Evening star., 1932-10-11

Thousands OF Government experts
are working constantly for the benefit
Of all citizens OF the United States.
They will work directly for you II you
will use our Washington Bureau. This
newspaper employs Mr.. Haskin to act
as an agent for its readers. He will
take your matter to the proper author
ity. State your inquiry briefly, write
clearly and inclosing 3-cent stamp for
personal letter in reply. address The
Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washing
ton, D. c.
@. What percentage Of the receipts
Of an average motion picture theater
goes for film rentals?-M. L.
A. There is such q wide variation
that an estimate Is Of little value. Per-
haps rs per cent would be near the
| average.
@. Did the Civil Service Commits
sion discontinue giving competitive ex-
aminations for appointment to the
Naval Academy and Military Academy?
A. The Civil Service Commission
planned to discontinue these examina-
tions because Of reduced appropriations,
but by executive order the examina-
tions will be given as before.
@. How much merchandise is sold
under private brands?-H. r.
A. More than $3.50 900 600 worth of
merchandise was sold in 1880 by 276
chain-store systems under their private
labels.
@. When Is Indian Summer?-M. w.
A. Indian Summer Is q name ap-
piled to a short season Of pleasant
weather which occurs in the Central
and Atlantic Coast States usually dur
| ing October and November.
@. Is there a contemporary mem
ber OF the Adams family of Massachu-
sets named John Quincy Adams?-
L. K.
A. John Quincy Adams is a noted
artist and portrait painter Of Vienna.
He was born in Vienna, where his
| father, Charles Runney Adams, was a
tenor Of the Royal Court Opera. The
boy was brought back to Massachusetts
as child, but returned to Vienna at the
age Of IA and has lived there since
with the exception OF visit to the
United States in 1880. He has attained
great distinction as painter OF royalty
and genre subjects. His works hang
/ III cOIIlc Vi Tic BICdI kdAcllCo VI 6U-
rope. He Is now about so.
@. Is the use of the comic strip In
advertising a new idea?-W. F.
A. Not particularly. 1t has been
done for at least 20 years, and adver-
| tisements Of this character may have
| appeared earlier.
Q. Who are some famous musical
prodigies?-P. D.
A. Wolfgang Mozart at the age of S
years was the first Of long line OF
| precocious geniuses. In recent times
| the following demonstrated startling
| musical ability at very early ages
Josef Hofmann, Jascha HeifetZ, Mischa
! Elman. Hubermann. Won Vecsey, Ye-
hudi Menuhin, Gottfried Wieland Wag-
ner grandson of Richard Wagner and
great-grandson Of Franz Liszt) and
Oskar Shumsky.
@. How many ships went through
the Panama Canal last year?-W. H.
A. The total number Of commercial
vessels going through the Canal in 1881
was 1872. the total revenue amounting
to S22,530,82oS4.
O. Are smuggled diamonds which
are confscated afterward sold?-Y. A. R.
A. Struggled diamonds and other
goods conhscated by the Government
are sold at auction at the various ports
of entry. Before a sale takes place il
is advertised in the newspapers and a
catalogue is published. In New York
there is such sale about twice year.
The dates are variable but are usually
in March or April and October.
| O. Where was Bert Williams, the
Negro comedian, born?-R. H. w.
A. He was born on the Island OF