Evening star., 1939-09-12
Answers
To Questions
Bp Frederic J. H1Sktn.

~ - fSUC'N y. AHohTt.
reddeS can get the dnstDer to any
question OF fact by ,Driting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
d. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Q. How fast can Bob Feller throw q
ball?-J. D. H.
A. In test made with new machine
which measures the speed by means Of
photoelectric cells, Bob Feller threw q
ball at the rate Of about IS miles per
hour.
@. Why is signature called q John
Hancock?-C. H. L.
A. There, I guess King George will
be able to read that" was the remark
OF John Hancock on signing the Decla-
ration Of independence. His was the
flrst signature and it was written In so
bold hand that the expression John
Hancock" became the synonym for sig
nature.
@. How long have the Miss America
beauty contests been held at Atlantic
City?-H. P. H.
A. The Miss America pageant was In
augurated in Atlantic City in 1921 under
the sponsorship of the city government
and was continued annually until 1929,
when there was lapse of about five
years. 1t was revived in 1885 under the
Showmens Variety Jubilee OF Atlantic
City, an organization composed Of civic
and business, leaders of Atlantic City,
as well as the Philadelphia Variety
Club-a chapter Of national theatrical
and charitable organizations.
@. Is Gen. Robert E. Lee buried at Ar
hngton?-E. M.
A. The body of Gen. Robert E. Lee
rests in mausoleum in the Washington
and Lee University chapel beneath re-
cumbent figure Of the general executed
by Edward v. Valentine, a noted vir-
ginia sculptor.
O. Did Robert Louis Stevenson ever
write under any other name?-H. D. G.
A. He first published such adventure
tales as THE Black Arrow under the
pseudonym Of Capt. George North.
O. How many automobiles are there In
Washington, D. C.?-J. H. L.
A. AS Of August 10, 1899, the total
number Of motor vehicles registered in
the District of Columbia was 18l l,15O.
O. Was Jack sharkey in the Navy?-
r. j. R.
A. Jack Sharkey, whose real name is
Joseph Paul Cukoschay, served in the
Navy from 1920 to 1922 and from 1922
to 1924. Cukoschay was discharged at
Boston, February 20, 1924.
O. Who invented hthography?-M B.
A. Alois Senefelder was the inventor
Of nthography in 1893.
@. How is quicksand formed?-R. DC.
A. Quicksands usually occur on fiat
shores underlain by stiff clay or other
impervious materials. They appear to be
formed by the continued collection Of
water within the sand bank which Is
prevented from running of by the un-
DERIVING impervious layer. The grains
of quicksand have rounded surfaces.
Quicksand is Of very light weight. The
inflltrated water separates and lubri.
Gates the particles. rendering them un-
able to support a heavy weight.
Q. What is meant by Pd B. degree?-
L. r. H.
A. Bachelor of pedagogy.
@. How was Mussolini wounded in the
World War?-G. H.
A. He was ordered to fire a shell from
g trench mortar. The gun exploded,
killing four privates and wounding Mus
solini so severely that he was confined
to the hospital for seven months.
@. What is the total amount Of oil
that has been produced in the United
States?-E. L. j.
A. Since oil began to flow in 1859 from
Col. Edward L. brakes we'll at Titus
vile, Pa, the American petroleum in
dustry has produced more than 2l,0OO.-
00O,0 900 barrels OF petroleum, 81 per cent
of the worlds production. The industry
has also accumulated more than 17000,-
600, 900 barrels of oil in underground re-
serves, known to be recoverable.
@. Is it true that silkworm consumes
many times its own weight in mulberry
leaves?-K. H. j.
A. After the period of the fourth sleep,
the worms start their final feeding, which
lasts for 10 days, during which period !,
they consume about 20 times their own
weight Of mulberry leaves.
@. Describe the nest of the bald eagle.
e. R. S.
A. 1t is large structure Of sticks,
usually high in tree, occasionally on a
cliff. There is record of one nest IL
feet high by 81 feet across the top,
which was used continuously for 35
years. Ordinarily there are two eggs,
white with occasional slight markings
of buff. Incubation requires nearly .
month, and is performed by both par
ents. The eaglets stay in the nest for
10 weeks, cared for by the old birds
with great soicitude.
@. Is 1t possible to make plastics from
potatoes?-W. B. H.
A. According to the National Farm
Chemurgic Council, method has been
developed for converting Irish potatoes
into plastics. The plastic material which
can be made from culled potatoes in
cludes a type resembling crystal-clear
glass. DR.. Joseph seiberich, German