceive
of the transmission of pictures by
electricity?-D. II.
A. Although this. remarkable dis
covery is comparatively new to the
public, the initial step in the trans
mission of pictures by electricity was
made in 1924 by Alexander Balm. an
English physicist. His plan was so