Evening star., 1928-12-28
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Many readers send In questions
signed only with initials, asking that
the answers appear IN the newspaper.
The space is limited and would not
accommodate q fraction of such re-
quests. The answers published are
ones that may interest many readers.
rather than the one who asks the ques-
ton only. All questions should be ac-
companied with the writer's name and
address and cents in coin or stamps
for reply. Send your question to The
Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, director, Washing
ton, D. G.
@. How much money was saved in
Christmas clubs this year?-H. T. s.
A. Over $550,000,000 was put into
Christmas savings in 1928 by some
100000 people. OF this amount it Is
estimated that 165,000.00 will be put
vestments. Less than half Of the total
will actually be spent for Christmas
gifts.
@. What letter in our alphabet is
the first letter in the most words?-J. D
A. The letter with which the most
words begin is 's" In new diction-
ary they number 57,428.
@. How long has grapefruit been
grown in Florida?-M. G.
A. Grapefruit appears to have been
brought to Florida by the SpaniardS in
the sixteenth century, and many de-
sirable varieties have been originated
there.
O. Who Is the chief descendant or
representative of Sir Walter Scott at
the present timer. r. j.
A. The British Library Of Informa-
ton says: "Sir Walter Scott Is now
lineally represented by the family of
his great-granddaughter, the Hon. Mrs.
Mary Monica Maxwell Scott, whose
eldest son is Col. Walter Joseph Max
well Scott of Abbotsford, c. B., D. S. o.,
Kara Georg with Swords (Serbian),
Legion d'Honneur (Croix d'Ofdcier)
Croix de Guerre."
@. In a game of five hundred, at no
trump, the nine of diamonds is led,
the ace Of diamonds follows. I have
the joker, but also a small diamond.
May I play the joker on the trick'
A. The holder Of the joker at no
trump, not having the lead, is not al
lowed to play the joker If he can fol-
low suit. When the holder of the joker
has the lead, he may lead the joker
and call for any suit he chooses, even
when holding cards of the suit in his
hand.
Q. What is meant by the law of
averages?-G E. L.
A. The law of averages aims to dem
onstrate that while the trend of human
affairs cannot be forecast with GER
tainty, it can be worked out to a con-
siderable extent arithmetically by ar
riving at averages based on statistics
relating to the event.
@. How many colored insurance
companies are there In the United
States?-R. e. w.
A. There are IA legal reserve colored
insurance companies in the United
States and Is assessment companies.
Q. How long do marmosets lve?-
A. Marmosets live about 2 or 8
years in captivity, though in a wild
state their span of life is about 10
years. They mature at approximately
years, soon after which they may
mate and produce young.
@. Why is the word "mate" used in
defining the end of game of chess?-
A. N.
A. The game was played in Persia
at an exceedingly remote period and
the words Check mate are from the
Persian words shah mat" meaning
"the King is dead"
O.. Was the great French essayist,
Montaigne, skeptic?-G. S.
A.. During his active literary life
Montaigne frequently made use Of the
phrases "Que sais-je?" (''What do I
know?") and "Qu importer" (''What
matters it?") when referring to re-
ligious questions. During his last ILL
ness he received devoutly the rites and
last Offices of the church.
O.. What language did Jesus Christ
speak?-K. N.
A. It is probable that the native