Evening star., 1932-10-22
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Ire; What is the pauper's oath'-M.
A. The paupsr's oath is one which is
permitted to persons undergoing bank
ruptcy, and in some other cases, where
by on the giving OF a statement sup
ported by oath that the person is with
out any available assets either person.
ally owned or in expectation, he may be
released from the payment Of certain
obligations and permitted to re-establish
himself on a solid financial foundation
free from debt.
9. What is the value of the Vatican
and its contentS?-B. 4. L.
A. No attempt has been. or can be
made to assess properly the value Of the
Vatican, its grounds, buildings and con-
tents. Many millions of dollars, If not
hundreds OF millions, are included IN
paintings alone, and many Of the sculp-
lures are absolutely priceless. The Vat
ican covers 10 acres and includes over
100 rooms many of which exceed IN
size large modern churches OF chapels.
The manuscript department Of the IL
brary is said to be the largest and finest
in the entire world and to be absolutely
without price.
@. Why is port wine different from
other yines?-R. McC.
A. 1t owes its special character part
ly to the soil of the district where it IS
grown. partly to the climate. which Is
cold in Winter and very hot in Sum
mer.
O. How long have there been free
public schools?-M. N.
A. The idea of a free public school
maintained entirely at municipal or
state expense and altogether under State
and secular control is a modern de-
| velopment which was not realized until
the nineteenth century. A system to be
truly democratic must have certain
/ characteristics, and it may fairly be
| claimed that the American public school
system has now reached the stage where
| all of the ends have been attained. In
Germany, France, and until recently, in
England, public education has not been,
ana Is not even now, generally free. since
though most Of the expenses have been
met from public or institutional sources,
each pupil, unless he Is a pauper, has
had to pay school fees.
| G. What power has the President in
changing the tariff?-J. W. L.
/ A. As the tariff law was finally passed
it provides that the Tariff Commissions
reports shall be made only TO the Pres
ioent and shall specify the increases and
/ decreases necessary to eQualize costs of
production. No duty may be increased
or decreased more than so per cent.
No transfers may be made to or from
the free list. The President may pro-
claim the recommended changes or not,
as he chooses. No limit is placed on
the time within which he may make
such proclamation. The chief change
from the flexible provision of the 1922
act is that responsibility for revision Of
rates is placed definitely on the Tariff
Commission-that is, the President no
longer has the right to determine, fol-
lowing recommendation Of the commits
sion, the amount by which the duty
shall be changed within the so per cent
range. He must either accept or reject
the specific rate recommended.
@. Is more electric power for public
use generated by fuel or water power?-
E. N. H.
A. Power for public use in the United
States is generated in approximately
3,75l central stations About so per
cent Of the total output is generated
from fuel and the remainder from
water.
@. Can compensation and insurance
Claims of World War veterans be liti-
gated?-F. S. A.
A. The Veterans Administration says
that compensation claims may not be
htgated. The judgment of the admins
traitor is final. Insurance claims can be
litigated under section 10 of the World
I War veterans act. However. if a vet
eran is dissatisfied With the regional
rating boards decision. he may appeal
the case to the Board of Review at the
Administrative Board of Appeals. in
Washington, D. C. The time limit for
appealing the case is one year from the
cate of filing claim