Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-17
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY Frederic J. H0skin.

A reader can get the GnsUer to any
question OF fact by iDritino The Washing
ton EUenfno Star Information Bureau
Frederic j. HdSkin, Director, Washing
ton, d. c. Please inclose stamp for reply
Q. Could a person skate On glass with
Ice skates?-G. w.
A. Technically, one does not skate on
Ice, but rather upon thin film of water
which Is melted from the ice by the
pressure OF the skates. At Temperatures
OF about 40 below zero it would be i'm
possible to skate, as this film of water
cannot form under the skate blade at
the reduced temperature. Since no film
whatever could exist between glass and
the skate runner. and also since the glass
Is at least as hard as the blade, the
skater could not get bite" with his
blade with which to push himself for
ward.
@. About how long and wide is the
| typical Venetian gondola?-H. D.
A. The average in size is 80 feet long
| and feet wide.
@. How can playing cards be cleanedP
j. z.
A. They can be improved to a certain
extent with spirits of camphor. Apply
this sparingly to piece Of cotton and
wipe each side Of the card. Then polish
| the card with clean cotton.
@. What is meant by gumbo soil7-
&c.
A. The term is popularity applied in
the Western United States to very
| heavy, fine-grained soil rich in soluble
salts and practically devoid of sand.
Water percolates through 1t with diff
Guilty and it is soapy or waxy when wet.
@. Has gasoline ever been solidifed?-
G. c.
A. Solene, the invention Of DR..
| Adolph Prussin, is solid gasoline which
has been developed as fuel for airplane
and auto engines. 1t is said to be nom
| explosive.
@. Please give directions for removing
| coffee stain from cupS-W. B.
A A solution of salt and vinegar will
| remove the stain.
@. Why is the League Of Nations par
! ticularly concerned in averting war in
| Ethiopia?-A. B. w.
| A. The central idea Of the League Of
Nations was the outlawry Of war. The
League, under the covenant was
clothed with police powers to enforce
| peace. These included the granting of
| permission for or the sanctioning OF
exceptions to the general rule. In
cases involving national honor or ex-
| IRENE provocation, the League Of Ma
tons may sanction offensive action.
Such action may be military, but the
| general theory is that the economic boy
colt should be employed. This would
! include the severing of diplomatic and
| trade relations and the withholding of
| financial support. In the absence of
| League sanction. 1t is the theory that
the League should call upon all It's men,
Der nations to boycott any offending
nation.
@. How many bands are there in the
United States?-G. M.
A. Edwin Frankie Goldman says that
there are probably more than $4,000
bands in the country.
@. Are any Of the children of Queen
Victoria of England hving2-I. P. D.
A. Two are living. They are the Duke
Of Connaught and the Princess Beatrice
mother of former Queen Victoria of
Spain.
@. Who organized the Big Sister
movement for helping young girls?-
Ell.
A. 1t was organized In 1909 by Mrs.
w. K. Vanderbilt.
@. Is Claude Hopkins. the orchestra
leader of the Cotton Club, white man
or Negro?-R. T.
A. He is colored and a native Of
Washington, D. C. His featured vocalist
is man named Orlando Robson.
@. Is there any definite ratio be-
tween a persons annual income and
what he should consider paying for
home he wishes to buy?-W. M. G.
A. One expert says that a home
should not cost more than three times
ones annual income, and that one who
wishes to buy a house should have
saved for a down payment from Is to
80 per cent of the cost of the property.
@. How many jumps are taken in the
| Grand National Steeplechase?-E. P.
A. There are 80 jumps One of them
| is a water jump Is feet in breadth. There
are also two brooks. This race was in
stituted in 1889.
O. Are the Ethiopians a tail racer
| A. T..
A. They average under the stature Of
| the American type but the Emperors
band has a drum major who stands Z
feet tall.
Q. How much bile is secreted by the
| liver?-D. F.
A. The liver secretes from Is to 80
ounces of this fluid daily.
@. What was Basil Kings first novel7
p. j.
A. "Griselda." which appeared In 1900.
Q. Who were the parents of Edmund
Kean, the English actor?-J. c. D.
"A. His parentage is uncertain. al
| though evidence is strongest in favor
of Edmund Kean. a surveyors clerk.
and Ann Carey, one of company Of
strolling players.