Evening star., 1933-07-05

q. How long have taps OF . similar
ceremony been performed at The grave
Of soldier?-E. H. G.
A. It Is impossible to say exactly
when the custom of sounding a farewell
note over deceased soldier, or the
firing Of volleys, originated. The an
c1ent Romans, at the burial of military
citizens, gathered around the bier and
called the dead three times by name,
after which the word vale (farewelD
was pronounced and the ceremony con-
cluded. This would appear to be the
origin Of the three salutes. Taps is
the bugle call for lights out, or the
last action Of the day, and corresponds
to the farewell. The precise call origi-
mated in the United States, but Is pa
ralleled by the English Last Post and
the Retratte Of France.
9; What is meant by dunking?-
A.. This term is applied to the
moistening or softening of Zwiebacks,
cakes, crackers and bread crusts in
coffee, tea or milk. While 1t is not
considered good form, it is greatly en-
joyed by small children and old people
whose teeth are no longer strong enough
to cope with such hard substances.
Q. How many insurance companies.
other than life, are there in the United
States?-S. w.
A. Fire and marine, casualty and
surety companies licensed to do busi-
ness in the United States total about
1850.
-, { g a. How W long has pottery been
A. Proof Of its great antiquity Is
found in the fact that gracefully form
ed f1ctile ware was produced In Egypt
before the potter's wheel was known,
some pieces being painted by hand.
Over 1000 years before Christ clay
vessels were covered with hard glass
glaze.
@. How are safes made resistant TO
acetylene torches?-E. F. S.
A. Modern safes which are con-
structed to resist the xy-acetylene cut
ting blow-pipe are made OF ferrous
alloys which, although they can be
heated by the gas flame TO their melt
ing point, cannot be cut, like steel. by
the application Of stream OF pure
oxygen. 1t is essential that the walls
and doors Of such safes be Of con-
siderable thickness. The walls. roof
and floor are lined with steel and flame
resisting alloy so that a self-contained
safe exists inside the concrete shell.
@. How much does Buster Crabbe,
the swimming champion, veigh?-E.
j. C.
A. He weighs 100 pounds and is
feet inch tall.
@. Are the mounted inspectors Of the
customs service on the Mexican border
under civil service?-H. J. r.
A. An executive order issued June,
1882. brought the mounted inspectors
Of the customs service on the Mexican
border into the classified civil service.
@. How was Liberia colonized?-
W. B.
A. Liberia was acquired by the
American Colonization Society, founded
in 1917 for the purpose of cCloniZing
free blacks from the United States.
The first company OF colonists was sent
out in February, 1920, on the Elizabeth.
During the next IS years 4500 more
coloniSts were sent over by the society
and auxiliary organizations. The Gov
eminent of the United States was IA
vorable to the enterprise and at times
gave active assistance.
@. What are the Trossachs?-G. NJ.
A. 1t is the name given TO the wood
ed defle of Perthshire. Scotland,
which SCOTS Lady of the Lake has
made one Of the places Of pilgrimage
of the world.
@. Was the late Lillian Leitzel,
aerialist, maried?-E. B.
A. She was the wife of Alfredo
Codona. famous aerialist. one OF the few
men who have ever performed a triple
somersault in the air.