Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-27
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Did you ever write a letter TO Fred
eric J. Haskin? You can ask him any
question Of fact and get the answer in
a personal letter. Here is a great edu-
cational idea introduced into the lives
of the most intelligent people In the
world-American newspaper readers. II
is a part of that best purpose OF a
newspaper-service There Is no charge
except cents In stamps for return
postage. Address Frederic J. Haskin
Director. The Evening Star Informa-
ton Bureau, Washington, D. c.
four aces?--E. T. p.
A. The earliest editions OF Hoyle
which include this game. state that a
straight flush Is a better hand than
four aces The ranking OF the hands
is arranged according to the probability
of holding the combinations. The odds
against holding a straight flush are
"a 500 to ]. The odds against four aces
are AGA TO /.
O. What Is the mathematical name
for a solid the shape OF a doughnut---
that is, described by circle rotating
about straight line in its own
planes A. N.
A. Such a solid Is called tore.
O. Do birds ever use their wings In
climbing?-C. r.
A. Fledglings Of the i1oactzin, a sin
gular South American bird. scramble
about the branches Of trees by the aid
of their wings. used like hands. They
have temporary claw on both the
index and pollex.
O. MAY any one serve on the Inter-
state Commerce Commission who is not
laWyer?-H. D. K
A. 1t Is not a requirement.
O. What is free verse?-P. TN.
A. Verse which does not depend on
rhyme or meter Is called free verse It
does. however, have certain rhythm.
O. After the burning Of the Capitol
in Washington. D. c.. who was the ar
chitect in charge OF rebuilding it?-
w M.
A. After the burning of the Capitol.
Benjamin II. Latrobe was engaged as
chief architect. He was succeeded by
Charles s. Bulhnch. Robert Mills and
Thomas U. Walter.
@ What are blue-sky laws?-
w j. S.
A. Though differing slightly in some
OF the States. the blue-sky laws are
much alike in their essential features
They are designed to regulate the sale
OF stocks. bonds and other securities
but In practice their application has
been extended 10 wide range Of in.
vestment enterprises The law usualIy
contains penal clause prescribing
penalty for fraud In the sale or ne
collation. Of securities and vests in :
certain officer or body the power to in.
vestigate all transactions of this kind
@. When were special institutions fol
the instruction Of the blind established
in the United States?-D. II.
A. The first thought and purpose O!
building up special institutions for the
instruction of the blind seem to have
occurred 10 benevolent persons IN New
England New York and Pennsylvania
almost simultaneously. The New York
Institution for the Blind was incor.
prated April %. 1881. On March Is
1882. DR.. John D. Russ began the edu.
cation OF three pupils. The progress o:
the school was at first slow for want O:
An efficient head 10 direct its affairs
The Pennsylvania Institution. which i:
now one OF the foremost in the world
was founded in 1888. Subsequently
other schools were opened in the vari.
Gus States.
@. What kinds of wood are used 70.
washing machine cylinders?-M. K
A. Wood used in washing marhtre