Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-15


each day are specimens from the mass
of inquiries handled by our great in
formation bureau maintained in WASH
ington, D. c. This valuable service is
for the free use of the public. Ask anS
question of fact you may want to know
and you will get an immediate reply.
Write plainly. inclose cents in coin or
stamps for return postage and address
The Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederick J. Haskin, director, Washing
ton, d. G.
@. How does the number of radio
sets in use today compare with the
number seven years ago?-J. e. S.
A. Radio Retailing says that in 1922
there were approximately $4,000 in the
United States and that now there are
more than 100000.
@. At the time that the Waldorf
Astoria closed I read that it was the
principal hotel in New York City. Does
that refer to its size or to the number
of people who patronized TIT. w
A. 1t was not the largest hotel in
New York City but some idea of its
clientele may be gained by the fact that
it carried $4,000 charge accounts in
Greater New York alone.
@. Why are some beaches, such as
Daytona, hard enough to drive a car
on, while others are so soft that per-
son walking sinks ankle-deep in the
sand?--J. J. G.
A. The Geological Survey states that
the reason some sand is hard enough
for driving and other sand is soft is
due to the shape of the grains. Where
the grains of sand are rounded, driving
is not possible and the sand is. soft.
At Daytona Beach the sand grains have
sharp corners and the sand forms a
hard surface for driving.
c. Is it true that dead rats are found
in the receptacles where bootleg alcohol
is made?-J. H. F.
A. James ODonnel Bennett says that
dead rats are often found in the bar
rels of mash which are conflscated.
The rats are attracted by the smell of
yeast and sugar, are overcome by the
fumes and fall into the liquor.
@. Who is in charge of the collection
of Jewish books in the Library of Con-
gress?-W. G. E.
A. The guiding spirit of the Semitic
division is DR.. Israel Schapiro, widely
known scholar writer and bibliog-
rapher He has been in charge of this
QINlSlOn VI ltl6 library SIIlCc 1O,OoU WI
umes were presented to it in 1912 by
Jacob H. Schiff as a nucleus, which
has grown into the present 10000 VOL
umes of Hebraica.
@. When were the salaries of the
members of Congress increased
L. w. B.
A. The increase from $500 to &c.,
900 took effect January l, 1927.
@. What is the difference in the use
of while and "when"?-W. H. D.
A. DR.. Frank Vizetelly says that
while" as conjunction is definite and
means during the whole time that"
Example: You are safe while I am
here" when" is indefinite and means
"at the time that" Example: When
the war is over. the politicians will re-
new the fight"
O. Does the color of a persons
clothes make him easier or harder to
see on highway at night?-J. S.
A. There is a decided difference.
Light-colored clothes are a protection
to pedestrian.
@. Why are the Richmond Blues so
well known?-B. E. L.
A. The Richmond Blues have occu-
pied a prominent place in the military
life of Richmond since the first COM
pany was formed in 1889. This COM
pany's dress uniform is said to be the
handsomeSt in America.
@. How many passengers on railroad
trains in the United States were killed
in accidents last years.. N.
A. During 1928, out of the millions
of passengers carried, 16 were killed in
railroad accidents.
@. Who was the famous Civil War
nurse who had Is twins and 6 trip
letS?-P. NJ. S.
A. Medical references frequently re-
view the case of DR.. Mary Austin, a