Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-15
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

This is a special department devoted
solely to the handling Of queries. This
paper puts at your disposal the services
of an extensive organization in Wash
ington to serve you in any capacity that
relates to information. This service is
free Failure to make use of it de-
prives you of benefits to which you are
entitled. Your obligation Is only two
cents in coin or stamps inclosed with
YOUR inquiry for direct reply. Address
The Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, director, Washing
ton, d. C.
@. When was the first railroad built
In what is now the State of Wash
ington?--J. P.
A. The first was the Walla Walla and
Colorado River Railroad which was
opened November /. 1875. II was 80
miles long and extended from Walla
Walla, Wash, to Wallula, Wash.
Q. How is the academic year divided
at Oxford?-F. C.
A. 1t is divided into three terms of
eight weeks each. The first term,
Michaelmas, extends from early in Oc-
| tober to early in December; the second,
Hilary. from the middle of January to
| the middle of March; and the Summer.
| Trinity. from the end OF April 70 the
end CT June.
@. How many tons Of coal did the big
skeleton barges hold that pushed down
| the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to New
Orleans 35 years ago?-A. B.
A. If YOU mean what was called the
coalboat--now obsOlete-the sides OF
which were IL inch hemlock, its car
rying capacity was 1000 tons.
q. Which States bear the title Of
commonwealth?-A. H. 6.
A. Four States have officially adopted
| this itle-Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
Virginia and Kentucky.
O. What are the talest buildings now
under construction?-R II.
A. The new Chicago Tower and APP
parel Mart, which is now under con-
struction, will be $50 feet high and
| will have rs stories. New York City
| has lust started the Chrysler Building,
which will be 500 feet high and have
| 65 stories. These will be the two high
| est buildings constructed or under con-
| struct.on.
| @. What is a three-place plane?-
| r. L. j.
A. 1t is an airplane with capacity for
! carrying three passengers.
@. Who originated manual training
| in the schools?-F. H.
A. The history of manual training in
| the United States involves both the de-
velopment of the idea and the develop
ment of practice In the field Of prac-
tice little of purely educational char
| acter appeared before 1878. at which
| time the Workingman's School was
| founded by the Ethical Culture Society
| Of New York. This institution COM
| prised a kindergarten and an elemen-
| tary school, in which manual work
| formed from the first a vital and i'm
| portant part of the educational scheme.
| The general movement, however, took
| its large beginning, as has been the
| case with so many educational move
| ments, at the top instead OF the bottom
| of the school system. In 1880, through
| the efforts of DR.. Calvin A. Woodward,
| the St. Louis Manual Training School
was opened in connection with Wash
| ington University. The work of this
| school attracted wide attention and its
! success led to the speedy organization
of similar schools in other large cities.
@. What does the name Savannah"
meant. B.
A. 1t is derived from the Spanish
word "savanne," meaning grassy
plain"
@. How far south can the North
Star be seen?-G. L.
A. The North Star is, not exactly at
| the North Pole of the heavens and con-
! sequently travels around it in a small