Evening star., 1938-05-13
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS ,
By FREDERIC J. HASKlN.

By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.
reader can get the ans,per to any
question OF fact by urtting The Eve-
ming Star Information Bureau, Frederic
J. Hasetn, Director. Washington, D. c.
Please inclose stomp for reply
@. Did the ancient Romans use
theater tickets?-C. G.
A. About go BIC. the Roman theater
tickets were flat bone pieces called
tesserae, on each Of which was marked:
Praeclnctio I, II, etc. (this referred to
row.. cuneus I. II, ETC.. Chis referred to
division and seat number) The divisions
were somewhat wedge shaped, as they
were sections Of the semi-circle forming
the amphitheater. These were often
separated by stairways, to make access
to the seats easier.
@. When was the first periodical called
a magazine &c. H. L.
A. The first periodical to use the title
was the Gentleman's Magazine, founded
in 1871 at London by Edward Cave.
Q, What musician has the most re-
markable memory?-E. G.
A. Among contemporary musical lead
ers. the eminent conductor, Arturo Tos-
canini, probably has the most phenom-
enal memory. He not only conducts
but rehearses without notes more than
60 operas and several hundred symphonic
scores.
@. What is the caloric value Of sugar?
S. w. G.
A. Sugar provides 1875 calories of
food value per pound.
Q. Why did early New England settlers
have a type of architecture known as
salt box?-G. c. w
A. At that time salt as a household
commodity was sold in boxes in the
shape Of an oolong square. The plan
was simple and met their needs so the
salt box type of house had it's origin
O. Are the girls who carry the Vassar
daisy chain selected on account of pop
ularity?-E. W.
A. They are chosen by a committee
OF seniors on the basis of beauty.
@. How many miles of air route are
operated by Pan American Airways?-
j. H. G.
A. Pan American Airways has in oper-
alton 45,546 miles of air routes, serving
A countries and colonies.
O. What is the name of the organiza-
tion that is working on the publication
OF the air to prevent industrial diseases?
&C. w. L.
A SC ho -
OF America. Inc, with headquarters at
Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh
@. Is there censorship of the press in
Nationalist Spain?-E. H. G.
A. A new press law gives the minister
OF interior direct supervision over the
organization and control of the press.
Under his jurisdiction will be national
press service with provincial branches
empowered to regulate the number and
distribution of newspapers, to advise in
the selection of editorial staffs and to
censor all matter for publication.
Q. How do War Armiral and Sea-
biscuit compare in size?-H. B.
A. War Admiral and Seabiscuit weigh
l,O4O pounds each. In height War
Admiral is one-quarter of an inch taller.
measuring Is hands, 2ls inches. while
SeablScuit measures Is hands, Is inches.
Q. What is anhedonia?-L. w. R.,
A. 1t is the inability to become inter-
eSted in anything; the incapacity for
happiness.
@. Who is Lisa Sergio?-V. C.
A. She is one of the few woman radio
announcers in the world. Formerly an
archeologist, she became interested in
radio through her friendship with Sena-
tor Marconl. In Europe she became the
first woman radio commentator and was
known as the Golden Voice of Rome.
She was visiting in this country at the
time of Marconl's death and her tribute
to the inventor in world broadcast
established her as a radio personality
in the United States.
O. What proportion of the songs that
are copyrighted become hits?-E. G. H.
A. 1t is estimated that between three
and four thousand new musical COM
positions are copyrighted monthly. OF
these. about so will have mediocre pop
ularity, while half dozen will become
hits.
Q. Was 1t William Randolph Hearst
or Arthur Brisbane who said that a
picture is worth a thousand words?-J.K K,
A. "a picture is worth thousand
words is an old Chinese proverb which
is often quoted by Mr.. Hearst.
@. Were gold tcothpicks ever used?
Il. D.
A. Among the Romans there were
toothpicks of gold, silver ivory and
ebony. The ladies and gentlemen at
the courts of the French kings had ivory
toothpicks entwined with gold or silver
wire mesh. The royal toothpicks of gold
or ivory were set with rare jewels inlaid,
carved or enameled. These were carried
in exquisite cases of gold studded with
jewels. For some time in Europe it was
fashionable to wear a gold toothpick
hanging from heavy golden chain
around the neck. Sometimes they were
worn as ornaments behind the ear.
@. Do many people try to steal rides
on trains?-T. OBJ.
A. In 1887, approximately 100000
Illegal train riders and other trespassers
were elected monthly from railroad prop
erty.
O. What is the source of the quotation
about loving old friends, old books and
old wine?-H. L. B.
A." love everything that's old-old
friends, old times old manners, old
books, old wine" is from act I of "She