Evening star., 1932-06-30
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

When troublesome questions arise
avail yourself Of the service of this de-
partment. II costs you nothing. You
have only to send cents for postage
on the personal letter you will receive
in reply Any question on any subject
OF fact will be answered. Address your
letter Of inquiry TO The Evening Star
Information Bureau, Frederic j. Haskin,
Director, Washington, D. c.
@. When will the first returns come
in under the new tax law?-M. S.
A. The new taxes were effective as Of
the beginning Of business June 81, 1892,
except the tax on theater ticket brokers.
which became effective June 6 at 5
pm, and the tax on electrical energy,
which became effective June %. The
first returns to be rendered will cover
the period from the effective date to
June 80. These returns must be filed
and tax paid on or before July 81. Each
month thereafter returns and taxes for
the preceding months business must be
sent in.
@. Have the major parties ever adopt
ed anti-prohibition planks?-P. F.
A. In 1872 the Republican party
adopted plank declaring opposition to
III NS lOI lAlt pun pOoC O1 IEulONl4lk GNtls
by interference with the rights not sur
rendered by the people to either the
State or the National Government.
This was generally regarded as an anti
prohibition plank. In 1884 the Demo-
cratic party adopted a plank reading
/ I'VE oppose sumptuary laws which vex
the citizens and interfere with individ-
ual liberty
@. Does John D. Rockefeller, jr., look
like his father?-T. K. L.
A. He has the long head, the broad
brow and strong nose Of his famous
parent, but there the likeness ends. He
is a man of medium height and square
build The thin, tight lips of the elder
Rockefeller are not part of the sons
countenance.
@. When are gold and silver coins
considered mutilated?-A. B.
A. Gold coins are mutilated when so
punched, clipped, Clipped or otherwise
defaced as to result in any loss of
metal. Silver coins are mutilated when
so punched. clipped, Clipped or other
wise mutilated as to be appreciably re-
duced in weight, or when SO defaced as
| to be not readily and clearly identified
as to genuineness and denomination.
Q. Can snakes bite and breathe under
water?-E. z.
A. Snakes do breathe under water
and the Biological Survey says that it
Is possible for a swimming snake to
strike swimming man. It is said that
the cottonmouth snake strikes in the
water. There are species Of sea snakes
that strike only when in the water.
Q. What is the range of salaries of
commissioned officers in the Navy?-
G. E.
A. Pay Of commissioned officers be-
low the grade of rear admiral ranges
from 81 800 TO $4,000 year, according
to length Of service.
Q: Who comprised the lake poets?-
A. The Edinburgh Review so named
Wordsworth, Coleridge and Shelley.
@. Where was the Crystal Palace in
New York City?-E. E. B.
A. It was located in Bryant Park,
which occupies a tract Of from five to
six acres in the west half of the tract
extending from Fortieth to Forty-second
streets on Sixth avenue It was opened
In 1858 and destroyed by fire in 1858.
@. How can return postage be sent
to a correspondent in Europe?-H.C. M.
A. United States stamps are not good
on mail from foreign countries to the
United States. In order to send return
postage it IS necessary to use an inter-
national reply coupon, which may be
secured from the post ONCE.
@. What are the rules for displaying