Evening star., 1936-08-15
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

question OF fact by tDrtttng The EUentnu
Star Information Bureau. Frederic J.
Haskin, Director, Washington. D. C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. Has the Norris Dam power plant
been finished?-H. r.
A. The Tennessee Valley Authority
announced on August 1, 1886, that Norris
Dam and power house has been placed
in operation.
@. Are more people near-sighted or
far-sighted?-M. B. S.
A. An optician reports that the aver
age majority of people are far-sighted,
the ratio probably being 60-40.
@. When did the number of automo-
biles in the United States reach one
million?-C. B.
A. In 1912. In 1916 the production Of
one million cars in one year was first
accomplished.
@. When did Contract Bridge first be-
come popular in the United States2
L. S.
A. Although some people had been
playing Contract for several years, it was
in the Summer of 1926 that it became
popular in Newport and Southampton.
In the Fall New York City adopted the
game.
@. Why is an informer called stool
pigeon?-H. T.
A. A stool pigeon is one used to decoy
other pigeons into net. The analogy
is apparent.
@. With what meats is wild rice served?
IN. N.
A. 1t can be served with any meat.
Since it is rather expensive, it is not in
ordinary use, but is considered particu-
larly appropriate with wild duck, fowl
and game.
@. At what age are babies usually
christened?-A. D.
A. Usually when they are from to
months old.
@. How many cars pass over Key
Bridge in Washington, D. c., in a given
length of time?-M w.
A. A count was taken for six hours,
in which time 3,803 cars crossed it. The
peak hour was 8:15 to els am, when
$40 cars crossed.
@. When did the South first vote
Solidly Democratic in a presidential
election?-G. N.
A. The first united Southern Demo-
cratic vote supported the candidacy of
Gen. Hancock in the election of 1880.
O. How many civilians have been f1n-
gerprinted by the Department of JUS
tice?-M. B.
A. Since the establishment of the civil
Identification section in 1888 more than
10000 men and women have had their
fingerprints recorded.
@. Please give some information about
Lionel Stander. who played in Mr.. Deeds
Goes to Town.'-K. F.
A. Lionel Stander ran away from home
at the age of IA and for five years
worked as lifeguard. cab driver, tile set
ter, Office boy, reporter and bank clerk.
He took up acting after he had lost his
job through losing package of valuable
bonds. His first important screen role
was in THE Scoundrel." Subsequently
he has played in We're in the Money"
Page Miss Glory" "If You Could Only
Cook" and Meet Nero Wolfe
@. How much money was given to the
University of Rochester by the late
George Eastman?-R. w.
A. The camera manufacturer began his
gifts in 1902 and had contributed over
$50,000,0 900 to the university.
@. Was the Rock of Gibraltar ever
connected with Africa? What is its his
tory?-G. E. P.
A. 1t is believed that it was, probably
in the Pliocene period. The rock was
known to the ancients, who spoke of it
as the Pillars of Hercules During the
Middle Ages it was held by the Span
iards. In 1704 1t was captured by
combined Dutch and English force and
eventually taken possession of for the
English crown by the British admiral.
The treaty of Utrecht Q713 ceded it to
Great Britain. The most important event
in its subsequent history is the famous
siege of 3 years months IL days from
1779 to 1888 by the Spaniards.
G. Have all the explorers who opened
King Tut's tomb died as a result of O
curse?-H. L. S.
A. The belief that these persons died
| as a result of curse is not seriously
accepted. OF the 40 directly connected
with the opening of the tomb, only seven
have died, two as result of lifelong frail
health, two of old age, one of disease
contracted during his travels, and one
possibly by his own hand.
c. How long were Indian head pennies
coined?-S. B. H.
A. They were first coined in 1859 and
were coined continuously until 1909 when
the design was changed to the one that
is being used at the present time.
@. Is there an award other than the
| Newbery Medal for children'S literature?
F. H.
| A. The Julia Ellsworth Ford Founda-
ton is for the encouragement of origi-
nality and imagination in children'S lit
erature and offers prizes for the best
manuscripts. The address of the or
ganization is 737 H. w. Hellman Build
ing, Los Angeles, Calf.
@. Of what denomination will the
| Susan B. Anthony postage stamp be2
| M. p.
A. 1t will be Scent stamp 1t will
be placed on sale in Washington, D. c.,
August 26, 1886. 1t will be available else
where as soon as possible after this date.