Evening star., 1934-02-12

their Government does for them.
Readers Of The Evening Star can draw
on all Government activities through
our free information service. The
worlds greatest libraries, laboratories
and experimental stations are at their
command. Ask any question Of fact
and 1t will be answered, free, by mail
direct to you. Inclose coin or stamps
for reply postage. Do not use post
cards. Address The Evening Star In
formation Bureau, Frederic j. Has
kin, Director, Washington, D. G.
@. Has the name Of Mexico City
been changed?-T. A. B.
A. The Mexican government on
September 2, 1888, advised all nations
that the naIlo Of Mexico City had
been changed TO Mexico, D. F. The
initials stand for distrito federal.
@. Why isn't cottonseed oil suitable
for painting purposes?-M. c.
A. The Bureau Of Standards says
that the most commonly used chem
ical characteristic which distinguishes
q semi-drytng oil, such as cottonSeed
oil, from a drying oil Is the iodine
number, which is lower for cottonseed
than for unSeed oil. The drying oils
contain a greater proportion Of the
glycertdes of unSaturated fatty acids,
such as linoleic and linolenic acids.
@. How far is Mount Vesuvius from
Naples?-C. G.
A. About 10 miles.
@. What is the salary of the Presi-
dent Of France?-B. W.
A. He receives an annual salary Of
1,800,0 900 francs-about S72, ,000-with
as much more for household expenses,
travelling, and other outlays Of office.
@. Was the Dead Sea higher at one
time than it is now?-A. G.
A. The surface level of the Dead
Sea, which has a seasonal variation
of from 10 feet to IS feet, lies about
1900 feet below that Of the Mediter-
ranean, and is the lowest sheet of
water on the earth's crust. There is
evidence that the water in the Dead
Sea once stood as much as 1,180 feet
above the present level and at another
subsequent period it was only 378 feet
higher than now. During the last
forty years 1t seems to have been ris-
ing slightly.
@. Who is the foremost singer OF
the colored race?-W. M B.
A. Roland w. Hayes is considered
to be the foremost singer Of the COL
ored race and one of the leading ten
ors of America. He has a voice of
great natural sweetness, purity, and
range. He has spent several years in
Europe, where he secured a veritable
triumph, especially in England, France,
Germany and Austria. The 1924
Spingarn Medal was awarded to him.
Q. Who owns the Island of sakha-
nn?-H. B.
A. The Island Of Sakhalin is situat-
ed of the southeast coast Of Siberia,
U. S. 8. r. The fiftieth parallel of
latitude divides it into two almost
equal portions-the north portion
called Sakhalin belonging to the U. s.
S. R., and the south portion called
Karafuto belonging to Japan.
@. Where is Anne Hathaway's cot
tage?-E. w.
A Anne Hathaway's cottage Is g
little more than mile from STRAIT
ford-on-Avon, England. Leading to
it is walk along which tradition says
that Shakespeare passed during his
days of courtsnip. 1t is a typical
thatched English cottage. Beside il
IS a little garden. In the principal
room on the ground floor is, unless
some change has recently been made
the settle upon which tradition says
Anne Hathaway and Shakespeare sat
during their days Of courting.
Q. Who invented biliards?-M. F
A. Comparatively little is known OF
the origin Of billiards. One book at
tributes it to the King Of Ireland in
the second century. 1t is generally
believed that Devigne, an artist, who
lived in the reign of Charles TX oi
France, gave form and rule to the
game. Other authorities believe bill