Evening star., 1938-04-23
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKlN.

A reader can get the ansuer to dny
question OF fact by tDritino The Euentns
Star Information Bur.au. Frederic J.
Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C.
Please tnclose stamp TOR reply.
q. Have any talking movies ever been
made for the blind?-J. M.
A. The first motion picture to ba
Transcribed for the blind is talking book
version of Disneys Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs." 1t has been prepared
by the American Foundation for the
Blind and will be issued shortly to the
regional libraries throughout the country
which have talking book divisions.
Q. Where did Tombstone, Ariz, get its
name?-F. H.
A. In 1878 valuable mine was discov.
cred in Arizona by Edward schiehelin.
Before leaving to prospect IN the noun.
tairls he was advised not to go because
all he would find would be his tombstone.
So he named the mine the Tombstone,
which later became the camp name.
@. What Is an aeroplane called In
France?-A r.
A. The French word for aeroplane Is
avion.
@. What is Talleyrand's definition OF
good cup of coffee?-M. P.
A. Black as The devil, hot as hell, sweet
as love and pure as an angel.
@. How long did slavery last In mod.
ern nations?-L. G. w.
pr;t
South Africa in 1884 but the decree was
only partly effective, the Beers keeping
their slaves and capturing more for sew
eral years afterward. American slaves
were emancipated during the Civil War,
1862. While Brazil emancipated slaves
in 1871, those who were infants at the
time were required to remain in slavery
until they were 81. There still Is an
active slave trade in Africa.
@. Are many deaths caused by COL
isions between bicycles and automobiles?
&C. M.
A. According to the Metropolitan Life
Insurance Co., estimates place the num-
Der Of such deaths at approximately 700
in the years 1886 and 1887, respectively.
@. How long has Helen Hayes played
In Victoria Regina "?-L. G. H.
A. The opening performance was in
New York on December 26. 1885 After
a period of rest, Miss Hayes started on
a road tour of the show in the fall Of
1887. during which she has played in
so cities and rs States.
@. Who said that rich men are owned
by their property?-J K
A. Robert g. Ingersoll said. Pew rich
men own their property. The property
owns them"
@ What college had the first course in
optometry?-EW.
A. The first college course in optometry
was inaugurated by Columbia University
in 1910.
@. Please describe the great Halifax
Harbor explosion OF 19l7-S L. NJ
A. The explosion in Halifax Harbor
occurred on December 6, 1917 It was
caused by the collision of two ships, one
carrying a cargo Of war munitions. The
north end of the city and Dartmouth on
the east side of the harbor were devas-
tated Besides 1l58 dead and 1000 in.
jured, 10000 were rendered homeless
Some 1900 buildings were destroyed and
10000 damaged. The city area ruined
was about 325 acres The property loss
was estimated at s50000,00O.
@. What is the significance Of the
colors in the flag of 1reland?-H F. G.
A. The flag of Ireland (Eire). formerly
the Irish Free State, has three vertical
stripes, green. white and orange. The
green stands for the Catholics, the orange
for the Protestants and the white for
the permanent peace invoked between
them.
@. Who are the guardians OF the
Dionne quintuplets?-J. L.
A. The chldrens' Board OF Guardians
consists of DR.. Allen r. Dafoe, Percy D.
Wilson, official guardian OF minor chill
dren for Ontario; Judge j. A. Valin Of
North Bay and their father, Olivia Dionne.
@. What is the origin of the words
wop and Dago?-L. B.
A. The word "wop' is shortened from
"wapparousa." a Sicilian localism vari-
ously translated as a good for nothing
fellow or fellow who is boastful, talk
ative and chesty. The term "Dago' is
a corruption of the Spanish Diego"
equivalent to the English name James
\ or Jack. The term was formerly applied
by sailors to Spaniards, Portuguese and
Italians in general. Other authorities
believe that the word is merely COR
ruption Of the nickname derived from
"Hidalgo," formerly used OF any foreigner
from Latin Europe.
@. How does one get to be hostess or
guide at Williamsburg, VAIL. M.
A. The hostesses are selected from
local women. In addition to certain
qualifications such as appearance and
general education, they must be thor
oughly familiar with the history of
Colonial Virginia and be able to answer
any questions that are asked about the
various homes, buildings and historic
characters.
Speed Enough Then.