Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-24
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.


Q. What does the word "chintz"
mean?-E. Il.
A. It is a Hindoo word and means
valued goods
Q. Why did Columbus compass fail
to guide him aright?-H. Il. II.
A. The compass did not fail Column
bus on his first Journey. The actions
Of the compass were not clearly I'M
derstood at that time. In all seas
known at that time the needle pointed
not quite north. but little west of
north, and it was known that by
going west the compass needle would
point more nearly to the north. No
one had heard of a place where 1t
pointed exactly north or even some
what east of north.
Q. Please explain the presence of
GASES in desert.-A. T.. II.
A. An oasis in a desert is generally
caused by springs or streams rising
from a subterranean spring. In the
Sahara there are mountains sufficient.
~ high to induce rainfall in the
neighboring l0wlands, which thus re-
ceive sufficient water to support some
vegetation. A combination of soil that
holds water. but prevents evaporation,
Is sometimes found in deserts and
greatly favors the formation of cases.
q. What Is the rank of the officer of
the watch on shipboard?-J. A. =.
A. The officer of the watch Is in
charge of the ship during the watch
for which he Is detailed. There is no
particular rank for officer of the
watch. However, certain customs are
followed. For instance. on a mer-
chant ship there is captain and first.
second and third officers. The three
officers are usually detailed on the
watch.
q. What was the date of the first
engagement of American troops i'm
the World Ware. b.
A. Battery G. of the 9Th Field AR.
tillery fired the first shot from an
american organization in the World
War at sos am. October %. 1917.
The first attack by American foot
troops was by the 2Sth Infantry, 1st
Division, at Cantigny, May 20, 1918.
@. Has oil ever been discovered in
Nicaragua?-R. L. II.
A. The Pan-American Union sAys
that oil is believed to exist in Mica.
ragua, although no large DEVELOPMENT
still being studied by oil biologists.
Q. How many radio operators do
ships carry at sea?--E. V. A.
A. The Department of Commerce
says that the large ocean liners in the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans maintain
three radio operators: coastwise pa
senger vessels, two operators; freight
ers, one operator.
q. l have a well that roars at times.
II can be heard several feet away.
what causes thiS?--C. r. p
A. Your well Is probably what is
called a breathing we'll" The sounds
are caused by changes in the atmos-
pheric pressure.
Q. Who was the first of all vomen
appointed to the Notre Order of
Dames?-O. r.
A. Mrs. Charles Furse was the first
woman so honored. Dame Furse is
the daughter of the late John Adding.
ton Symonds.
@. How can a crow be taught to
talk?-R. b.
A. The Department of Agriculture
says that the only practical way a
crow may be encouraged to talk Is to
confine 1t in quiet room and upon
entering that room say one word. BY
repeating this practice the bird viii
learn the word. YOU can gradually
increase its vocabulary.
@. Is there any way of making
mercury solid without the use of for
eign elements?-O. f.. G..
A. Mercury solidifies when it freezes
at 37.9 degrees +. below zero, forming
a white mass easily cut with q knife,
and exhibiting crystals belonging 10
the cubic system.
Q. Please explain the sudden de-
crease in per capita money circulation
In 1922.--A. II. f.
A. The difference in the per capita
statement of money i'm circulation in
the United States from 1922 TO date
Is on account of the revision in the
statement of July /, 1922. Under the
old method money holdings in the
Federal Reserve banks were included
and under the revision were excluded.
Only money outside the Treasury and
the Federal Reserve banks is included