Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

resentatives that information had been
received Of . very gallant action hav-
ing occurred between frigate Of the
United States OF 50 guns comma nded
by Commodore Truxtun, and a French
vessel Of So guns. He stated that 1t
was not usual to grant emoluments on
account OF any past gallant action TO
our officers, but that 1t was common
and consistent to grant appreciation
He also stated that In other countries
monuments were erected in cases OF
this kind. As already indicated, Con-
greSs approved of his suggestions and
the medal was awarded.
Q. What is halstion?-C. G. r.
A. 1t is defined as a halo OF light
sometimes seen around the image of
bright object in a Photographic posi-
tive print. It occurs In photographs
OF bright incandescent lamps. strongly
back-lighted objects, interior scenes In
Guiding sunlit windows, or the outline
Of building against blue sky. 1t
Is phenomenon Of scattered light 1t
Is caused by the reflection from the
back OF the film or plate of a certain
amount Of light which has passed
through the sensitive coating.
g Please give a history of street
traffic lights. NJ.
A. The use of lights in trafic sig
mailing undoubtedly grew out OF rail-
road practice. Their use seemed TO
arise more or less simultaneously In the
larger cities Of the country. They we're
first used in the form Of lanterns to
make visible at night the indications
OF oncer-operated semaphores. Later
both ofhcers and lights were raised In
towers Tor the purpose Of making the
indications more visible TO traffic and
to give the officers a better view of
trafdc conditions and the activities OF
ofncers at adjacent intersections. De-
troit had one Of the first Of these
tower systems The advantages of Of
ficerS at adjacent intersections working
together led to the development of
interconnected, mechanically timed sig
nails and the subsequent development
OF the elaborate technical methods
which are in general use at the present
time.
Q. What size hat does Prof. Einstein
wear?-W. c. c.
A. His secretary says Prof. Einsteins
hat size Is SO centimeterS. A centimeter
equals 33937 inches.
@. Why does the air get thinner rs
We ascend mountain?-V r.
A. The cir is held to the earth by
the force Of gravity. The air close to
the ground Is pressed down by the
weight Of the air above it, which makes
it denser. AS the distance from the
earth increased there Is less ali above;
therefore it expands and is thinner.
Q. What is known as Colonial archi-
tecture Pc. B.
A. When speaking Of Colonial build
ings. none should be included Of a
date later than 1776. In New England
most Of the buildings of Colonial times
were OF wood and were built by car
penters who were also shipbuilderS
These artisans developed a style that
had a favor of its own and differed in
many respects as to detail from that
done in New York, where the settlers
had Dutch background, which was
different from the English background
OF New England. The Colonial style OF
Pennsylvania is characterized by Sturdi-
ness and solidity. Most of the build
ings were of brick or stone, and the
detail was not so delicate as that Of
New England.
@. What is the scum which appears
on top Of barrel of pickles. A. p.
A. 1t is made up of yeast, molds and
bacteria which, If allowed to remain,
attack and break down the vegetables
beneath.