Evening star., 1928-03-09
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Many readers send In questions signed
only with initials, asking that the
answer appear in the newspaper. The
space is limited and would not ac-
commodate fraction OF such requests
The answers published are ones that
may interest many readers, rather than
the one that asks the question only.
All questions should be accompanied
with the writer's name and address and
a two-cent stamp for reply. Send your
question TO The Evening Star Informa-
ton Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, direc-
tor, Washington, D. c..
@. How many plays have had more
than 500 performances on Broadway
B. T.
A. Up to June IS. 1927. there had
been %. They were "Abie's Irish
Rose" 2.l79 performances: "Lightnin'."
1921; The Bat" s67; The First
Year" 760; Seventh Heaven" 704;
White Cargo" 702; Peg o. My Heart"
692; East Is West" $50; Irene" 67o:
"A Trip to Chinatown" 657; Rain"
64a: rs Eat So 618: Student
Prince" SOB; "Adonis," SOB; "Kiki."
600; Blossom Time" 592; The Show
off," 57l; Sally" $40; The Music
Sunny" ST. "The Vagabond King"
5ll, and Shuttle Along" 5o4.
@. What are the average earnings Of
an air mail pilot?-J. w. r.
A. The average pay of commercial
pilots (this includes air mail pilots)
ranges from $500 to $500 a month.
@. What countries other than ours
raise oysters for the market?-D. c. M.
A. The various countries which raise
oysters for market besides ours are
England. Franco, Germany, Holland,
Spain, Italy, Australia. China, Japan.
Canada. Mexico and certain parts of
South America and Algeria. In these
various countries there are about 10
different species OF oysters all Of which
are similar in structure to our own.
though some do not grow quite so
large.
@. Should automobiles wait for pedes-
trians or pedestrians wait for automo-
bilfs?-W p.
A. Pedestrians and motorists should
bear considerate attitude each to the
other. Along rural highways, when
ever there are suitable sidewalks or
paths. pedestrians should use them.
Where there is none they can generally
walk most safely on the left-hand side.
facing the traffic. but should not force
motor traffic out of line or otherwise
impede it. In cities pedestrians should
be instructed. urged and required TO
keep within the boundaries Of desig-
mated safety zones and crossing places
and. when there is congestion. to cross
only with the traffic. Motorists should
be required to accord pedestrians safe
and dignif1ed use of such safety zones
and crossing places.
O. Where is the district In London
called Minlms?-A. NJ NJ
A. There is no district actually in
London called Mimms North Mimms
is In Hertfordshire. The manor was
held by the Bishop Of Chester as early
as the reign of Edward the Confessor
South Mimms Is l4i2 miles from Lon
don.
@. Was Alexander Graham Bell
born In this country?-A. r. r.
a. He was born in Edinburgh. Scot
land. March 3. l847; moved 10 Canada
in August. 1870. and came to Boston
in 1871 as a teacher OF deaf nutes.
@ Why does a discordant note in
music produce an unpleasant sensa-
tion?-A. T B.
that HclmhoitZ's explanation OF why a
discordant musical note will offend the
car Is. as follows: The essence Of dis
sonance consists merely in very rapid
beats or changes in intensity OF the
sound. Two conSonant tones flow on
quietly side by side in an undiSturbed
stream: diSSonant tones cut each other
up into separate pulses. These pulses
may be too rapid for the ear to sepa-
rate.Vbut their existence may be dem.
orStrated. The nerves OF hearing feel
these rapid beats as rough and un-
pleasant because every intermittent ex-
citcment of any nervous apparatus af-
fectS us more powerfully than one tha.
lasts unaltered.
@, Which railroad has the iarges;
number of stockholderS?-G. E.
A. The Pennsylyan;a-li2.62 .622. a. the
latest report.
@. What percentage of the people o.
Japan ore literatc?--A. ]. C.
a. The rate Of l!teracv is extremely
high; being es or 80 per cent OF the
population.
Q. Is the religion OF Buddhism di-
vided into Sccts as Is the Christian re-
ligion9--S. ".
A. Like the Christian religion. while
fundamental principles and doctrines
are usually accepted. there is wide di-
tcrgence IN doctrine and poliiy OF
Buddhism. In Japan there are II
SectS Of Buddhism. l3 Sects OF Shinto-
II =.