Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-10

This is q 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 1t deprives
you of benefits to which you are enti-
tied. Your obligation is only cents in
coin or stamps inclosed with your in
Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Haskin, director, Washing
ton, d, G.
Q. What Is meant by grain alcohol
FIN.
A. In commerce ethyl alcohol, which
Is made from maize or other grain, is
called grain alcohol.
@. How long has the Department of
Agriculture been conducting farm DEM
onStration work?-R. OBJ.
A. This work was inaugurated in 1904
in Texas. In February, 1929, the twen-
ty-fifth anniversary of the inaugura-
ton of this work was observed at Col
lege Station, Tex.
@. How long have there been adver-
Using agencies?-B. c. z.
A. In New York City, as early as
1850, there were agencies which ar
ranged rates with newspapers, gathered
information as to the extent and char
acter of newspaper circulation, ETC., for
the guidance of clients. 1t was after
the Civil War, however, with the devel-
opment of the patent medicine indus
try, that the business took on wider
and more complicated form.
O. What do the letters "F" and "Y"
stand for on the banners used by Co
lumbus when he landed at San Sal
Yador?-N. D. A.
A. The letters about which you in
quire evidently stand for the names of
Ferdinand and Isabella. The latter
name is not infrequently spelled with
"Y."
Q. What is meant by q diamond edi-
tion?-J. B.
A. 1t is said of an edition In a small
volume or volumes printed in small
type.
@. Was there a time when boxers
used lead or iron while boxing?-G. F.
A. Romans used the cestus, which
was covering for the hands of boxers
made of leather bands and often loaded
with lead or iron.
tars in appearance at the time they
conquered Russia?-D. M. M.
A. In the thirteenth century the
Tartars were a very much mixed race,
but in general the type was swarthy
with scant black facial hair.
@. When were cabinet photographs
first made?-E. r. S.
A. Cabinet portraits were introduced
p Win6nn f1hnfnOTo nf
Baker street, London. in 1867.
@. How far did the Graf Zeppelin
travel on its trip to and from Amer
ica?-E. c.
a. The Graf Zeppelin travelled 5000
miles in Ill hours on its trip to the
United States. The trip back was COM
pleted in SO hours and a distance of
1000 miles was Travelled. The differ
ence between the trips was due to the
fact that the airship had to cruise
1000 miles out of its route due to bad
weather.
O. Could a 4-foot rattlesnake eat a
souirrel?-B. H.
A. The Biological Survey says that
1t would be possible.
O. Is there a chance to get into the
movies by going to Hollywood if one
has not position in sight?-D. S.
A. Hollywood organizations say that
the number Of people there applying for
positions is far greater than the few
vacancies available and for this reason
they warn people not to anticipate a
career in the movies unless they have
money saved 10 keep them at least a
year in Hollywood.
@. Why is there a semi-circular sec
ton cut from the handle of almost all
f1nger-nail fles?-E. L. D.
A. The theory has been advanced
that the handle thus provides a gauge
to ascertain that the nails are being
! filed evenly, but a concern manufac-
turing the files says that, as far as it
can determine. the cutout was origi-
nally made solely for appearance.
@. OF what material are most of
the buildings in London made?-G. D.
A. All parts of London are alike in
{ the fact that most of the buildings
| are made of brick. There are no quar-
| ries nearby. so the stone for the finer
buildings must be brought from a dis
| lance. The smoke-laden London fog
blackenS the entire city. although the
! West End suffers least in this respect.
| @. Why can an electric spark be