Evening star., 1939-08-23
Huskin's S Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Huskin.

@. How many postage stamps are
made in day?-R. M. L.
A. The United States Bureau of En-
craving and Printing prints an average
of 100000 postage stamps a day.
@. Is there any country governed en-
tirely by Negroes?-E. NJ H..
A. Liberia, on the southwest coast of
Africa, is both peopled and governed by
Negroes. All electors must be of Negro
blood and owners of land.
@. What is the largest rattlesnake ever
killed in California?-H A. S.
A. The Smithsonian Institution has
record of specimen which was captured
on July 6, 1926, and measured feet
S inches, exclusive of the rattle which
must have been at least inches long
if complete. 1t had a circumference at
the thickest point Of 152 inches and
weighed "a pounds.
@. Where is Alexander Hamiltons
grave?-A. H.
A. Alexander Hamilton is buried in
the cemetery Of Trinity Church, at New
York City.
Q. Please compare the number of :.
automobile and home accidents in the
United States.-E J. A.
A. During 1888 motor vehicle accidents
in the United States caused 80 400 deaths
and 1,1500O0 personal injuries. In 1888
the home accident death total was about
81 500. The total number of nen-fatal
injuries in the home was 4,650000. Most
OF these injuries caused disabilities of
only one or two days, but about l4O 900
resulted in some permanent disability.
@. What is the origin of the expression
"Hobsons choice"?-J. W. H.
A. The expression is derived from
the name of Cambridge livery stable
keeper whose rule was that each Gus
toner must take the horse nearest to
the door or have no horse at all.
q. Why is the place in Washington,
d. c., where the symphony concerts are
held called the Water Gate?-M. A. H.
A. The arc of 40 granite steps, 2O6
feet wide at the top and 23O feet wide
at the base, which forms the connection
between Twenty-third street and River
side drive is termed the Water Gate be-
cause here are conducted the familiar :
welcoming ceremonies to notables ar
rlVlng by water, such as foreign ennis
saries, naval and military heroes and
leading explorers.
Q. Why does a rooster stretch his
neck when he crows?-E. T.
A. This is a reflex action to make
the sound travel farther.
O. In the Memorial Day race at
Indianapolis, what kind of tires and
spark plugs were used by the entrants?
M. L.
A. In the 1889 5O0-mile race at In
dlanapolis Firestone tires were used on
all OF the cars entered. The winning car
used Maserati spark plugs. The 10 cars
which placed next used Champion spark
plugs. The twelfth car to finish used
BoWes spark plugs. The rest used Cham
pion spark plugs.
@. How long have lotteries been popu-
lar?-E. NJ H.
A. The word had its origin in the
period of the Israelites. Emperor Au-
gustus is credited with introducing the
modern idea. On state occasions he
would gather his favorites around a
huge banquet board and distribute small
packages identical in size. Guests were
permitted to exchange these gifts which
contained articles ranging from single
lentl bean to diamonds of fabulous
value. Nero had system of tossing
numbered balls. Those who captured
these presented them at the Roman
treasury, where they were redeemable ,
Tor clothing, jewels, slaves, horses or
even a boat
O. How large is our standing ArmyP
C. H.
A. AS of June 80, 1899, the strength
of the United States Army was 1s7 sa7
enlisted men and 6,367 Philippine Scouts
and 1888 officers, including 80 Philip
pine Scout officers.
G. What is the meaning of Saratoga?
j. S. S.
A. 1t is derived from the Indian word
Sa-ragh-to-go, meaning hillside country
of the great water.
q. How did the late John McGraw get
his nickname of "Muggsy"?-s. T R.
A. Ernest j. Lanigan of the Inter-
national League says: 1T was pinned on
him by some scribe when he was a
member of the very aggressive Baltimore
club and possibly was awarded because
OF his intensity in disputing umpires
decisions or battling with opposing play
ers. He hated the nickname and it took
two years of intensive work in 1904 and
l9O5 on the part of Fred Knowles. New
YORK cluo secretary, to get foreign scribes
to stop using it. McGraw will be better
remembered as The Little Napoleon'"
y. Has any one ever invented a round
billiard table?-T. j. H. n
A. Fred Waring, the orchestra leader
has invented such a table which is on
display at the Inventors Exposition now
being held in New York City at the
Spear Auditorium.
@. Where may I obtain an up-to-date
map of Europe?
A. See Haskin's advertisement on Page
Az today.
D..