Evening star., 1939-05-06
Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. H1sktn.

~ FfSQeT1C J. dQSktn.
A reader can get the ans,Der to any
question OF fact by tDrtting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hasktn, director, Washington,
D. q. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. Please give the number of living
World War veterans Of each age between
81 and An. T.
A. The Veterans Administration gives
the following statistics on the number
Of living World War veterans from 81
years of age to 43 years Of age: 43 years,
547,s56; a years, 357524; II years, 174,-
20l; 40 years, Isl 1,797; 80 years, $1,000;
80 years, o,704; ~ years, 1,l83.
Q. Who discovered the formula for silk
made from coal, water and air7-C. NJ. 8.
A. DR.. Wallace H. Carothers, who died
recently at the age Of II, worked out the
formula for Nylon in the laboratories of
the Du Pont Co.
Q. How large population had Boston
In 1790?-L. J. r.
~ LA Inv oO6VOI1 4laO y RVk0atAO41 Va
1890.
@. How does the average cost Of an
automobile now compare with that Is
years ago?-E. j. H.
A. The average automobile in 1914 cost
$l,ll5, while the average cost Of auto.
mobiles in 1888 was $783.
Q. What is meant by Oppressive child
labor" in the wage-hour law?-M. r.
A. Oppressive child labor" is defined
as: /. Employment of children under 16
years Of age in any occupation, except
for employment of children IA or Is years
old at work, other than manufacturing
or mining, which has been determined by
the chief of the Children's Bureau not to
interfere with their schooling, health
or well-being. 2. Employment of chill
dren 16 or II years of age in any occu-
patton found and declared by order Of
the chief of the Children's Bureau to be
particularly hazardous or detrimental to
health or well-being.
@. Is there any relation between the
type of food eaten and the amount Of
water needed by the body?-R. B. K.
A. An ounce Of starch requires Ia
ounces of water for its digestion; /
ounce of beef, ounces of water, an ounce
of Goldfish, IL ounces of water.
@. What causes rain to appear to fall
and yet it does not reach the ground?-
A. B. j.
A. The United States Weather Bu-
reau says: THE phenomenon which has
the appearance of falling rain but does
not reach the ground, is common one.
especially over arid regions. The rain
actually falls from the clouds, but the
air between the cloud and the earth has
such q low relative humidity that the
rain is completely evaporated before 1t
reaches the ground. In meteorological
literature this type of precipitation is re-
ferred to as 'virga.'"
@. Please give the height of President
Coolidge and President Hoover-W.
M. G.
A. President Coolidge was S feet 10
inches tall and Mr.. Hoover is feet II
inches in height
@. What is crucifix fsh?-W. J.
A. The crucifix fish is species Of cat
fish, very little Of which is known. It is
usually found in Central America on
either side of the isthmus Although
used for food, it has no commercial val
ue. 1t is reverenced because when the
skull is cleaned the bones form a crucif1x
@. What is the average life Of q
freighter?-K. S. K.
A. The average life Of a freighter Is
20 years.
G. Is there q memorial to Winnie
Davis at Narragansett Pier, Rhode
Island, where she died?-S. R. G.
A. The Rev. Thorn Williamson, rector
Of the Episcopal Church, st. Peters-by-
the-Sea, at Narragansett Pier, says: In
our church is beautiful memorial win
dow showing white-robed angel with
red gold wings holding a golden trumpet.
Above the window are the words: The
Trumpet Shall Sound and the Dead Shall
Be Raised Below the figure of the angel
is the inscription: To the Glory Of God
and in Loving Memory Of Varina Jeffer-
son Davis, Who Entered Into Rest Sep
tember 1s, 1898. 1864-1ssS'"
@. Please give the origin of the saying,
God bless you" when a person sneezes.
Il. B.
A. The origin of God bless you" or
similar benediction after snee1ng Is OBJ
scure. The Romans believed that sneez-
ing expelled evil spirits and, therefore,
used the expression, Good luck to you"
There is an old legend that before the
time Of Jacob men sneezed once and died.
Jacob interceded with the Lord in their
behalf and the favor was granted, pro-
vided that after every sneeze q prayer or
benediction, God bless you," be said.
@. What is the real name Of Gabby
Hartnett?-R. D.
A. His name is Charles Leo Hartnett.
Q. Was the late S. g. Van Dine at one
time editor Of the Smart Set Magazine?
k F. r.