Evening star., 1935-11-02
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS

ANSWERS IO
QUESTIONS
BY Frederic ]. Haskin.
reader can get the nnsUer to anu
question OF fact by Urittng The Washing.
ton Evening Star Information Bureau.
Frederic J. Hdsktn, Director, Washing
ton, D. c. Please inclose stamp for replv.
@. How many people visited national
parks last Summer?-A. T.
A. About 100000 persons.
Q. What are frijoleS?-J. M.
A. In Mexico and the Spanish-Ameri-
can countries any cultivated bean of the
genus PhaseoluS is called by that name.
In particular it refers to the small fiat
black bean, which ranks next to maize
in Importance as an article of diet and
is an ingredient of many dishes. 1t is
probably OF South American origin.
@. How long has the term military in
telligence been used?-T. N.
A. 1t came into use during the World
War to designate the work of securing
information concerning enemy activities.
1t included spy system in enemy ter
rltory, apprehending of enemy spies, the
lntercepting and DECIDING of enemy COM
munlcationS and other work of a secret
nature.
@. Who was the first person to make
the ascent Of Mont Blanc?-T. T.
A. A guide named Balmat made the
first ascent in 1885.
@. Where is the Lake District in Eng
land?-M. F.
A. This region of beautiful mountain
and lake scenery is in Cumberland,
WeStmorland and Lancashire. 1t is
about 30 miles in diameter and includes
part of FurneSS Peninsula and Coniston
Water. Ullswater, Derwentwater, Butter
mere, Windermere, GraSmere, Crummock
Water, Ennerdale, several beautiful
falls and some of Englands highest
peaks.
@. What is fantasia?-M r.
A. 1t is a musical composition which
or theme. but is freely constructed ac-
cording to the composers fancy. Ex-
ampleS of fantasia are found in the
works of Bach. Brahms, Schumann and
other composers. The term is also ap-
piled to medleys of popular airs.
@. What is erbum?-E L.
A. A rare metallic element With
other metals of the rare earths to which
group it belongs, it is present in the
mineral garolinite occurring in Sweden.
1t is combined with oxygen in a rose
colored oxide, erbia and with other ele-
mentS in a number of similarly colored
salts. Discovery Of the element 1843)
is credited to MoSander. 1t has no COM
mercial use.
@. What is the derivation of the word
MeSsiah?-W. T.
A. 1t is from the Hebrew Mashiakh,
meaning an anointed one
@. Who was the first Governor of
Vermont?-R D.
A. Thomas Chittenden He was Gov
ernor from 1778 to 1889 and from 1890
until his death in 1897.
@. Where is Grub street?-T G.
A This was street in London, not
far west of Finsburg Circus. 1t was once
famous as the residence of poor authors
and journalists. Since 1880 it has been
named Milton street.
@. Is Edward johnson interested In
engaging young American singers for
the Metropolitan Opera COW. N.
A. The new general manager is re-
ported as being especially on the look
out for young Americans singing in opera
in Europe under assumed names. Two
more young singers of American birth
have been engaged for the main Metro
politan season-Charles Kullmann, tenor,
and Suzanne Fisher, soprano
@. Just before Lincoln produced the
Emancipation Proclamation during
cabinet meeting he read aloud an anus
ing story. Two men present did not
laugh. Who were they?-T. M. S.
A Stanton and Chase.
@. What is hackmatack?-J. H. G.
A, This is a popular name for the
American larch.
@. What is stainless steel made OFF,
j. K.
A. Stainless steel is the term applied
to chromium steelS of varying chromium
contents and also to chrom- nickel Steels.
@. What is the origin of the term
Indian Summer?-W. Meg.
A. Mr.. Albert Matthews has shown
that the expression Indian Summer does
not occur anywhere either in printed
books or manuscripts until the year 1894;
but at that time it was in use through
out the Atlantic States. The popular
belief that Indian Summer weather was
predicted by the native Indians in con-
verSaton with the first European settlers
finds no documentary corroboration. and
the idea that the term Indian Summer
was employed by the early settlers seems
to be a myth In general. neither this
term nor anything corresponding to it
is to be found in any Indian language.
The term Indian Summer in its present
usage was introduced into England from
America. In 1778 Horace Walpole used
the same expression. but he evidently
had in mind the intense heats of the
Midsummer weather in India and the
West Indies.