Evening star., 1936-02-29
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
By Frederic J. Haskin.

ny FFederic J. HGskin.
A reader can get the cnsUer to ann
question of fact by ipritino The Epenino
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J,
HGstin, Director. Washington, d. C..
Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. Is New York City to have a free
port?-H. NJ
A. Federal sanction has been given
New York City to operate the first for
eign trade zone or free port in the United
States. The city will spend S4,60o 900 on
facilities for the free port.
@. Does Kentucky have a sales tax?
B. S.
A. A sales tax of per cent was in
effect in Kentucky, but at the last cleo
ton the electorate dictated its repeal,
The tax was the principal issue of the
election.
@. What is the minimum fare on the
Queen Mary and on the Normandie?
H. L.
A. The minimum fare on both vessels
Is 1858.
@. Are colored people buried next to
white in Arlington Cemetery?-W. A. w.
A. The colored and white members of
the military service have separate sec
tions in Arlington Cemetery.
@. When are the six-day bicycle races
In New York?-H G.
A. They began on February % at
Madison Square Garden.
@. What makes the Soldiers Memorial
Tower in Kansas City, Mo, look at night
as though a fire were burning on the
top? Is this steam or smoke?-C. I'D.
A. The curator of the Liberty Memorial
says that the Flame of Inspiration from
the censer atop the Liberty Memorial
shaft is steam, colored by electric light,
which gives very realistic fire effect.
Quoting a London writer after seeing it,
THE illusion is finer than the real would
be-"
@. How many hours OF leisure time
does the average young person in the
United States have?-G. A. B.
A. Cornell University says that a Ma
tion-wide study shows that five and
one-half hours day is the average
amount of leisure time reported by per-
sons from Is to 25 years of age.
@. How are United States coins pol
ished when they are minted?-C. S.
A. The finish on United States coins
is due to the fact that they are stamped
with highly polished well-made dies.
These dies are so smooth that there is
no necessity for subsequent treatment
of the coins to polish them.
@. How long did Peter the Great rule
Russia?-H. T.
A. He ruled SO years from 1872 II
1725 1t was during his reign that Russia
made great progress in Western culture.
@. Is there an animal called the adju-
tant?-F. G.
A. The adjutant Qeptoptilus) is very
large land bird of the stork family. so
named from its measured walk, which
at times resembles that of self-im-
portant army officer.
@. What famous Roman was ploWlng
when informed. that he had been made
dictator?-E. H. r.
A. Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus about
460 BIC. was chosen consul and two years
later was made dictator. When the
messengers from Rome arrived to tell
him of his new dignity they found him
plowing on his small farm. After die
tatorship of Is days, he returned to his
simple life, but was again made dictator
at the age of 80.
q What was Boris Karloff's first sue
cess?-G. r.
A. Mr.. Karloff first attracted wide
notice when he appeared in The Grim
inal Code" in which he played the part
of killer in penitentiary. When the
play was made into movie he was
given the same part.
@. How much of the earth's surface
is now covered with forests?-S. G.
A. Today the worlds forests cover
about 1900 900 acres, or about one
fifth of the earths land area. 1t is
hardly possible to conceive OF an area
of that magnitude, but some OF this So
called forest in reality is composed OF
brush and low scrubby timber such as
grows in the Arctic Circle.
@. Is a grounded steel roof protec-
tion against lightning?-W. F.
A. The National Bureau OF STANDARDS
saws that grounded steel roofing Is
effective protection if there are no pro-
jections above the roof.
@. What proof is whisky when 1t Is
put in the barrel to age?-J. l..
A. Whisky generally goes into the
barrel at lis to 120 proof. During aging,
alcohol is lost more rapidly than water,
so after the expiration OF four years
the whisky is from los to llo proof
@ Is Mussolini on diet?-L. II.
A He eats very little except milk and
fruit. For breakfast he has coffee and
fruit. at lunch, broth and fruit, and at
night only fruit. Sometimes a small
amount of fish is served at his meals.
He neither drinks nor smokes.
@. Are Christmas gifts displayed and
sold in Soviet Russia?-S. E.
A. Christmas observance is against the
law. Russian stores are prohibited from
selling Christmas toys and displaying
Yuletide articles.
@, How many lead pencils are used IN
the United States in one years.. b.
A. The consumption is about one
billion.
Hats in the Rings.