Evening star., 1931-12-21
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Take advantage of this free service
If you are one Of the thousands who
have patronized the bureau, write us
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service, begin now. 1t Is maintained
for your benefit. Be sure to send your
name and address with your question
and inclose 2 cents in coin or stamps
for return postage. Address The Eve
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric ]. Haskin, Director, Washington,
D. c.
O. Does the President of the United
States pay an income tax on his sal
ary?-V. B.
A. The salary of the President of
the United States is not taxable. ANY
other income which he may have is
taxable. The Bureau of Internal Reve-
nue. says that the law regulating the
matter states that the Presidents SAL
ary cannot be reduced during his term
of office. This is construed in such
way as to exempt his salary from
income tax.
@. What was Thorpe's record for
kicking field goal?-F. J.. P.
A. His record in kicking a field goal
was 48 yards. This was place-kick
in the game between Carlisle and Har-
ward on November IL, 1911.
Q. How much did George Washing
ton pay for his pew in the church in
Alexandria?-M. H.
A. Thirty-six pounds ten shillings.
@. Why does it cost more to have an
automobile battery charged in one shop
than it does in another?-H E. B.
A. 1t is practically impossible to give
an average figure for what it costs a
plant to charge a battery, as this de-
pends entirely upon the amount Of cur
rent necessary for the particular battery.
the labor cost, service cost, etc The
size of the shop and the price of cur
rent in particular city have great
deal to do With the average cost to
charge a battery and would vary con-
siderably.
@. What are the dry powdered chem
icals used in fire fighting at home?-
r. w. G..
A. The Bureau of Standards says
that dry powder" fire extinguishers
which have been examined by that bu-
reau usually consisted of tube filled
with dry powder consisting of about
80 per cent baking soda with about 10
per cent inert material such as clay,
brick dust and asbestos to prevent the
powder from caking. The effective
ness Of dry powder fire extinguishers
in comparison with other available
flrst-aid equipment is small.
O. Is there any way to shrink a
woolen sweater that has been stretched
too large?-S. w.
A. There is no perfectly satisfactory
way of shrinking knitted garment
which has become distorted. Sometimes
soaking it in hot water and then dash
ing it into very cold water will improve
it somewhat. However, extremely hot
water will tend to felt the wool and
may injure its appearance.
G. How did Nags Head, the place near
which a fishing vessel recently was
swallowed by quicksand, get its name?-
T. w.
A. Nags Head is on the coast of North
Carolina near Cape Hatteras In colo
nial times the famous pirate, Saxon
Teach, known as Blackboard lived near
there. He would fasten lantern to a
horses head and, at night. the lantern
bobbing up and down with the move
ment Of the old nags head, would look,
from the sea, like ships light riding
the waves. Other ships, thinking there
follow and go ashore. The pirates then
would take the disabled vessel.
@. Were potatoes brought to America
from Europe or taken to Europe from
America?-L. M N.
A. Potatoes were introduced into Eu-
rope from America.