Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-23
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Have we had the pleasure of serving
you through our Washington Informa-
ton Bureau? Can't we be of some help
to you in your problems? Our business
Is to furnish you with authoritative in
formation, and we invite you to ask us
any question of fact in which you are
interested. Send your inquiry to The
Evening Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric j. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. c. Inclose cents in coin or stamps
for return postage.
@. Is the branding of cattle with a
hot iron q practice of modern origin?-
e. z.
A. A little delving into history con-
vinces one that the branding of live
stock with hot irons is probably as old
as the industry itself. For instance
British histories make direct references
to the branding of cattle and horses as
early as the eighth century.
@. Why are ships and trains spoken
OF as "she"?-C. H.
A. In some of the older languages
such as Latin and Old German, from
which modern languages have been de-
rived. all inanimate objects were given
masculine or feminine gender. In this
way the moon was feminine and the
sun masculine. and among other things
ships and other vehicles were generally
spoken of in the feminine gender Mod
ern languages have adopted this same
idea. Therefore. the reason for speak
ing OF ship and train as she"
@. How large are the cables used for
telephoning and telegraphing?-P. j. G.
A. Electric cables used in telephon-
ing have a diameter Of .040 inch; in
telegraphing. .080 inch. The cables for
electric light and power purposes range
from "a inch to / inch and over. The
outside diameter Of the deep-sea cable
is about l inch.
Q. What is a Sabbath days journey2
A. A Sabbath days journey, accord
ing to old Puritan law, in case of
necessity, was 10 miles, that being one
half Of an ordinary days journey under
old custom, which placed the length of
days journey at 20 miles,
@. Do vines hurt the house upon
which they grow?-E. r. K.
A. Where the house is carefully con-
structed, heavy vines not only will not
injure. but will be protection. Where
the work is not done we'll in the be-
ginning, the vines will probably aid in
the deterioration.
@. Who paid for the bust Of Coolidge
which has been placed in the Senate
wing of the Capitol?-M. D.
A. The bust was made for the col
lection Of Presidents of the Senate, and
was paid for out of the funds Of the
Senate.
@. Who now owns George Mason's
home, Gunston Hall?-D. T.. B.
A. Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Hertle own
Gunston Hall.
@. When was the International Ice
berg Patrol established?-R. p.
A. The International Ice Patrol was
organized on an international basis as
a result of the International Conference
for the Safety Of Life ct Sea, in Lon
don, 1918. It resulted from q universal
demand for a protection of steamships
against icebergs in the North Atlantic
area after the loss Of the Titanic, in
April. 1912. The United States was
asked to undertake the management OF
this service, and agreed to send two
vessels to patrol the danger area dur
ing iceberg season, March l to July
Each Of the contracting parties con-
sented to bear share Of the cost In
proportion to It's shipping tonnage.
@. In speaking Of the law. why is the
term bar" used?-T. K.
A. The word bar" was originally
applied to the rail which separated the
court officials from the suitors In court
their advocates and friends. When the
case was tried. the suitors presented
themselves at the bar, accompanied by
their advocates. who addressed the court
from that position. = -,
@. What may be used to remove dye
from the hAir7-G. r. ."a
A. To remove the old dye, olive oil
and kerosene, mixed in equal portions
may be applied to the hair from roots
to ends. This is done at night. and the
head Is wrapped In towel. Then