Evening star., 1938-06-01
ANSWERS'TO
QUESTIONS
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

question OF fGct by Urtttng The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Frederic
J. Haskin, Director, Washington. D. C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. What are the largest and smallest
mammals?-S. w. j.
A. The sulphur bottom whale, which
exceeds 100 tons, and the Italian shrew
weighing less than an ounce.
@. Who was the first person in the
United States to receive medical de-
gree?-F. C. r,
ferred on Robert Tucker by Kings Col
lege (now Columbia University In ITO.
j. w. H.
A. AS of January /, 1898, the number
Of radio families is estimated at 26,-
$685. 500, or 80 per cent of the estimated
number of families in the United States.
@. How much unemployment COM
pensation is being paid to the jobless in
this country?-W. F. q.
A. During the first four months of
1888 nearly $105,000,00O In unemploy-
ment benefits was paid to insured job
less workers in Is States.
@. Are there race tracks in Puerto
Rico?-C. r.
A. The island has two horse race
tracks and new dog racing track Is un-
der reconstruction.
@. Is Joan of Arcs home still In exis-
tence?-J. H. w.
A. The house where she was born still
stands at Domremy in Eastern France.
Nearby are the Chenu woods where the
voices called her to her patriotic mission.
The dungeon at Rouen, where she spent
her last days, Is also still in existence.
Q. Is there good biography Of Som
erset Vaughan, who wrote "Of Human
Bondage"?-S. H. w.
A. THE Summing Up," his latest
book Is biographical. 1t is published by
Doubleday, Doran.
@. What is the latest movie to receive
the medal given by the Parents Maya
zine?-J. D. H.
A. The June, 1888, award was made to
"The Adventures of Robin Hood"
@. Was there a Star Theater in New
York City about 1880?-L. c.
A. There was a Star Theater In New
York City in the 1880s, located at 842
Broadway.
@. What is the significance Of the
word "cappella" as applied to a cap
pella choirs?-G. A. K.
A. The word "cappella" originally re-
ferred to a mantle worn by st. Martin.
Later the word was associated with a
church. The expression, "a cappella," as
applied to choir refers to the fact that
the singers do not have instrumental
accompaniment.
@. How many safe hits can be made in
single inning of baseball game be-
fore three men are retired without a
single run being scored?-K. r. M.
A. The Baseball Magazine says: "a
club can make six hits in single inning
without scoring run. Here's how: The
first batter up singles and Is caught
stretching 1t into a double. So does
the second batter. The third, fourth
and fifth batters each hit short singles,
making five hits for the inning and
filling the bases with two out. The next
batted ball. He gets credit for a hit.
but the runner is automatically retired.
Thus you have six hits in one inning
without a score"
Q. Can any bird fly backward?-E.
H. w.
A. Hummingbirds can not only flv
backward, but are capable of remaining
practically in one place in the air.
Q. Does the President have any con-
troll over gold?-J. r.
A. The Gold Control Act empowered
the President to administer the gold
fund OF the United States and, by execu-
tive oroer or proclamation, he may de-
eide whether it shall remain sterilized
or out of use, whether 1t may be ex-
ported. used to redeem currency or be
changed in value.
O. What is the farm income from to-
bacco?-J. H. G.
"A. Farm income from tobacco in the
United States in 1887 amounted to an
proximately $4,000, 900, the largest for
any year since 1919.
q. Please give some information about
Capt. Mary Greene, the seamboat pilotP
w. M. F.
A. Capt. Mary Greene was born at
Hills, Ohio, in 1868. She was married
to the late Gordon c. Greene, founder
OF the Greene Line Steamers, and under
his training became a first-class pilot
and master. In 1904, on the maiden
voyage of the Greenland, she commando
ed the steamer from Pittsburgh to the
Worlds Fair at st. Louis, a distance of
l,zO0 miles. Capt. Greene and her three
sons are now in charge of the business
and there are six steel steamers on the
Ohio and Mississippi carrying the
Greene Line flag.
Q. What is the law as to the number
OF relatives who can be employed in
the civil service OF the United states2-
j. v. 8.
"A. Section 0 of the Civil Service Act
says: Whenever there are already two
or more members of q family in the
public service in the grades covered bv
this act, no other member Of the family
Shall be eligible to any Of said grades.
Answers to Questions.
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