Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-13
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

This Is a special department devoted
to the handling Of inquiries. You have
at your disposal an extensive organi-
cation In Washington to serve you In
any capacity that relates TO informa-
ton. Write your question. your name
and your address clearly. and 1nclose
2-cent stamp for reply. Send to
{ The Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Haskin, director, Washing
ton, D. c.
O. Is there any danger OF explosion
by carrying a small reserve can OF gaso-
line in an automobile?-M. A. 3.
A. The Bureau OF Standards says
that there is no special danger OF ex-
plosion. particularly If the can is full
| In case Of accident there Is danger OF
! its splitting and setting fire TO the gaso-
line.
| O. Is there an accurate method Of
computing the distance between ships
when the height Of the enemy ship is
not known?-E. E. F.
| A. It Is determined by the use OF the
optical range finder. This instrument
! is installed IN the turrets of battleships.
1t consists OF long tube with optical
| prisms The length OF the tube Is
distance is then figured out mathemati-
cally. The degree of accuracy depends
upon the visibility conditions and the
| distance can usually be ascertained
within a few hundred yards OF the ex-
act distance.
@. Where are the ashes obtained that
are used in Roman Catholic churches
on Ash WedneSday?-C. L.
A. The ashes used in this ceremony
are made by burning the remains OF
the palms used on Palm Sunday OF
the previous year.
@. Is the Natural Bridge of Virginia
! illuminated at night?-C. E.
A. This bridge. which was once owned
by Thomas Jefferson. is nov artlflclally
| lighted.
! @. What were the early tribes that
inhabited Alsace -Lorraine?-C. /. K.
A. The carly Celtic tribes inhabitine
what is now Alsace-LOrraine we're the
Sequani. the Leuci and Mediomatrici.
O. Who were the HeSsians who
fought in the Revolution?-C. II. NICK
| A. "Hessians" is term in American
| history for the German conscripts who
were hired and sent over by England
! to help subdue the revolving colonists
| They came from six Of the small states
OF Germany. but as over half Of them
were from HeSse-Cassel and Hesse-
| Darmstadt the name "HeSsians" was
generally applied to them. They were
| first commanded by Lieut. Gen. PhiIipp
von Hester. but he was succeeded BY
| Wilhelm yon Knyphausen in l777
. They took prominent part in the bat
| ties of Long Island White Plains. Tren-
, ton. Bennington. Brandywine. German
town. Guilford Court House. Yorktown
| and several other smaller engagements.
| OF the approximate 10000 who came
! over to America only 1900 returned TO
f.! Germany About 1900 were killed out
/ right or died OF their wounds
Q. In Hongkong, how are the seasons
deSignated?-R. C..
A. From October 10 May is IN, north
east monsoon season: from May TO
October is called the southwest mon
soon season"
Q When vii! the smaller one -dolla-
bills b, put in circulation?-W c. S.
A II is planned TO put them in cir
culation in October. 1928, and to hare
the bills OF higher denominations N
circulation by July J. -92e.
@. Where is the oldes, building o.
English construction IN this country?
M W
A The oldest building of English
construction in America IS now called
st Luke's Church" near Smithflelo.
Va. -
O. Descr!be the religion OF the an
Gent Egyp,ians-E. ". Mex.
A The ancient belief OF the Esyp-
tians was both monosheistic and poly
theistic There was one supreme goc
Ra. represented by the sun. who had
for his wife Mout. the mother Of all
nature. Osiris. who was the chief ma
,ional Egyptian deity. was supposed 10
b. the son OF Sch. the earth. and Nut
the sky. There were many other lesser
-ods but Ra was supreme