Evening star., 1939-06-21
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Haskin.

o1 cICuCf u y. x1uSEEH.
4 reader can get the ansUer to any
question OF fact by lDrtting The EDe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HGskin, Director, Washinoton,
d. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. How many tons Of water Is I inch
OF rainfall over / acre?-F. j. S.
A. One inch of rainfall represents
about 113 tons Of water per acre.
@. Is the American robin the same as
the English robin?-N. D.
A. 1t is not The bird we commonly
call robin Is a true thrush. The robin of
England is small bird about one-third
the size of ours. The two are superb
cially alike only in having red breast.
@. What percentage of those eligible
to vote in the United States actually go
to the polls in an ordinary national elec-
tion?-W. w.
A. The percentage Of the eligible
voters actually voting declined more or
less steadily from about 86 per cent in
1895 to less than 81 per cent in 1920 and
1924, but turned upward to about 675
per cent in 1928 and 10 per cent in 1882.
1t has been estimated that about As per
cent of the total population of the
United States was eligible to vote in
1886. Probably about IS per cent of those
eligible actually voted.
@. Please give some information on
the proper way to clean paint brushes
j. w.
A. Paint brushes should always be
cleaned before being put away. Hard
ened brushes may be soaked in raw lin
seed oil for "a hours and then placed in
pot of benzine. After this, work the
bristles until they are separated when
the paint will soften so that it will wash
out. Ordinary fiber brushes may be
soaked in laundry soda water until soft
and then washed clean with soap and
water.
@. Is any legal procedure necessary in
assuming pen or professional name?-
L. T. C.
A. There is no legal procedure which
OAAS Se'AA eohC III d
@. How many trees were distributed by
the Government last year?-I F.
A. According to report of the Forest
Service, total of 55,359728 trees were
distributed during the calendar year
1888 The young trees used are seed
lings and transplants which farmers can
plant at the rate of 500 to 1000 per day.
@. Please tell me what became OF
Frank James, the brother of jesse. F.
A. After the death of Jesse James,
Frank James was tried and acquitted.
1t is believed that he moved to ST. Louis
He died a natural death in 1915.
@. Who is the author of the song The
Bells of st. Mary's"?-E. H. B.
A. The Bells of st. Mary's" was COM
posed by Emmett Adams The words
are by Douglas Furber. 1t was pub.
hshed in London in 1919
O. Kindly tell me how they figure
weight distribution on a racing car
H. W.
A. The Contest Board of the American
Automobile Association says that the
amount of weight on the front wheels
OF racing car should be about equal
to the amount of weight on the rear
wheels The weight on the wheels is
measured by running the two front
wheels on scale and then by running
the two rear wheels on a scale
q 1c IL kpnu-r, y1,I,i of
works was his favorite?-V. M.
A. Joan of Arc" was the authors
favorite work
@. What are the rates on radio tele-
phone conversation from New York to
London?-R. S. A.
A. The rates for long g-distance tele-
phone Calls between New York and
London are as follows: During the day,
s21 for first three minutes and ST for
each additional minute. Evening rates,
SIS for first three minutes and IS for
each additional minute.
@. Will you please tell me what wheat
germ is?-N. E. C.
A. Wheat germ is a cereal containing,
as do practically all cereals, 26 per cent
protein, 80 per cent carbohydrates and
liz per cent fat Such cereals are
completely and rapidly digested.
Q. Has the steamship Titanic ever
been salvaged?-C. o. w.
A. The Titanic collided with an Ice
berg and sank April Is, 1912. She was
never salvaged because she sank in a
place where the depth of the ocean is
estimated at 1850 feet. Several COM
panies have considered salvaging the
vessel but the expense is so great that
no attempts have been made to raise
the ship.
O. Will you inform me d. to the loca-
ton Of the Federal transient camps?-
L. N. G..
A. There are no longer any transient
camps financed by the Federal Gov
ernment. There are w. P. A. work camps
but IN order to become a member of one
OF these 1t is necessary to secure a posi-
ton with the Works Progress Admin
istration as these camps are only estab-
hshed when necessary for the completion
Of project.
u. How can obtain a map that is up-
to-date with developments in Europe?-
r. E. NJ