Evening star., 1932-11-04
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASRIN.

Stop minute and think about this
fact: You can ask our information
bureau any question Of fact and get the
answer back in a personal letter. 1t is
great educational idea, introduced ip-c
the lives OF the most intelligent people
in the world-American newspaper
readers. 1t is a part Of that best pur-
pose OF a newSpaper-service. There is
no charge except cents in coin or
stamps for return postage. Do not use
post cards. Get the habit of asking
questions. Address your letter to The
Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, Director, Washing
ton. D. C.
@. What is the record time between
New York and Washington by automo-
bile?-T. c.
A. No races over public highways are
given recognition by the Contest Board
of the American Automobile Association
or reputable organizations. Such races
are considered a menace TO public safety
and are therefore discouraged.
O. Has there ever been a movement
toward abolishing the electoral college?
M. 7.
A There have been several motions
in the House and Senate looking for a
change in the system Of electing a
President. one as early as 1903 In
1868 motion was made for the direct
election Of President, again in 1874 and
1877. President Jackson included a
recommendation for the abolishment of
the electoral college and direct vote for
the President in each Of his annual
messages to Congress from 1929 to 1886.
@ Hasn't blue coal been adopted and
trade marked by one company?-P. S.
A. While blue coal was employed for
certain purposes some years ago. it is
nov trade-marked as an identification
of the coal Of the Glen Alden Co.
G. What is the origin Of the express
sion by the great horn spoon *.
o. l..
A Authorities differ in regard to the
origin of the expression, but the Cook
Museum of Natural History has spoons
made from the horns Of big-hOrn sheep
in its collection, and it seems probable
that the expression was evolved from
the horn ladies which were in common
use by the Sioux and other tribes be-
fore trade utensils from the whites were
available.
@ During the Mardi Gras on which
day does the parade take place?-P. D.
A. There are five parades, one on
each day of the fete.
@ What is the name of the heavy
wood which cannot be split?-N. 7.
A. Owing to the diagonal and oblique
arrangement of the successive layers Of
its fibers lignum vitae cannot be split
On account Of its hardness. durability
and density it is much valued for the
manufacture of ships pulleys, rulers,
skittle balls, mallets and similar articles
@. Does the widow Of a United States
Senator get Government pension?-
NJ. S.
A. 1t is customary to allow TO the
widow Of a Senator years salary. No
pension or annuity Of any kind is paid.
@. Where is Myles Standish buried?
e. R
A. Last year the bones Of Myles
Standish we're taken from their wooden
coffin. placed in a metal one, and then
reburled in the cemetery at Duxbury,
Mass.
@. Please give a short biography Of
Elizabeth MADDOX Roberts, author o.
The Time Of Man."-E. L.
A. Elizabeth MADDOX Roberts was born
in 1885 at Perryville. near Springfield
KY, and attended the University OF
Chicago, where she received her Pm. B.
in 1921. AS an undergraduate she