Evening star., 1936-08-07
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.
A reader cGn get the nnsUef to any
question OF fact by tDrittng The Euening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Hdsksn, Director, Washington. D. C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q. Does reading the newspapers in
crease ones vocabulary2-J. H.
A. According to DR.. Frank Vizetelly,
noted photographer, the newspaper Is
one OF the most powerful factors In in
creasing the average persons vocabulary.
Q. How many Americans are living in
Spain?-P. M.
A. About 1,450 were living in Spain
and the Canary Islands before the
present disturbance.
@. Who will be in charge of American
exhibits at the 1887 International Ex-
hibition in PARISH. A.
A. The Honorable Frederick A. ster-
ling, United States Minister to Bulgaria,
has been nominated by President Roose-
welt, commissioner Of the American sec
ton Of the 1887 International Exhibi-
tion in Paris.
Q. What is the area Of New York
City?-J. T.
A. The total area is S0Ss6 square
miles. It's extreme length, north and
south, is 36 miles, and extreme width
161z miles.
@. What is punkah?-D. D.
A. In the East Indies it means fan
of any kind. 1t is applied particularly
to a swinging screen hung from the
ceiling 1t is made of cloth stretched
on a rectangular frame, and kept in
motion by servant or by mechanical
means.
@. What are the provisions under
which crippled child may enter the
hospitals maintained by the Shriners?-
E. L. g.
A. Crippled children are admitted re-
gardlesS OF creed, race or fraternal af-
f1liations, provided they are under Il
years of age and their parents are un-
able to finance proper treatment.
O. In what States is limestone quar-
ried?-A. w.
A. Building limestone occurs In i'm
portant quantities in Alabama. Indiana,
Kentucky. Minnesota and Texas.
O. How early were there Federal laws
concerning birth control?-J. H.
A. The Federal law of 1873 classified
contraceptive literature and instruments
with pornographic literature and obscene
devices, and prohibited their importa-
tion and their transportation by mail or
Tin interstate commerce. by common
carriers.
O. How long did George Washington
live at Mount Vernon?-J. j.
A. 1t was his home for So years. There
were many years. Of course, when he
was seldom there.
O. How many small white canvas caps
were sold during the fad for this head
gear several years ago?-P. r.
A. Concerning the extent of the 25-
cent white-cap fad of the Summer Of
1882, Hat Life says that it has an esti-
mate published just after the decline Of
that fad which set its duration as 25
days and the total number of caps sold
at 100000.
O. How many refugees have been
cared for by the Nansen Ofice?-H. D.
A. The League of Nations Association
says that the Nansen Office has cared
for 100000 to 100000 Russians. 240000
Armenians. 1000 Assyrians, $50 Turks
and 5000 to 1000 from the Saar.
@. Do any of the States have Official
trees?-M. B.
A. Five States have State trees, but
only four of them have been officially
adopted. The State tree of Rhode Island
is the maple; of Illinois. the native oak;
Of Texas the pecan; of Indiana, the tulip
tree, and of Pennsylvania, the hemlock.
| The public school children of Rhode
Island selected the tree for that State;
others listed were chosen by the State
Legislature.
@. What university Is conducting a
clinic for driving tests?-H. K.
A. The Harvard Bureau of Street
Traffic Research Is giving a series of
tests in the Museum of Science and In
dustry in Rockefeller Center, New York
City. Tests are for steering, brake re-
action time, speed estimation. color
| blindness. susceptibility to headlight
| glare, and hearing. So far about 10000
| men and women have taken these.
@. Please give the dates Of any folk
| festivals that will be held this Summer.
e. w.
A. PennSylvania's folk festival was
| held at Bucknell University, Lewisburg,
| July 80 to August 1. The White Top
Mountain Festival, near Marian, Va, is
scheduled for August IA and IS.
@. How old are the famous physicians.
! the Mayo brothers?-R. w.
A. DR.. William J. Mayo Is rs, while
DR.. Charles H. Mayo Is II.
@. Who is the biggest speculator Of all
time in this country?-F. r.
A. Probably the late Arthur w. Cutten.
multimillionaire grain speculator Of Chi
cago, might be SO called. He was de-
scribed by a Government counsel as
"the greatest speculator this country
has ever known" During boom days his
wealth was estimated between $50,000,-
900 and $100000,000. Reputed to have
lost $29, ,000,0 900 in 1929, he recouped by
selling short in the grain pit.
@. What is considered the forerunner
| of the Declaration of Independence?-
C. M.
A. The Plan Of Union presented by
| Benjamin Franklin before the Albany