Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-17
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

This Is special department de-
voted solely to the handling Of queries.
This paper puts at your disposal the
services OF an extensive organization
in Washington to serve you In any Ca
pacity that relates to information.
This service is free. Failure to make
use of 1t deprives you of benefits TO
which you are entitled Your obliga-
ton Is only two cents in stamps en-
closed with your inquiry for direct re-
ply. Address The Evening Star In
formation Bureau. Frederic j. Haskin,
Director, Washington, d. c.
O. How many licensed airplane
pilots are there? Is there plenty Of
room in this field?-J. L. B
A. The Department of Commerce
says that 1850 persons have received
pilots licenses. There are Alas pilots
who have filed applications for pilots
more student airplane pilots than there
is a demand for them However, the
airplane industry is expected to de-
velop rapidly and there should be in
the near future formation Of new
companies which will need experienced
avi2tors and mechanics.
O. How thick is the hide OF a buff
falo? or an clephant?-V. L. G.
A. The National Geological Park in
forms us that the skin OF mature
buffalo Is about one-sixteenth OF an
inch thick Where the hair is long.
however. around the head and shoul-
ders, the skin is sometimes as thick as
three sixteenth Of an inch. The skin
of an ordinary sized elephant is ap-
proxinlately threc-Guarters Of an inch
In thickness.
@ What is the longest time per-
son has stayed under water without
a breathing appliancc?-1. c. B.
A. The diving record for daptf and
endurance was made b. Ed Harrison.
depth. 50 feet; under water 3 minutes
4S seconds
O. How much money vas spent By
the War Department last ycar?-C. NJ.
A. The expenditures of the War De-
partment for the fiscal year 1927. for
military activities amounted 10 $751;
3l8400li: for non-nilitary activities.
s64,344.32223 which sum includes
sos 3e4.52427 for rivers and hsrbors.
and s2.4oo .90fIo for inland and coast
wise waterways service.
O. What is the population of In
dia M A.
A. Il is more than 3oo,o0o,0oo.
O. Who were the Fsssnsss7 Did
Jesus Christ and John the Baptist be-
long to the c-der?-C. w
A. The Essences were Jewish
Brotherhood whrh was founded prob
- ~~rr@
centuries before Christ. existing 10
are not found in thu Bible or rabbirical
literature. but certain profano writers
such as P!!ny. Josepnus and Phiio de-
scribe them as religious separatists,
having a strict code Of cereC,onia. OBJ
scrvances r!uch mora rigid than the
ord:nar- ceremonials OF Judaism
They also were celibate and lived IN
communities holding all things in CON-
mon. The requirements fcv member
shin were most rigid recurring long
rer:od Of testing end discipline. There
Is ~ probability that JESUS Christ was
ar Essence. but II has baen "dvarced
thnt Johr thn Baptist WIS OF q typt
which would b. acceptable.
@. What is tn amount Of rai;:::2.
in CEan-h1t ana PeKiIE Il. r.
A Cu-irg a S5-v-sr raricd t.e AZ
craze ra:rfa1l in Sf!ar~hai was a.
irctes. and IL Picking. IS inches
o FOX much would j. cost t',e Gov.
"rrra~t ~ 6o -" Necessary work IT
ne Nississ;nri River - remedy the
fc~5irr prob1em9-B, l..
A. THE report Of the Army engineers
contains ar estimate Of approximately
$500 900 900 Tor needed works.
G Who were the Fatinite Califs:-
E. c..
4. The rat;mites were an Arabian
dynasty Of Calls who reigred over
Northern Africa and Syria soS-liTi
They n-ofessed 10 trace their descent
from Fa,!r,a, the daughter Of Moham'
med. The califate was established b,