Evening star., 1932-07-26
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

This Is q special department devoted
to the handling of inquiries. You have
at your disposal an extensive organiza-
ton in Washington to serve you in any
capacity that relates to information
Write your question, your name and
your address clearly, and inclose cents
in coin or stamps for reply. Send to
| The Evening Star Information Bureau
Frederic ]. Haskin, Director, Washing
ton, d. c.
@. Who was the first base ball
player to steal base by sliding into the
bag?-A. M.
A. Robert Addy of Rockford, Ill, is
credited in 1856 with the first. although
some historians accord the honor to Ed
die Cuthbert of the Philadelphia Key
stones, saying he stole third In 1865.
@. What blood relation to Franklin
Roosevelt Is his wife?-L. v. L.
A. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt is the
niece of the late Theodore Roosevelt
and is therefore the fifth cousin once
removed of her husband, Franklin
Roosevelt. Her father. Elliott and
Theodore Roosevelt were fifth cousins
OF Franklin Roosevelt.
@. In China do automobiles use left
or right hand driving?-L. r.
A. In China the cars are driven
from the right side and the. rule Of the
road Is to the left.
Q. Please give the total cost of each
Government Departmental. r. B.
A. In 1881 they were as follows: De-
partment of Agriculture, 1926, 1865, ,944.6s
Department OF Commerce, $61,477,-
nf bo T~to
ST. 500, ,35920; Department of Justice,
$44, 1886, ,00316; Department Of Labor,
SIP, ,181 1885, 81; Navy Department, 1884,
OH, ,00410: Post Office Department,
$145, ,725, ,91071; Department of State,
SIC. 1924, ,64648; Treasury Department,
81 46,850, ,037.49, and War Department,
$489, ,241 ,835.68.
@. How is the water prepared for
blowing soap bubbles so that the bubbles
have greater elasticity?-I. L. W.
A. Glycerin is usually added. To
1000 parts of water add IS parts white
hard soap and Is parts glycerin.
Q. To what officials is the title Hon
orable" applied?-J. j.,
A. In the United States the title
Is used loosely, being given by cour-
tesy to almost any one who holds
or who has held important public office.
1t Is especially bestowed on members
OF Congress, Governors, State legislators,
judges Of higher courts and high Fed
eral oflcials.
@. OF what were the original tiles
used in the floor of the east portico of
Mount Vernon made?-C. S.
A. These tiles were imported by Wash
mgton in 1885. They were Of a soft
sandstone.
@. How long has Finland been inter-
eSted in athletics?-M. G.
A. Organized gymnastics did not be-
come known in Finland until the late
70s OF the last century. The most popu-
lar branches Of athletics are skiing,
| long distance running and other track
| and field events and wrestling. Recent
ly rifle shooting and a game adapted
from American base ball have achieved
popularity.
Q: How is transportation paid for
mail going abroad?-V. B.
( A. II mail Is to be sent on ships the
Post Office Department pays for the
mail by the pound in bulk. For mail
being carried on privately-owned ships
1t pays 80 cents per pound for letters
and cents per pound for parcel post.
When such mail Is carried by foreign
ships 1t pays 263 cents per pound for
letters and 3.5 cents per pound for par