Evening star., 1939-11-15
Hoskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
BY Frederic J. Hdskin.


d. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q. What is the longest filibuster on
record in Congress?-M. L.
A. In 1908, Senator La Toilette con-
Quoted almost single-handed a filibuster
against the Aldrich-Vreeland financial
bill. He took the floor May % at 1910
pm. and held it until 7:O5 am, May 30.
or 18 hours and % minutes. However.
he failed to block the passage Of the bill.
Q. Is there musical instrument called
tonitruone?-PI B. F.
A. This is kind of gong invented by
Paderewski, the celebrated pianist and
composer, to convey the suggestion to
distant runbling of thunder.
Q. What percentage Of the Nations
wheat is harvested by combines?-W.
H. S.
A. In 1888 nearly so per cent Of the
wheat acreage in the United States was
harvested by combines.
@. Please give the date of the begin
ming and end of the Ethiopian warfare.
&C. D. B.
A. Italy conquered Ethiopian in a war
which began over border clash in De-
cember 1884, and waged until Adds
Ababa was captured May 5, 1886.
@. Where is the highest point in Della.
Ware?-C. j.
A. The highest point in Delaware i.
Centreville, in New Castle County, which
has an altitude of 440 feet.
@. In what month was attendance at
the New York Worlds Fair the largest2
&C. McC.
A. The biggest month was October,
when over 5,o83989 persons were ad-
mitted
@. What is tonkin cane7-E FO.
A. Tonkin cane is a variety of bamboo
grown in Southern China which is used
extensively for the manufacture of fish,
ing rods because of its strength.
@. How much did Dempsey and Will
lard weigh when they battled for the
heavyweight championship in 19ls?-W.
A. w.
A. At the time Of the fight on July 4,
1919, Dempsey weighed 1874, and Willard
weighed $50 pounds.
O. What is the orbital speed of the
earth?-T. NJ. r.
A. The earths orbital velocity varies
from 65,47e to 67,7os miles per hour.
@. Is it true that Daniel Defoe died
in want?-T. j. M.
A. The author died in poverty and was
buried in Bunhill Fields, London, where
his grave was marked by only small
headstone. The English boys and girls
who had read Robinson Crusoe" sub
scribed the money for a monument with
suitable inscription.
Q. How many kinds Of trees are there
in the United States?-L A. K.
A. There are s62 species, 81 hybrids
and 22s varieties Of trees in the United
States.
Q. What is the significance of the
crane in Japan?-B. D.S
A. The crane is considered sacred.
being regarded as symbol of longevity.
@. How much do the people In Phila-
delphia spend on food and clothing in
a year?-N. K. S.
A. In 1888, the Research Bureau of
the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
estimated that Philadephians spent
S340000,000 for food and $4,000 900 for
clothing.
@. What is the most valuable book in
the Library of Congress?-M. J.R.
A. 1t is the Gutenberg Bible, which
was printed between 1850 and l455 by
John Gutenberg in three volumes. DR..
Otto Vollbehr, who sold it to the Lii
brary, paid more than $3.50, for it.
u VINO invented the candid camera
form OF photography?-B. j. R.
A. The term candid camera" was
coined by the New York Journal The
Hearst papers introduced this type of
photography, using the miniature cam
era for newspapers.
@. Who owned Dan Patch, the famous
race horse?-R. P. B.
A. Dan Patch was born at Oxford.
Ind, in 1896 He was bred by Dan
Messner and sold to Myron McHenry for
$4,000. He was purchased by M. w.
Savage of Minneapolis in December,
1902, for $4,000.
@. What is the literal meaning of the
word dachshund?-T g. H.
A. Dachs is the German word for
badger and hund for dog. 1t is said
these dogs were bred for their short,
crooked front legs which enable them
to crawl into holes after badgers.
@. What is the membership of the
Communist party in this country?-J.
A. The membership of the Commu-
mist party in the United States is
sO,327.
O. should like an inexpensive edition
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