Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-17

Take advantage Of this free service.
II you are one Of the thousands who
have patronizcd the bureau, writs us
again. II you have never used the serv-
ice, begin now. 1t is maintained for
your benefit. Be sure to send your name
and address with your question, and
lnclose cents in coin or stamps for
return postage. Address The Evening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic ].
Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C.
@. Why Is shellac used on the strings
Of tennis rackets?-G. M. B.
A. 1t protects the strings from mois-
ture, which is the usual cause Of strings
breaking.
Q. How many ducks are usually killed
during the hunting Seasonal. F..
A. The Biological Survey says that
the annual kill Is between 10000, 900
and 100000. This year there is such
q shortage Of wild fowl that steps must
be taken to reduce the number of birds
killed.
Q. What Is the income Of the Prince
Of Wales?-G. l.. c.
A. He receives an annuity Of 10000
pounds, conferred by act Of Parliament.
He also receives revenues from the
Duchy Of Cornwall and his other es-
tates.
Q. In what South American country
are the most former citizens of the
United States living?-A. r. C.
A. In Argentina. There are 3,7l8
Americans there. In Brazil there are
1858; in Venezuela, 1874; in Chile.
1856: in Peru, 1917; Colombia. Lila.
Other South American countries have
fewer than 1000 each.
@. Why Is q member Of Congress re-
ferred to on the floor as the gentle
man from New York, for example, in
stead Of by name?-E. w.
A. 1t is the custom in the British
Parliament, as we'll as the United
States Congress, and, in fact, in all
large deliberative bodies. to avoid the
use OF the personal name in debate or
procedure. The original purpose Of
this was to avoid any possible breach
to personalities and to prevent an &C
ton for libel being brought by an in
dividual, who might hold that his name
had been slandered
Q. What are the necessary qualifica-
tions for wireless operator on trans
atlantic vessel?-D. B.
A. He must be a commercial opera
tor with o first-class license. To be
eligible to a flrSt-class license q COM
mercial operator must be capable of
taking from 20 to rs words a minute.
both receiving and transmitting. He
must also be capable of passing a
written examination which counts about
10; experience counts about 10: grad
uation from a school Of good standing
counts about 10.
O. How is the past tense Of the word
taboo" spelled?-F. B.
A. This Anglicized form OF the Poly
nesian tabu or tapu has been given the
spelling "tabooed" for the past tense.
Taboo does not mean merely forbidden;
the word denotes sacred, inviolate, be-
longing to the gods.
@. How Is a either played?-T. B.
A. A either Is musical instrument
having from 80 to 40 strings over a
shallow sounding box, set horizontally
before the performer. A fretted finger
board at one side lies under some of
the strings, on which the melody is
played by plectrum on the right
thumb these strings being stopped by
the left hand. The remaining strings
are timed in fourths and plucked by
the fingers Of the right hand.
O. What is the origin Of the express
sion queens ware?-D. w.
A. 1t was originally 9 cream-colored