Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-12
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.


A reader cor get the answer to any
question OF fact By riting The Eps-
ming Star Information Bureau, Frederic
J. Haskin, Director. Washington, D, C.,
Please inclose stamp tor reply.
@. Please compare the records and
winnings of War Admiral and Seabis-
cult. G.
A. The records to date, according to
the Daily Racing Form. are as follows
War Admiral-Starts, l6; won. 10; sec
ond, 2; third, l; winnings, 1921 ,625 Sea-
b1scuit-Starts, II; won, q; second, IL;
third. H.; winnings s25l,l55.
@. Are there more city or rural mail
carriers?-L. H. w.
A. AS of July, 1887, there were 55o22
city carriers and 33,494 rural carriers.
Q. What was the first unemployment
and recovery measure put in force by
President RooSevelt?-W. G. H.
A. The Civilian Conservation Corps.
recommended to Congress on March 20.
1888, was the first unemployment and
national recovery organization initiated
by the President. 1t was also the first
to go into action. Legislation establish
ing the corps was passed on March 81
and signed by the President on the same
date.
@. Who was the first person to recog-
nize the genius of Walt Whitman
G. L. r.
A. In John Burroughs book, walt
Whitman, Poet and Person." published
in 1867, the naturalist was the first to
give adequate recognition to the poets
talent.
@. How many electric shavers are sold
in year,. M.
A. In 1887, 100000 dry shavers were
sold.
@. When did Sweet Alice, Ben Bolt"
become popular song?-T. w. R.
A. The poem. ben Bolt" by Thomas
Dunn English. was first published in the
New York Mirror on September 2, 1843.
1t was set to music adapted from an old
German melody by Nelson Kneass and
sung in a play called The Battle OF
Buena Vista" In 1894, George du Maur-
Ter used the song in his novel, "Trilby,"
and 1t became popular at once.
Q. In what country was pie-eating
once considered illegal?-W. j. H.
A. In Scotland Parliamentary decree
in 1888 stated that no one under the rank
of baron should eat pie.
@. When was Thomas Hickey executed
for his plot against Washington?-E.
B. D.
A. In the Writings of Washington
published by the George Washington
Bicentennial Commission. June %, l77G.
is given as the date OF the execution OF
Thomas Hickey.
@. What kind of oysters are used to
produce culture pearls?-C. M.
A. Culture pearls can be produced in
all pearl-bearing mollusks, as for in
stance. Australian and American pearl
oysters, the abalone, Pima and certain
fresh-Water mussels. No pearls can be
raised, however, in the edible oysters,
clans, scallops, sea mussels and other
mollusks the shells of which have no
lustrous nacre. Limy formations occa-
Sionally found attached to these shells
or inside the tissues have no value.
@. How many people in the United
States buy picture magazines2-K. P.
A. 1t is estimated that $4,000 900 cop
of picture magazines are purchase,
monthly.
Q. What Is the name OF the sister
ship of the Queen Mary?-J. K.
A. The superliner which will be
launched next fall will be called the
Queen Elizabeth.
Q. Where in North Carolina is the fire
that has been burning nearly $50 years?V
H. K. L.
A. The fire is in the cabin Of William
Morris, three miles from Saluda, N. c.
1t was laid lat years ago by his great
grandparents. John and Sarah Morris,
when they settled in the mountains
there. Each succeeding son has kept it
perpetually burning. Mr.. Morris, who
is the last of the family and a bachelor,
is now n years old. Neighbors have in
stituted movement to have the Ma
tional Park Service preserve the tradi-
ton.
Q. How many persons speak Breton?-
w. ]. H.
A. More than 100000 use Breton as
primary language. although they all
know French. resolution is now be-
fore the French Parliament to have
Breton taught as a secondary language
in the schools OF Brittany.
O. What is the Conscience FUND.-
r. R.
A. The conscience Fund" is a popu.
lar name referring to money received
from persons unknown at the Treasury
Department. 1t was opened with a con-
tributton of SIS IN 1911. Money received
for this fund is not carried on the books
OF the Treasury Department as such,
but is listed as miscellaneous receipts.
The amounts sent in range from two
cents from person who failed to put
stamp on letter when mailed, to sew
eral thousand dollars from persons who
smuggled goods into the United States
without paying import duty. Usually
the sums sent are small No special use
is made of the money 1t simply goes
into the general funds of the depart
ment.
IL1 No..