Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-18
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

ANY reader can get the answer to any
question by writing to our Information
Bureau in Washington, D. c. This Of
fer applies strictly to information. The
bureau cannot give advice on legal,
medical and financial matters. 1t does
not attempt to settle domestic troubles.
nor undertake exhaustive research on
any subject. Write your question
plainly and briefly. Give full name. and
address and inclose cents in coin
or stamps for return postage. The
reply is sent direct to the inquirer.
Address The Evening Star Information
Bureau, Frederic j. Haskin, director,
Washington, D. c.
O. What is meant by Delegates and
Commissioners in our Congress-
M. E. V
A. Delegates are the representatives
who come to the Congress from the
Territories of Alaska and Hawaii. Com
missioners are those who come from
our insular possessions. The Philip
pines are entitled to two and Porto
Rico is entitled to one. These Dele
gates and Commissioners have no vote.
@. Are Indians good swimmers
d. w.
A. The American Indian is a fairly
good swimmer. Generally, in crossing
river. the Indian would hang on to
the horses tail.
O. What is the average length OF
life of a dog?-J. M. H.
A. The average life Of dog Is about
seven years.
@. When were carpet sweepers in
vented?-V. u.
A. Carpet sweepers of a crude pat
tern were made in England hunore9s
of wears ago. but not until 1876 was this
device seriously considered as a time
saving, labor-saving household article
To Mr.. M. r. Bissell is due the credit
of producing the first carpet sweeper
that did the work properly.
@. Are there any subways under the
Thames River?-C. w. Med.
A. There are several subWayS be-
meath the Thames. The Rotherhlthe
Tunnel is l mile and 440 yards for
foot passengers and vehicles, the Black
wall Tunnel is nearly one and one
fourth miles long and is for foot passen-
gers and vehicles, the Greenwich Tun-
mel is 406 yards long and Is for foot
passengers only, the Thames Tunnel Is
,OOU ICCb AL anu 40 III" %A~SSN'
The Tower subway is for foot passen-
gers and is now closed.
@. Why does a gas jet pop when the
gas is turned off?-B. F. w.
A. A gas jet pops because of the
accumulation of air in the pipes.
@. Why is colonel pronounced as If
the word contained an "r"?-A. g.
dow accommodation nj
the word colonel" is based upon the
original spelling of the word, which
was "coronel."
@. Should the liquor on canned
vegetables be discarded?-R. D.
A. The mineral salts and other
soluble substances which foods possess
partially escape into the water while
cooking, so that the flavor and SAVIOR
of the canned goods is impaired II
the liquor Is discarded. For this rea-
son vegetables should be prepared using
the liquid as a sauce or dressing. II
the vegetable is to be served in some
way not requiring a sauce, reserve the
liquid for a soup.
@. Will soap thrown into geyser
force 1t into action?-W. r. P.
A. The Geological Survey states that
sometimes soap is used as an expedient
to hurry up the action of a geyser
The soap makes film over the water
and causes an accumulation of steam
When the steam accumulates to a GER
tain point, 1t causes the eruption.
@. Where do the Eskimos live?-
w. A. d.
A. The Eskimos are inhabitants of
the northern coast of the American
continent down to latitude so degrees
north on the west and SIS degrees on
the east. and of the Arctic islands,
Greenland and about 400 miles of the
nearest Asiatic coast. They prefer the
vicinity of the seaShore, from which
they rarely withdraw more than 20-80
miles.
@. What is the Norbeck-Andresen
act?-P. N.
A. The Observation-Disclosures migratory
bird refuge act. which has just been
passed by Congress by unanimous vote
of both houses and approved by the
President. is one of the most important
wild-life conservation measures ever put
on the statute books of any nation. 1,
supplements the migratory-bird treaty