Evening star., 1931-12-15
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Thousands Of Government experts are
working constantly for the benefit Of all
citizens Of the United States. They will
work directly for you II you will call for
the fruits Of their labors through our
Washington Bureau. State your inquiry
sriefly, write clearly, and, inclosing q
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ply, address The Washington Star, In
formation Bureau, Frederic ]. Haskin,
director, Washington, D. C.
@. Are talking pictures made In Aus
tralia?-F. c. S.
A. 1t Is reported that the first COM
plete all-Australian talking film pro-
gram has been exhibited in Melbourne
A company to be known as Australian
and New Zealand National Films, Ltd
with capital Of f250, 900, is in process
Of formation.
@. Why Is the hour Of II observed by
the Elks?-E. G. M.
A. Originally the Elks were known
as the Jolly CorkS, club of men
composed exclusively of actors who usu-
ally met in New York on Sunday nights
in friendly fellowship, and they formed
club and the custom was established
of drinking to the absent ones at II
o'clock every Sunday night, and as
result thereof remembrance of absent
members became one of the principles
Of the present great Order of Elks. and
the custom Is regularly observed In Elks
homes and clubs and lodges, and indeed
wherever a group Of Elks may be gath
cred together. In many Elks homes
there are automatic light controls and
electric clocks and when the hour hand
points to IL O'Clock every night the
lights are dimmed, IL strikes are sounded
on the clocks and the members present
remain standing in silent meditation
during that period.
@. How many people are killed by
tigers in India?-R r. r.
A. Approximately LOO persons are
killed by tigers every year in India
@. Please describe an Atlantic
cable?-J. H.
A. According to a description given
by the Western Union, an Atlantic
cable consists of central copper wire
which carries the electric current, and
around this are wound flexible copper
tapes. This Is wrapped with permalloy
tape. The metallic part Of the cable Is
inclosed in a thick covering Of gutta-
percha, around which Is wrapping of
jute which cushions the pressure of sew
eral miles Of sea water. Eighteen steel
armor wires surround the cushion. and
the whole is inclosed In an outer coating
or wrapping Of tarred hemp cords.
@ Who presided over the Democratic
National Convention in 1916 and where
was the convention held?-G. H. F.
A. The late Senator Ollie NJ. James
of Kentucky was the permanent chair
man of the 1915 Democratic Convention,
which was held in st. Louis.
O. When was the carpet in Mount
Vernon presented to George Washing
ton by Louis XVI? A. r. G.
A. The following information was
given by Mrs. Townsend Whelen Of
Philadelphia when she sent the rug to
the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
in May, 1897: This carpet was made
by order Of Louis XVI Of France for
George Washington, President of the
United States, and was sent over dur
ing the first years of his administra-
ton. when Philadelphia was the Ma
tional Capital As he was not allowed
to receive presents from foreign pow
ers, the carpet was sold to my great
grandfather, Judge Jasper Yates, and
remained in the old family mansion at
Lancaster until about 80 years ago.
when it came into my possession"
peril? H H L w" M
A. 1t refers to a scare. originally
raised in Germany in the late ninetieS
that the yellow races would in a yery
few years have increased in popula