Evening star., 1935-07-11
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY Frederic ]. Haskin.

A reader can get the lnSDer to any
question of fact by tOTittng The Washing
ton EUening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic J. HdSkin, Director, Washing
ton, d. C. Please incIoSe stamp for reply
@. Have many Federal laws been held
unconstitutional?-F. T.
A. OF the 24,016 public acts and resolu-
tions enacted by Congress in 146 years
of legislative history only SO have been
held unconstitutional, in whole or in
part, by Supreme Court decisions.
Q. What substitute does Russia have
for Sunday?-J. C.
A. In Russia at the present time every
sixth day is rest day. For the most
part, this falls on the same day, but in
some industries which operate contin-
uously the workers days of rest vary.
@. How many islands are there in the
Bermuda group?-S. E. D.
A. 1t consists Of about $50 islands.
Only six are of Importance. Many are
rocky islets, uninhabited and unnamed.
@. In the early years of the Cambridge
CMassD Press, how many books did it
turn out each year?-L. H.
A. In 1889 the FreemanS Oath and an
almanack, were printed. The next year
came the Bay Psalm Book, and a book
appeared yearly for the next 81 years.
@. What kind Of liquor is Berlin
Spirit?-H. w.
A. 1t is coarse whisky, made chiefly
of beet root, potatoes, etc. Because of
its cheapneSS it is largely used in the
making of brandy and for mixing with
weak wines.
@. Why was Lily Langtry the actress
called the Jersey Lily?-G. L.
A. She was born on the island of Jer-
sey, and Millais gave this title TO the
portrait OF her which he painted
@. How is a lanolin made?-C K
A. Lanolin is a fatty substance OBJ
tained from the grease of sleeps wool
and consisting chiefly of choleStrin. The
wool grease is saponifed by means of
cauStiC soda and the resulting emulsion
is diluted with water The lanolin then
separates into fine particles. which, by
the aid of a centrifugal separator, may
be obtained in creamy mass. 1t is
widely used as a base in salveS and
ointments since it does not become ran
cid and is somewhat antiseptic.
G. What weight does the golden eagle
attain?-S B.
A. In the United States the golden
eagle rarely attainS a weight of more
than 10 or II pounds. The female is
slightly heavier than the male. The
same species in India sometimes shows
a weight of 16 pounds for adults.
@. What was the last honor bestowed
by Queen Victoria?-G. T.
A. The earldom and the Garter. con-
ferred upon Lord Roberts January 2,
1901
@. Where is Ethiopia?-J. A. NJ.
A. Ethiopia is the present official
name for the empire in Northeast Africa
which was formerly called Abyssinia.
Q. How many physicians are there in
Canada?-H. n.
A. The American Medical Association
lists 10,o07. In the United States there
are about l61 900.
@. Is it possible to see the wind? If
so, hoW?-E. c. A.
A. The Weather Bureau says that TO
see the wind. hold any fiat, smooth sur
face having a straight edge a straight
backed hand saw is excellent for this
purpoSe) against the wind but inclined
to the vertical with the straight edge
uppermoSt and leaning with the wind,
then sight along this straight upper
edge toward white object. If the wind
is moderately strong one will see it pour
ing over the straight edge like water
over dam. This phenomenon is owing
to irregular densities in the air, which in
turn cause irregular refractions of the
transmitted light.
@. What is the instrument called
which is used to push food down the
esophagus of a choking or reluctant
animal?-R. C.
A. 1t is probang.
@. What was the full name of the en-
gineer who erected the Eiffel Tower?
"A. G.
A. Alexandra Gustave Eiffel.
@. On what day of the month was
Beethoven born?-E. B.
A. 1t is not definitely known. He was
baptized on December II. ITO, and it is
assumed that he was born on the pre-
ceding day.
@. Please tell something of the youth
of Maj L'Enfant, who planned the City
of WaShington.-A.P p. M.
A. Maj. Pierre Charles LEnfant was
born in Paris August 2, 1854, the son
of an academician who was painter in
ordinary to the King in his manufacture
of the gobelins," with turn for land
scape and especially for battles. Trained
as a French military engineer, young
L'Enfant at the sage of % obtained
commission as volunteer lieutenant in
the French colonial troops, serving at
his own expense. He preceded Lafayette
TO America by month, arriving in 1777,
Whereupon he entered the Continental
Army at his own expense.
@. Was there famous tavern called
The Mitre?-L. M.
A. This was tavern III London, where
DR.. Samuel johnson, Boswell and other
celebrities met. 1t stood on Fleet street.
@. Please give some information about
D;or,e Cbonol ROctO0 IT F I,