Evening star., 1933-03-02
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

The answers to questions printed here
each day are specimens picked from
the mass of inquiries handled by our
great information bureau maintained In
washington, d. c. This valuable serv-
ice k for the free use of the public.
Ask any question of fact you may want
to know and you viii get an immediate
reply. Write plainly and inclose 8
cents in coin or stamps for return
postage. Do not use post cards. Address
The Evening Star Information Bureau,
FEsderic J. Haskjn, Director. Washing
ton, d. c.
@. OF what value are movies In the
class room?-F. M.
A. Abraham Krasker, who conducts
q course in visual education manage
ment, states that this factor in edu-
cation not only uses to good advantage
what is new and best, but brings reality
into the class room and puts action into
teaching. 1t makes education more
accurate, more natural. and more
meaningful. Harvard. In connection
with the Carnegie Foundation. has
found sound movies especially valuable
in teaching natural science, and Prof.
Knowlton at Yale has discovered 1t has
limitless improvement to make on his
tory instruction"
@. What are the rules of order used
by Congress?-A. P.
A. The basis of the rules Of proceed
ure in both the Senate and House OF
Representatives Is Jefierson's Manual.
@. Has the United States favorable
balance II trade with Japan?-E. G.
A. Nineteen hundred and thirty-two
was the flrst time in history In which
this country had O favorable balance OF
trade with Japan. the excess Of ex-
ports being due largely to a substantial
decline In the value Of imports from
Japan, which was caused by decreases
in the price of raw silk and the fall in
the value Of the yen, according to an
oral statement by the Commerce De-
partment's Statistical Research Dtvi-
sion.
9. Why do some languages die out?
A. The death of a language is
caused by the decadence Of the people
using 1t. Conquest and settlement by
other peoples often change language
considerably or obliterate them.
@. Please name and locate the des-
erts In the United States.-A. D. L.
A. The most important deserts In
In the United States are as follows:
The Staked Plains or Llano Estacado of
Western Texas and Eastern New Mex
leo; the so-called Great American Des-
ert of Western Arizona, Eastern Cali
fornia, and Southern Utah and Ne
vada; the Painted Desert (really a part
Of the latter in Northern Arizona; and
the Mojave Desert Of South Central
California. These are not sheer deserts
in the sense that the Sahara is; that is,
COMPOSED Of nothing but sand. In all
Of the American deserts some form Of
plant and animal life exist.
@. On what merits is the Maltese
Cross given to the Marines serving
through the World War?-A. M w.
A. 1t Is awarded to all officers and
enlisted men of the Marine Corps who
served in France during the World War,
but who did not participate In any en-
gagement.
w. q Z. + 5. cocoa as rich as 'h0'0'a'e'-
A. 1t is not. Cocoa is the ground
cocoa bean from which part Of the oil
or fat has been extracted, and Is sold
in powdered form. Chocolate is the
ground cocoa bean, generally in cake
form, either sweetened or unsweetened.
@. What city ranks first in the man
ufacture Of iron and steel products In
the United States?-H. U.
A. Pittsburgh.
q. Should dinner napkin be en-
tirely unfolded when In use?-T. P.
A. The center fold should be left in
the napkin. It is then easier to keep
on the lap.
@. Can an alien who entered the
United States illegally ever secure nat
uralization papers?-J. Z.
A. II he did not enter the United
States before June 3. 1921, he may apply
to the immigration Bureau, Washington,
D. c., and have his arrival registered.
This will cost $40. He may then apply
for naturalization papers.
@. What is the amount Of the total
pay roll of the United States?- w.
D. P.
A. In January, 1892, a compilation
was made showing the total number of
civilian employees In the Government
service as 1872, ,460, and the number of