Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-11
ANSWERS no QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Agriculture been on the market?-L. T.
A. Red-squill powder was placed on
the American market in 1926. 1t has
been found eficacious and has the
added recommendation of being rela-
lively harmless to human beings and
domestic animals.
@. Would a tank full Of compressed
air be more buoyant than tank con-
tanning air at normal pressure?-H. B.
A. Air has weight. When air Is COM
pressed, the weight Is increased. Filling
a tank with compressed air makes 1t
heavier and less buoyant.
@. Please give biography Of Olive
Palmer.-O. A. NJ.
A. Virginia Earle Murphy (Olive
Palmer) was born in Louisville, KY.
She made her debut as singer at the
age of 5, singing in a church concert In
Louisville. While her family opposed
her ambition to become professional
singer, she was given an excellent musi-
cal education. After graduation from
Western university she studied music
for two years in Paris and Milan. De-
Ginning on offer to join the Paris Opera
Company, she returned to America. In
1919 she heard that series of operate
revivalS was planned in New York. She
then was IN her home in Kentucky.
Instead of taking the first train TO New
York she called the impresario on long
distance telephone, asked for q job,
sang for him over the phone, and was
engaged. She subsequently, toured the
United States and later toured Europe
In series of concerts. When broad
casting came to the forefront Miss
Palmer, remembering her telephone au-
dition, sought work in the radio studios.
She has been radio artist for more
than six years.
@. What percentage Of gross sales
can drug stores afford to pay for rent?
w. S. N.
A. The Department of Commerce
says that for all drug stores the per-
| centage runs from 1855 to ABS Of gross
sales as rental allowance. The range
! of figures represents the variance on
account of geographical position and
volume Of business transacted.
i @. Are people in automobiles likely
to be struck by lightning2-E. L. S.
A. The Bureau of Standards says
that the fact that automobiles are sup
| ported on rubber tires would probably
have no appreciate effect on the prob
ability of the automobiles being struck
by lightning. Likewise, the wetting Of
the automobiles by rain would probably
produce no appreciable effect. The in
CAOoutC CnSCJcQ ny bllG huUOLuODO6S
would probably afford some degree Of
protection to persons within. Persons
within conducting inclosure are safe
against lightning The automobile
body, although the Enclosure Is in a
large measure effected by glass, ap-
proaches this condition.
@. What is the origin Of the name
Argyle?-A. H.
A. 1t is derived from two GaeIic
words, "airer gaidheal," meaning district
of the Gaels.
| @. What weapons were used In the
Battle of Chalons?-A. w. p.
A. 1t was fought near Chalons-Sllr-
Marine, France, in 451 AID. The
weapons used were swords, stone
headed axes, javelins and arrows. The
attacking army first used arrows, next
spears, and finally engaged in hand-to-
hand combat with the enemy.
@. Was Beethoven deaf at the time
| Of his death?-S. G.
A. Beethoven was hard of hearing as
early as his thirtieth year, and was
totally deaf for years before his death.
When dying his last words were, IT
shall hear now"