Evening star., 1932-05-12
ANSWERS To QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIE.

Did you ever write a letter to Fred
erick j. Haskin? You can ask him any
question of fact and get the answer in
a personal letter. Here Is q great edu-
cational idea introduced into the lives
Of the most intelligent people in the
world-American newspaper readers.
1t Is q part of that best purpose of a
newspaper-service. There is no charge
except cents in coin or stamps for re-
turn postage. Address Frederic j.
Haskin, Director, The Evening Star In
formation Bureau, Washington, D. c.
@. How long does it take a ball to
reach the plate when the pitcher re-
leases it?-M. B.
A Frank @. Menke says that Mark
Koenig, while with the New York Yam
KEGS went to West Point, N. Y, and, in
making speed test with base ball, be-
fore Army officers, threw it at the rate
of $50 feet per second on May %, 1890.
Based on this, pitcher can throw a
ball from the mound to the plate $50
feet inches in about Us of second.
Q. What do the dates 17s2-1so2 in
circle of stars mean? They are in
the floor Of the White House?-L. P. T.
A. They designate that the White
House was built in 1892 and was re-
modelled in 1902. These dates are cir
cumscribed by the seal Of the President
of the United States.
@. Please settle the question as to
whether a salad plate goes to the right
or left Of the dinner plate?-B. w.
A. There is no arbitrary rule in re-
gard to the matter. In fact, certain
well established writer's on etiquette say
that 1t is quite permissible to shift the
salad plate from one side to another If
the side at which 1t is served does not
prove to be as convenient to the person
dining as the other side.
@. Please give the history of Ad-
miral Byrd's ship, the City of New
York?-C. S. M.
A. Admiral Byrd in the National
Geographic says: I'VE searched the
world for the best ship, and located the
stocky bark, which we renamed the City
of New York. in Norway. Since 1885
this 512-ton vessel has been weathering
rough seas and the polar regions. Her
hull Is wedge-shaped, enabling her to
rise when the ice clutches her in its
tremendous pressure. 1t is reinforced
with timbers "a inches thick. I know
OF no other ship with sides that thick. "
Q. What was the date of the erup-
tion of Mont Pelee early in this CEN
tury?--T. w. K.
A. There were two eruptions of
Mont Pelee in 1902, on May and on
August 80.
@. Are joint accounts permitted for
postal savings?-E. D.
A. The Post Office Department says
that postal savings can be placed only
under one name. Joint accounts are
not permitted.
O. What is meant by a collateral de-
scendant?-E. M
A. A descendant who Is not hneal
descendant One whose line of descent
is traced from the brother or the sister
Of the ancestor of certain person who.
in turn. has a common ancestor whom
he shares with the collateral descend
ant.
@. OF what material is the Arlington
Memorial Bridge built?-H. F.
A. 1t is granite. The part below the
water line is from Stone Mountain,
Ca, while that which is visible is from
Mount Airy, N. C.
@. Who invented the raised printing
for the blind?-J. w H
A. The Braille system of writing for
the blind was invented by Louis Braille,
a Frenchman, who lived from
l609-1852 He was blind almost from
birth and attended the Institute
for the Blind at Paris, where he
became teacher in 1928. He
was at this institution when he