Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-20

| 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 1t deprives
/ you of benefits to which you are en-
| titled Your obligation is only 2 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. G.
| @. Where was surfboard polo first
played?-R. L. E.
/ A. 1t was invented by members of
! the Hui Nalu Club at Waikiki, Hawaii.
1t is a combination of polo and surf
board riding.
@. When was THE Black Crook" first
produced?-A. J.
A. 1t opened at Niblo's Garden in
New York City September IL, 1866.
The first season $65o,000 was made.
The extravaganza was playing some
where almost continuously from 1856
to 1894.
@. How fast is the population OF
Japan increasing ?-T. H. G.
A. 1t now has a population of more
than 80,000,000, which increases almost
| 100000 year. Almost 10000, 900 live
! in Japan proper.
@. Are there any commodities leav-
ing the United States upon which ex-
| port duties are placed?-F. T. D.
A. The United States has no export
| tariffs.
@. What was the purpose of a fire
| ship?-W. B. E.
A. A fire ship was a vessel set on
fire and sent among the enemy ships to
| destroy as many as possible by fire and
| to cause confusion. The use of such
| ships was first recorded at the siege Of
| Tyre. BIC. 1872. Soon after the begin
| ming of the nineteenth century their
usefulness declined owing to the de-
velopment of steam and change from
| wood to iron In shipbuilding.
@. What would happen if a big
| comet hit the earth?-C w.
A. Prof. Todd says that if the head
! OF large comet should collide with the
| earth. probably the air and water would
| be instantly consumed and dissipated,
and considerable region of the earth's
4 1dlScO W lIlCdIlQeSCGI1Ce. IL
| might happen that diffusion of noxious
! gases from sudden combustion of hydro
carbon compounds would so vitiate the
atmosphere as to render 1t unsuitable
for breathing. In this manner, while
the earth itself. its oceans and human
dwellings, might escape unframed, such
an event might mean universal death to
nearly all forms of animal existence.
@. When was the first inaugural ball
| held?-N. A.
A. 1t was held when James Madison
entered upon his first term as President
in 1909.
@. What form of execution is used in
| Cuba?-W E. L.
A. The Cuban embassy says that the
execution IN Cuba, when the death pen
atty Is carried out, depends upon the
condition OF the man sentenced. If the
condemned man is a member of the
| army, he is shot by a squad of soldiers.
In case of civilian being condemned
to death, the execution is carried out
by garrote. Garrote is a chair similar
| to the electric chair, which has a collar
OF iron and hide, which is fitted to the
neck OF the victim. This collar is at
tached to large screw, which, on NOV
ing, congresses and suffocates. causing
death by strangulation or broken neck
Generally the victim Is declared dead
within 10 or IL minutes after the execu-
ton: 1t is very old system of penalty,
used in Spain since 1882.
@. For whom was St Elizabeth's
Hospital in Washington, D. c., named?-
| E. l.. B.
A. The hospital was named for st.
Elizabeth of Hungary who spent her
life while on earth In ministerinr to