davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

This is q special department devoted
TO the handling of inquiries. You nave
at your disposal an extensive organiza-
ton in Washington to serve you In any
capacity that relates to information.
Write your question, your name and your
address clearly and inclose cents In
coin or stamps for reply. Send to The
Evening Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric j. Haskin, director, washington,
D. G.
@. Are children IN cities or in the
country healthier?-L. u.
A 1t is believed that, taken as
whole, city dwellers are healthier than
rural jewellers. DR. Wood of Columbia
University saws that the need for health
instruction in rural communities is
greater than the need for such instruc-
ton in the cities.
@. Why are there more earthquakes
in Europe and Asia than in the United
States ?-B. H.
A. The occurrence of earthquakes
depends on strains set up by changes
in elevation and other slow earth move
ments There are more such actively
moving regions in Europe and Asia than
in the United States, hence more quakeS.
The details as to why certain regions
are in this state of change and others
are not are not fully known.
@. Why is the interest computed in
a bank always written in red ink?-H. F..
A The use of red ink by many banks,
particularly savings banks, to note the
interest is simply matter of conven-
fence, the interest being more easily
distinguished from the principal sums
by being written in colored ink. Any
color preferred may be used, or it is not
necessary to use a different color.
@. What use can be made of grape
juice that has turned sour?-G. A. P.
A. 1t may be used as vinegar after
being clarified and filtered.
@. Why may the cold air of Winter
be very disagreeable, although the per-
centage of humidity may not be very
high?-A. L.
A. The effect of the air on the body
depends on how near the percentage
of moisture in it comes to being the
greatest the air can hold. Air can hold
much more moisture when hot than it
can when cold, and the raw, cold air
of Winter is near the point where some
of its moisture will condense. Heat the
same air to 10 degrees and it feels dry.
@. Why weren't aviators equipped
with parachutes during the World
War?-C. w.
A. At that time parachutes were in
the experimental stage, as adiuncts to
airplanes, and were not considered Of
much help.
@. What is meant by the law of pro-
tective coloration in animals?-R. NJ.
A. The law of protective coloration in
animals relates to the law of nature
which gives animals and birds the colors
which enable them to hide themselves
readily. For instance, some birds are
colored about the same as the trunk Of
a tree.
@. What kind of apparatus was used
to raise and lower the drawbridges and
portcullises of medieval times?-A. r.
A. The portcullis was hung so as to
slide up and down in grooves with
.counterbalances. They were made of
strong-framed grating of oaks, the
lower points shod with iron. Sometimes
they were made entirely of metal. The
drawbridge was raised by chains and
CONFERENCE.-The attached to levers pro-
jecting from the wall at proper dis
tance above it. The levers we're elevated
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

by heavy weights attached to their inner
extremities, the wall forming the
fulcrum.
@, Why is the term bachelor" used
in college degrees?-T. c. NJ.
A The term bachelor" was first used
in connection with the preliminary stage
of knighthood. A bachelor knight was
one who had not yet raised his stand
ards in the field Of chivalry. 1t was,
therefore, used to indicate the acquire
ment of the first degrees in the liberal
arts or sciences. the masters or doctors
degrees indicating those who had at
tanned a higher degree of proficiency
through experience.
@. How far is it from Pittsburgh to
Cairo by river?--H. N. N.
A. This corresponds to the length OF
the Ohio River, which is $685. miles.
@. What is meant by the house flag
Of a vesSel?-M. E. L..
A. This emblem bears the device OF
the company owning the vessel, corre-
spending in a way to trade mark.
@. Has America produced an artist
who has been noted for his work in
stained glaSs?-A. NJ. G.
A. John LaFarge, who died in 1910,
was our first great artist of this kind.
He not only had a remarkable color
sense combined with his artistic gift. but
experimental successfully in the manu-
facture and designing of stained glass.
@. Is there any way to keep the
finger nails clean when working around
machinery?-B. Ct.
A Putting cold cream under the nails
before starting to work will prove
helpful.
@. Was Napoleons wife exiled with
him?-F. K.
A. She was not exiled. She returned
to live with her family.
@. When did the furniture maker,
Sheraton, live?-M. C.
A. He was born in 1851 and died in
1906.
Q, Was Hugo SHINES a self-made
man?-R. E. l..
A. Not in the usual acceptance of the
term. He was educated as mining
engineer and entered his grandfather's
firm in 1890. Two years later he went
into business for himself with a capital
of $4,000 marks At the time of his
death, in 1924, he was possessed of an
enormous fortune. The business was
not so successful in the hands of his
son and the organization was liquidated
and sold.
q. How many telephones are there In
the United States per 100 population?--
A. w. A.
A. AS of January /. 1880, there were
1892 telephones per 100 population.
@. How is suede finish produced on
leather?-S. w.
A. This nap is produced by sepa-
rating the surface fibers of leather on
carborundum or emery wheel. This
processing may be directed either at
the grain Of the leather or the flesh
surface, but is more often applied to
the latter. Suede finish usually indi-
Gates chrome or alum tanning as op-
posed to vegetable tanning, and the re-
sulting leather is soft, pliable and
strong.
@. Is there moonlight at the Poles
during the long nights?-T. s.
A. When it is continuous night at q
Pole the moon is above the horizon
during that half of the month in which
1t passes from its first to the third
quarter
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

little books. Practical as only years of
experiment, revision, recasting from the
very field of travel itself can make
them. Perfectly new editions, these in
hand. Out Of print for some little time,
but now up and on their way in gen.
uine personal service to the wide world
gone a-traveling and with no tongue
at all for any immediate use. Hardly
a situation that you may meet that
these little books will not lend you the
right sort of help. Not one, so far as /
can see. Tables of many kinds-dis-
tances, measures, weights (metric), are
ready for your use. All-around useful
ness is here for the traveller. I was
thinking this is something else
that these books may have another use.
That OF beginning lessons In the Ian
guage. just the ready touch that light
ems the common study of verbs and
nouns and things. A good aid to the
now somewhat common conversational
method" which does not always regis
ter 100 per cent. However, that is
another MISTER. Here are books for the
TurpasSing little books, en-
gaging ~ they ara plainly useful.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

of the Athletics. They have had op-
portunities to gain which they did not
grasp-rare opportunities, indeed. with
the "A's" winning so persistently But
then base ball is largely a matter of
Ifs" that have gone wrong. However,
the record for the past fortnight or so
has been provocative of pennant aspira-
tions, and the fact that the Philadelphia
team is losing more frequently than in
July and early August gives the local
fan tangible ground for hope.
Reckoning from yesterdays perform
ance, the Philadelphia team has only
twenty more games to play, while the
Washington team has twenty-three
Nine of Washingtons games are with
the Eastern teams and fourteen with
the Western. To date Washington has
won So games from it's Eastern COM
petitorS and lost 81, winning percent
age of a shade less than .632. in terms
of base ball arithmetic. It has won Is
games from its Western opponents and
lost %, winning percentage of little
under .622. These figures show that
the Senators have not been as strong
against the West as against the East
thus far this year To win the PEN
nant they must do better in the West
on the final trip than they have on the
other two, while Philadelphia is doing
more poorly in the same section. Thus
the championship for Washington will
be matter of what Theodore Roose-
welt called "the winning of the West"
and for this achievement the Senators
Will have the very best wishes of their
loyal public in the Capital and nearby
territory.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

Another good thing about the drought
is that there has been little thunder and
lightning.
Many persons are afraid of these nat
ural phenomena, although few will adj
NIT as much,
There is no reason, however, for
being ashamed of being afraid of them.
1t is one of the oldest fears in the
world
The ancients held these manifesto
tons in such regard that they attrib-
uted them both to Jove, ruler of the
world.
They were supposed TO be signs of
divine displeasure. and no doubt some
thing of that ancient fear comes down
to mortals.
As long ago as 1000 years, however,
Lucretius argued, in his poem "On the
Nature Of Things" against the Jovian
theory and attributed both lightning
and thunder to natural causes.
X X
Most men and all women, If assured
they will not be laughed at will admit
to an uneasiness at least in the pres
ence of violent thunderstorm.
Thousands have a positive fear Most
will say they are afraid of lightning, a
few will say the thunder.
One jumps at the sound of thunder,
much as a spectator in theater does
when the stage revolver is fired off.
He knows that the sound will not
harm him, but he cannot help starting
when the trigger is pulled.
Such an action with them is involun-
tary; so is most fear of thunder and
lightning.
1t used to be the fashion in country
towns for the residents to put them
selves on feather beds in the event of
an old fashioned thunderstorm.
We have forgotten what was supposed
to be the virtue of the feathers. No one
was supposed to keep pair of scissors
or other metal objects in their hands
during a storm.
Doors and windows were hastily shut,
no matter how hot the weather.
With the passing of feather beds,
refuge of the timid, more sane conduct
was instituted. Today in thousands of
homes persons still put down metal OBJ
jects. Many turn off the radio set, as
should be done, If for no other reason
than that the static is almost unbear-
able.
1t is a good plan to cut out drafts
during storm of thunder and light
ming. We believe this has the sanction
of those experts who have made study
of the course of lightning bolts.
*
Nor should one be so indifferent as
to stand in an open doorway during a
heavy storm.
Trees are far from the best place to
take refuge. 1t is better to get wet
than to run the risk of getting struck
by lightning.
Many wise persons make it rule to
avoid answering the telephone during
an electrical display. There have been
many instances of telephone users being
shocked.
In the country districts, where there
is more disposition to treat natural phe-
nomena with the seriousness which they
deserve, there is no home without its
anecdotes of big storms.
One speaker will recall the bolt in his
childhood which struck the old cherry
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

lotte Observer independent Democratic)
comments Politicians profess to see
in the fact that the President went to a
high protection State for his chairman
indication that no radical departure Is
anticipated from the Grundy scheme,
but others see only promotion of ca
pable man and an intimate friend Of
the President" The Harrisburg Tele-
graph Republican, remarks, Mr..
Fletcher is an earnest exponent of the
protective tariff, and working with the
Resident as a Pennsylvania he will
have tremendous influence in adjusting
the SCHEDULES so as to avoid serious fric-
ton ABROAD and at home
THE appointment" according to the
st. Louis Globe-Democrat (independ-
enD, may be, interpreted as the first
step fol, giving that body greater pres:
tige and authority with the public and
Congress than it has ever had before.
AS Pennsylvania and pfotege of Sem
ator Penrose, his protective NQrthodoxy
will be generally assumed, and q long
residence abroad ought to have given
him a view somewhat different from
that Of mere tariff dogmatism.'
HE comes from Mr.. Grrndy'S high
tariff State" agrees the Worcester Tele-
gram independently, but what of it?
Poor old Mr.. Grundy's overwhelming
defeat in the senatorial primaries would
almost indicate that Pennsylvania is not
the citadel of GrundylSm, whatever that
may be-" Pointing out that "satisfac-
ton is expressed in France that the
new chairman is a diplomat" the Tele-
gram concludes, Certainly he cannot
at one and the same time fulfill the
gloomy predictions of his American OPP
ponents and the cheerful predictions Of
his foreign admirers"
The Importance of the appointment
as a means of maintaining good will
Erie DiSpatch-Herald Republican,, the
Providence Journal independently, the
st. Paul Pioneer Press independently
and the San Antonio Express Cnde-
pendent Democratic). The Louisville
Courier journal independently declares
he lis no isolationist," but adds,
Whether he has been in the land Of
Grundy and Mellon long enough to abb
sorb the selfish, high protective tariff
attitude generally accredited to Pennsyl-
vania remains to be demonstrated"
The Boston Transcript independently
says: Mr.. Hoover is said have de-
sired not necessarily a trained economist
but a competent executive with broad
business training and grasp of world
affairs. Mr.. Fletcher is and has all
these" His ability is praised by the
Syracuse Herald independently and the
Richmond News Leader independent
Democratic). The st. Louis Times
Republican, states: He has interna-
tional experience and knowledge which
will enable him to act with open eyes.
1t is, too known generally throughout
the world that he Is libsral-minded and
Is ready to compromise in order to real
lie Justice"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02
Highlights on the Wide World
Excerpts From Newspapers of Other Lands.

10000 for an evening with his friends
in the Cafe de Paris and at the Mont
parnesse. No wonder people considered
there was something not altogether
right about his tranSactionSi
Jean Charles, however, accepted his
inevitable downfall with philosophy.
1.-The connoisseurs ought not to feel so
detected. They at least had their FIVE
years of heyday when they thought they
were buying these masterpieces from me
at such bargains" he remarked when
finally landed in prison cell for his
deceits. In this unfortunate state he
has left nothing of his ill-gotten pro-
ceeds as the result of his spendthrift
habits, while his principal confederate
in the hoaxes, one Cazot, wisely in
vested all his money, which assures him
of living in comfort when and II re-
leased In prison, too. he can subsist
upon more appetizing menus, while
Jean Charles Millet has access only to
the austere prison fare.
Jean Charles also conflded to one Of
his trial judges in all earnestness that
the case would make him a celebrity
and establish fame for him-the judge
which he never enjoyed before!
X = = X
Charge Paraguay
Slow in Accepting Terms.
Ell Diario. La PaZ,--It Is now almost
two years since the dispute relative to
the actual boundary between Paraguay
and Bolivia in the Chaco Boreal North
Chaco territory eliminated with col
lision between armed forces of both re-
publicS. The ParaguayanS, as they adj
mitted at the Pan-American Conference
in Washington, u. S. A, were really the
aggreSsorS in these hoStilities and with
out warning attacked, on December 5,
1928, the Bolivian frontier post known
as Fortaleza Vanguardia, driving out
the garrison. While the Paraguayans,
however, were taking Fort" Vanguar-
dia the Bolivians we're capturing the
Paraguayan work Castillo Boqueron, so,
after ALL honors were even and nothing
was decided about rights to the dis
puted territory prior to the appointment
of the foreign ministry of Uruguay as
court of arbitration. Since the estao-
lishment of this court our government
has acceded to every suggestion of the
tribunal at Montevideo, while Paraguay
has delayed in stating her claims and
shows no disposition to let conditions In
the contested region revert to their
former status pending settlement OF
historical precedence by the Impartial
Investigations of a mutually acceptable
mediator.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02
Is It Worth the Price?

The National Air Races have come to
a close and probably will be counted
a great success. A large number of
admission-paying customers has as
sured the payment of expenses. A new
altitude record has been claimed. and
the fastest speed ever attained at such
a meet has been recorded New types
Of airplanes have been demonstrated and
only fourteen persons have been in
Jured and four killed. Among those
injured has been one of the great avia-
tors Of all time Maj. MacReady, and
among those killed have been two Navy
aviators, one of them an ace among
Navy flyers: an airplane inventor and
an air-minded spectator.
The purpose of these national meets
is to make the public acquainted with
the progress of aviation and to build
UP a greater confidence in the airplane
in the mind of the layman. One Won
ders, however, whether the spectators
have received anything more tangible
than a bloody thrill out of the spec
tacle and whether the 1880 air races
will be remembered for the new marks
set in aviation or by the number of
casualties that paid for these new
marks.
Those who sponsor these annual
classics are faced with the problem OF
making them interesting, and to make
them interesting the numerous races
and hair-raising stunt flights are ar
ranged, with the cream of the Nations
aviators participating. The mere
thought of the sights that will be seen
draws a tremendous throng. More than
10000 spectators were on hand yes
:erday to witness the closing speed races.
The nature of the flights themselves
furnishes hazard for the flyers, but
the presence of the thousands of spec
tators doubles the risk. A crash under
ordinary circumstances may take only
the lives of the pilot and his companions.
But at the National Air Races the dam
ger of a crash into the stands always
exists as a fearful possibility. 1t was
nothing less than remarkable that at
least two of the fatal crashes at Chicago
did not turn into fearful tragedy, with
scores killed and injured.
The National Air Races have already
exacted an imposing toll from the ranks
OF participating flyers. 1t is almost
guaranteed that one who attends these
meets will be RECALLED with the sight of
one or more good" crashes. But what
is the use of it? Where is the gain?
Does the progress Of aviation depend
upon the speed with which racing air.
planes can fly course, laid out so as
to give thousands of spectators the
privilege of watching the planes make
their turns and dashes? Does the sight
of a plane, crumbling in midair and
falling in a burst of fame and smoke
to the ground, make an 'air-minded"
public? Does participation in the races
for the money prizes offered really add
to the skill and knowledge of the COM
peting plots?
Those who arrange the program and
other details in connection with next
years races should remember the price
that has been paid for their Success"
in the past. A careful appraisal of all
the factors would no doubt lead them
to emphasize safety above everything
else and prove that wholesale slaughter
Is not necessary accompaniment of
progress in aviation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02
An Example of Sportsmanship.

Miss Barbara Carstairs has tried again
and failed, bit in failure she stands
out as shining example of British
craftsmanship. Three times she has
challenged the famous Wood brothers
of Detroit for the Harmsworth Interna-
tional Speedboat Trophy and three
times she has been repulsed by this
team of veteran drivers. She says now
that it is her last race on this side Of
the Atlantic, not because the will to win
is lacking or because she comedies Amer
icas superiority in the building of fast
boats to be permanent thing, but on
the score that she can no longer afford
the expense of the sport. having already
put more than half million dollars
into it. But others have retired" be-
fore, and it may we'll be that this brave
English girl may next year find way
to try again to crafty her lifelong am
bition of holding the international
speed crown for her beloved country.
Her fastest boat, Eztslle " having been
forced out of the heat on Saturday by
motor trouble Just as it had bested
Gar Woods Miss America TX in a
thrilling dash down the straightaway
at eighty miles an hour, Miss Carstairs
pinned her hopes for yesterdays tilt
on Miss Estelle " and gracefully yielded
the wheel for the final effort to Bert
Hawker, her designer and codriver
make the WOODS do eighty miles an
hour or break up the boat was her
parting instruction to Hawker as the
sleek craft lined up for the start. But
the Estelle w was not equal to the
task, and while Gar Wood, with his
Powerful motors whining tpnc sweet
= n!ASls;l.c: CO.. 5aS ..;...S = 1ano
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

The adventures Of Aimee Mcpherson
should create no resentment. They
suggest, however, that specialist in
appeal to popular emotion should, for
the sake of personal comfort, arrange
TO have a psychoanalyst always in at
tendance to apply methods OF sympa-
thetic suggestion to alleviaticn of nerve
stress.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

An old-fashioned gentleman is Sir
Thomas Upton, who does not lend him
self easily to social exploitation. He
is obviously averse to making a yacht
race merely subordinate consideration
in the activities of modern society.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

Theaters promise better attractions
than ever for next season. The abiding
charm of the theater resides in its
indomitable optimism. which almost in
variably finds expression in at least one
or two palpable hits.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

mo peaches" announces the orchard
list, but plenty of apples" mo corn"
says the field farmer, "but plenty of
wheat" That favorite friend of the
statistician, the law of averages. is still
hopefully in evidence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

To many citizens Cole Blease has
seemed a trife blunt in speech and
manner. All the worlds stage and
mfr. Blease is evidently a good actor
who knows how to win the applause Of
his particular audience.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

Nobody pretends TO understand Lit
tie Old New York'-a town that
manages to run such an enormous sys-
tenn cf transportation on a simple system
of flye-cent car fares.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

The yachting game survives in high
class sport for the simple reason that
Sir Ticmas Upton has a persistent
fancy for it. A good loser often makes
history.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

Soviet craftsmanship asserts certain
reformatory ideals, but always comes to
earth when the ancient consideration
of the almighty dollar" asserts itself.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

1t might be desirable to have build
ings designated as temporary structures
torn down without waiting for them to
be burned down.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02

Statesmen with restless minds are
still hoping that Calvin Coolidge will
one day take to radio and tell what he
really knows about politics, which is
undoubtedly a great deal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-02
Year of Nv Lords.

From the Charlotte IN. c. News.
Britain created 90 new baronetcies
during the - months just passed.
Hereafter it will be referred to as the
year of my lords, 1929.