Evening star., 1934-02-28

@. Does The Netherlands have capi-
tai punishment?-E. c. M.
A. In 1870 capital punishment Was
abolished by The Netherlands gov
ernment and life imprisonment Is now
the extreme penalty.
@. Why are Pullman berths made
up with the pillows toward the en-
gine?-G. C. M.
A. First, it drives the air currents
toward the feet and this keeps the
head and uncovered parts Of the body
out of the drafts. Second, the mo-
ton Of the train is supposed to have
some effect upon the circulation Of
the blood and by moving headfore-
most the blood is sent away from the
head and toward the feet, which aids
sleeping.
Q. How far above the Equator is the
Southern Cross visible?-W. v. T.
A. The Southern Cross Is visible
over all the Southern Hemisphere and
in the Northern Hemisphere up to
about latitude 25' N. In this latitude
it is visible for a short time every
night during the first five months Of
the year. On the Equator it is visible
all through the year except the last
part of September and the first part
Of October.
Q. How many immigrants arrived in
this country last year?-B. D.
A. In 1888, 23,899 immigrants en-
tered the TTy,ifod Sfofa~
@. Why are some medical questions
answered, while others are out of your
f1eld?-J. S.
A. Questions regarding the history
OF medicine, names OF hospitals,
established facts about diseases, and
the like, can be answered because
these facts can be ascertained by a
layman. Medical diagnoses and ad-
vice Is strictly in the professional field
and should not be given by any one
outside. Questions within the scope
OF an information service are care
fully answered by researchers trained
to this work. Send your questions to
this newspapers Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, director, Wash
ington, D. C. Inclose coin or stamp
for reply postage.
@. What per cent of the people of
the United States carry life insur-
ance?-R. B.
a. While the exact percentage Is
not known, approximately $4,000, 900
persons carry life insurance This fig
ure would approximate so per cent of
the population.
O. Can a member Of the British
Parliament resign his seat?-H. C.
A. He cannot But, II he accepts
an office Of profit under the crown,
he Is obliged to be reelected in order
to stay in Parliament So 1t has
come about that person who wishes
to resign applies for the stewardship
OF Chiltern Hundreds or some similar
office which carries no active work
and a small emolument.
Q. Where is the worlds tallest
tree?-F. A.
A. The American Forestry Associa-
ton says that according to its record
Of November. 1881. the worlds tallest
tree is giant redwood (Sequoia SEM
pervirens) 1854 feet high, at North
Dyerville Flats, near Dyerville, Hum
boldt County. Calf, which has been
dedicated to the founders Of Save the
Redwoods League-Mr. John c. Mer-
riam OF the Carnegie Institution Of
Washington, DR.. Henry Fairfield o.
born of the American Museum Of
Natural History, and Mr.. Madison
Grant.
@. Is there a strong tide in the
Mediterra Sea?-R. N. r.
A. Very little tide is perceptible
in the greater part of the Mediter-
ranean Sea, although In some places,
such as the Ionian Sea, the Adriatic
Sea, and on parts of the African
coast. there is rise of more than
feet.
@, Is 1t true that the Forty-niners