Evening star., 1933-09-01
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

This newspaper puts at your disposal
q corps Of trained researchers in Wash
ington who will answer questions for
you. They have access to the Govern
ment departments. the Libraries. mu-
seums, galleries and public buildings
and to the numerous associations whicn
maintain headquarters in the Nations
Capital. If they can be of assistance
to you, write your question plainly, and
send with cents in coin or stamps.
Do not use post cards. Address The
Evening Star Information Bureau
Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washing
ton, D. G.
@. Please give some facts about the
play festivals at the famous old opera
house in Central City, Colo.-L. D.
A. The opera house at this once
famous gold mining camp was built in
1878 and financed entirely by popular
subscription. With the cessation of
mining activities it was closed and fell
into ruin. In 1881 1t was presented to
Denver University as a tribute to the
pioneer men and women of Colorado.
The Central City Opera House Associa-
ton was formed and after rehabilita
ton, involving a cost Of $3.50 900, the
opera house was opened IN 1882 for the
first play festival with Lillian Gish in
Camille" This Summer Robert Ed
mond Jones. who is to direct activities
at Central City for five year., presented
The Merry Widow" with Natalie Hall,
Gladys Swarthout Richard Bonelli and
Frederic Worlock in the cast and Mack
lin Marrow as musical director.
O. What was Alb Jenkins speed rec
ord on the Great Salt Desert and what
car did he use?-F. o. S.
A. On circular course on the Great
Salt Desert near Salduro, Utah. Jenkins
averaged ll7.9 miles an hour for three
thousand miles. During the run, which
was made in a Pierce Arrow II, he
reached top speed of 1891 miles per
hour.
@. What is the origin of community
singing in the Uniteo States?-G. C.
A The community chorus movement
in the United States was launched in
Rochester, N. Y, in 1912 by Harry
Barnhart, a xinger, musician, conduc-
tor, and pupil of Maestro Cortezze
and Verdi. For some time while in
vaudeville feature of Mr.. Barnharts
act had been to get the audience to
join in the chorus of his songs Dis
covering that everybody wanted to sing
and could under proper direction he
determined to develop the idea While
in Rochester he secured permission from
the mayor to appear With the municipal
band in Convention Hall and have the
people sing. The audience responded
enthusiastically and there was formed
the f1rSt community chorus.
@ What organization conferred the
title of captain on President Roosevelt?
"A. K
A. The Boston Marine Society con-
ferred this title on President Roose-
yacht Amberjack II along the New Eng
land Coast in heavy weather. Founded
in l742, this society is the Oldest of its
kind.
O. How many Tarzan books has Ed
gar Rice Burroughs written and how
many are sold?-W F.
A Edgar Rice Burroughs has been
writing Tarzan books for twenty years
and has produced thirty-eight titles.
Eight million copies have been sold in
the English versions alone They ap-
pear in sixteen other languages.
@. How many men are employed in
American shipping?-W. L. K.
4. According to a survey by the
American Steamship Owners Associa-
ton, about 200 900 men are employed by
the shipping industry aboard ship, on
harbor craft or in the Offices of the
lines.
@. When were tanks first so called?
IT w.
A. The name tank was first used in