New Britain herald., 1926-10-08
QUESTIONS ANSWERED

writing to the Question Editor. New Britain Herald. Washington Bureau, 1922 New York avenue, Washington, D. C., enclosing two cents in stamps for reply. Medical, legal and marital advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be undertaken. All other questions vii receive a personal reply. Un- signed requests cannot be answered. All letters are conf1dential.-Edit Q. Is there an acid that will | dissolve asbeetos? Is asbestos soluble In water?
 A. Asbestos is not soluble In | water nor in ordinary acids. Hydro fouric acid will dissolve it and 1t is slowly soluble In aqua regia and other strong mineral acids. Asbes- tos filters are frequently used for acid solutions.
 started and when was 1t opened to the public?
 A. It was begun in January, 1870 and opened May A, 1883. c. Do toads croak like frogs? A. They do not croak but have very definite call which biologists identify as triling.
 Q. Where was the first news paper printed?
 A. The earliest newspaper is supposed 10 be the Chinese Tching pao, or News of the Capital" which has appeared daily in Picking since 750 A. D. It consists chiefly of official news. decrees, etc.
 Q. How was the magic carpet operated in The Thief of Bagdad" ?
 A. A carpet was suspended by piano wire, and a specially built mechanism whisked 1t over the set at 25 miles an hour. The camera and projector created the illusion of infinitely greater speed.
 c. When does the wind travel the fastest?
 A. In hurricane. sometimes at tainng a velocity over 100 miles per hour.
 c. What are the highest falls in the United States?
 A. Yosemite Falls in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. They drop 2,66O feet. c, What is 'bloodless surgery"? :? A. The term is commonly en- ployed for the method oi operating with comparatively slight loss of blood. In the amputation of q limb this is accomplished by using a tourniquet above the place where the limb is to be severed and by carefully tying the blood vessels after the operations In other operations, the surgeons assistants clamp the blood vessels to prevent the flow of blood and tie the ends after they are cut.
 Q. How many radio receiving sets are in Use in the United States?
 A. The Department Of Com merce estimates that there are more than 5.500000 radio receiving sets in use in the United States, or ap- proXinately one set for every 20 persons.
 Q. What Is the worlds record for standing broad jump? A. II feet 7-S inches. c. How docs the area of the United States compare with that of Europe?
 A. Figures for 1920 gave the 1 area of the United States as 3,743,- 529 square miles and that of Europe 3,S21,0 ,000 square miles. c. In what zone and between what degrees of latitude and longi- tude does the United States lie? A. IL lies between the latitude | of 25 degrees and 49 degrees mort h and between the longitudcs of 67 degrees and 125 degrees west. It is in the north temperate zone.
 Q. Why are commemorative coins sold for more than their face value?
 A. Because the profits realized from their sale are generally in tended to help defray the expense. of the celebration for which they are minted
 Q. Will baseball dropped from an airplane moving 100 miles ar hour fall straight down?
 A. No. It will be sucked alone by the plane. This was illustrated when Babe Ruth, on July g, 1926 at Mitchell Field, New York, failed five times 10 catch ball dropped from an airplane moving 100 mile. an hour at height of between POI and 300 feet. The balls he mjsset dropped among the camera men.
 Q. Was Frank James, brother 0 Jesse James, ever in prison?
 A. In the October following th, death of Jesse James, his brothe Frank surrendered and was held i, 1ail for more than year awaitin, trial. but he was never convicted o, any charge.
 Q. What does 1t mean to gel ones "birthright"
 A. This phrase comes from tb, blpllcal story of Jacob and Esau an, meant in that instance the givin, up ones divinely appointed right t.
 take his fathers place as head e the family when the father died It was an honored position an, among the Jews, to treat it ligh1l
 was regarded great sin. General " speaking 1t means giving ID one honor or position or prestige q : something that has been hande town rom ones forefathers fo something not worth while.
 IRISH IOIrRISus. uINn