Evening star., 1939-06-20
| Answers
| To Questions
By Frederic J. Hdsktn.

A reader can get the ansUer to any
question OF fact by 1Oriting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. H1skin, director, Washinqton,
D. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Q. What was President Grants real
name, Hiram Ulysses or Ulysses Simp-
son?--G. H.
A. President Grants full name was
Hiram Ulysses Grant. He acquired the
name Ulysses Simpson (simpson was
his mothers maiden name) by mistake.
The Congressman who filled out his
appointment papers for West Point
thought that Simpson was his middle
name.
@. Is it known how long the great
Carlsbad Caverns have been in exist
ence?-E. F.
A. Geologists estimate that the forma-
ton of the caverns began some 60, 900 900
years ago at the end of the Age of
Dinosaurs Water seepage into vast
limestone deposits has caused their
myriads of sculptured effects.
@. When are wood ticks most preva-
lent?-J. F. S.
A. May and June are the worst montbI
in regions where the insects are abun-
dant. BY the first of August the ticks
practically disappear.
Q. Please define the difference be-
tween Territory of the United States
and a possession thereof.-F. x.
A. 1t is difficult to define satisfactorily
the difference between a Territory and
possession of the United States. Alaska
and Hawaii are, according to an official
in the Division of Territories and Island
Possessions, full fedged Territories of the
United States. Puerto Rico is also
Territory, but its finances are handled in
slightly different way. In Alaska and
Hawaii all of the internal revenue is
collected and paid into the United States
Treasury and appropriations made there
from. Internal revenue of Puerto Rico
is collected and paid into a separate
fund. Under the Securities Act the
term Territory" means Alaska, Hawaii
the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico, the
Canal Zone, the Virgin Islands and
insular possessions of the United States
The Canal Zone is administered by the
War Department. Several of the other
islands, such as Wake Island and Mid
way Islands are under the jurisdiction
of the Navy Department. The District
Of Columbia is part of the United States
and is not a Territory but district.
O. How soon will the new small-sized
turkey be on the market?-L P.
A. Government experts say that it will
take probably another five years before
the desired characteristics are "fxed-
in the new small-type turkey. II they
succeed the small-type turkey will be
white, with a compact body, short legs
a long keel bone and plenty of breas.
meat. 1t would mature in "a to 26 weeks
the young hens weighing 61a to pounds
dressed, and the young toms between
IL and 1872 pounds dressed.
@. What causes white spots on the
fingernails?-G. G.
A. White lines and spots under the
fingernails are sometimes known as gift
spots" They are due to structural
changes in the nail bed and upon micro
scopic examination indicate the inclusion
Of air within the tissues.
@. How long have one-cent pieces been
coined?-W Mem.
A. One-cent pieces have been coined
since 1893. Indian head pennies were
coined from 1859 to 1909 The Lincoln
design was adopted in 1909.
@. Some people claim that Bell did not
invent the telephone and that this was
proved in the Supreme Court. Could you
give details of this case?-V. A. C.
A. The Supreme Court case in regard
to the telephone was decided on March
l9, 1888. The majority held that Mr..
Alexander Graham Bell was the first in
ventor of the telephone.
@. Can you give me some information
regarding Peter Francisco known as
''the strongest soldier of the Revolution
airy War"?-G. M.
A. Peter Francisco. a resident of Vir-
ginia, was born in Portugal. A granite
memorial on the Guilford battle-ground
at Greensboro, N. c., commentaries his
prowess. During the battle. Peter killed
II British soldiers with his broadsword,
and although wounded escaped to CO
other feats of strength. At another time
during the War for Independence, Peter
is credited with shouldering an 1.100-
pound gun and marching off with it.
Once he was not content merely to throw
man over fence, but also threw the
gentleman's horse over after him.
@. Will you tell me the origin of the
salute of 81 guns?-F L.
A. The following explanation has been
given of this custom: Originally war
ships fired a salute of seven guns, the
number seven being selected because of
its mystical significance from antiquity. ..
Although the salute at sea was seven
guns, shore batteries were allowed to
fire three guns to the ships one. The
reason for this was that sodium nitrate
was largely used in the manufacture of
powder This was easily spoiled at sea,
but could be very readily kept on land. 4
The multiplier three was selected prob
ably because of its symbolism. With the
development of the manufacture of
-