Evening star., 1928-12-24

Inere is no OLler agency IN the WOTlQ
that can answer as many legitimate
questions as our free Information Bu-
reau in Washington, D. C.. This highly
organized institution has been built up
and is under the personal direction of
Frederic j. Haskin. BY keeping in con-
slant touch with Federal bureaus and
other educational enterprises, it is in
a position to pass on 10 you authorita-
tive information of the highest order.
Submit your queries to the staff of eX-
perts whose services are put at your
free disposal There is no charge ex-
cept 2 cents in coin or stamps for re-.
turn postage. Address The Evening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic j.
Haskin, director, Washington, D. c.
Q. Where is the worlds largest arti-
fetal lake?-L. W.
A, The Scientific American says that
the largest is that formed by the con-
struction of the new Martin Dam in
Alabama.
@. What has become of the British
convict ship Success?-A. B. S.
A. The ship is on exhibition in Can
ada. She will eventually return to Aus
tralia to be converted into a floating
museum.
@. What is the Althing?-H. E. C.
A. The Althing is the legislative body
of Iceland, and claims to be the Oldest
in the world. 1t was established in $50
and will celebrate its thouSandth ami
verSary in 1880.
@. How many school tunnels has the
city of Los Angeles?-C. E.
A. Los Angeles has 40 school tun-
nels, constructed at a cost OF 1888, ,708.
These give Street-crossing protection to
26,277 children daily.
Q. Who introduced the broom into
Americas. P.
A. Records found in diary in North
Hadley, Mass, show that Benjamin
Franklin introduced the broom into
America. The diary relates that a
woman acquaintance of Franklin sent
him from India whiskbroom with
broom corn seeds on the stalks. He
planted the seed and passed the stalks
among his friends, making round broomS
by winding thread around several
stalks.
Q. Who invented the thermos bottle?
d. T. G.
A. Sir James Dewar, an English sci
enlist, realized that If a vessel could be
contrived that would prevent liquid air
from rapidly absorbing the heat of its
surroundings, the air could be kept
longer in liquid state. His efforts to
invent such vessel were successful and
resulted in the Dewar flask, which has
had much wider commercial use as
the we'll known thermos bottle.
@. Has the Little Church Around the
Corner any memorial windows to famous
aPfOrSo-H G
A. The little Church Around the
Corner has memorial windows erected
to Edwin Booth, Richard Mansfield
James Montague and Joseph Jefferson.
The newest memorial window is one to
the memory of John Drew.
@. What is basic patent?-F. S. L..
4. The term basic patent" is used
ordinarily with much the same Signifi-
csnce as pioneer patent"-that is to say,
as having reference to a patent cover
ing an invention which represents a
marked advance in some art, as when
an inventor for the first time accom-
plishes a certain result There have
been a good many basic patents granted,
| from first to last, but no precise enumer-
alton is possible, since opinions vary as
to which patents are entitled to be so
classed. We note Bells patent on the
| telephone and HoWe'S patent Tor the
sewing machine employing an eye
pointed needle. There are basic patents
now In force for inventions relating to
wireless, radio and other subjects.
@. Did Andrew Jackson have more
than one home called the HERMITAGE"
"A. l.. M.
A. He had three homes named the
Hermitage" The present mansion was
constructed upon the foundations Of the
second one, in 1885.
@. When was the Gideon Society
| formed?-L. B.
A. 1t was formed in 1899 by three
commercial travellers for the purpose OF
banding together Christian commercial
travellers It is this society which fur
nishes Bibles for the guest rooms OF
hotels.
@. Where are some of the famous
whispering galleries?-H. M.
A. The best known are the Dome
of st. Paul's Cathedral in London,
Statuary Hall in the Capitol. Wash
| ington; the vases in the Sale des
Cariatides in the Louvre, Paris; the
Church Of st. John Lateran, Rome;