Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-08-21
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hasktn.


reader can get the answer to any
question OF fact by ,Drtttng The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hasktn, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. What is the origin Of the Pekingese
dog?-E. J. H.
A. The origin of the breed is lost In
antiquity, but it is known that these
dogs were regarded as sacred and kept
closely guarded in the palaces Of Chi
nese rulers for many centuries. In 1850,
at the time of the looting Of the summer
palace in Peking, five Of the dogs were
seized and carried to England, where
they became the progenitors of the
Pekingese Of today.
@. Where is the largest church in the
United States?-L. S. B.
A. The Episcopal Cathedral of st. John
the Divine in New York City is the larg-
est church on the American Continent.
@. When did the Gold Star Mothers
organize?-S. B.
A. The Gold Star Mothers Association
was organized in Washington, D. c., June
4, 1925 and incorporated January S,
1929, in the same city.
@. Who designed the new G. o. p.
elephant?-M. M. M.
A. The streamlined elephant was de-
signed by Thomas H. Reed of Berkeley,
Calf.
@. Is Rosa Bonheur's famous painting
called THE Horse Fair" in the United
States?-R. B.
A. The original painting is in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
York City.
@. Who discovered Puerto Rico?-T.
S. R.
"A. Puerto Rico was discovered in l49a
by Columbus. The first settlement was
made at Pueblo Viejo in 1903 by Ponce
de Leon.
@. Who originated the corn-husking
championship?-N. r. B.
A. County and sectional champion
ships have been held for many years, but
the first national tournament was insti-
tuted in 1924 by Henry Wallace, editor
of Wallace's Farmer.
@. Why are artesian wells so called?-
B. S. r.
A. They are named after Artois a
French province, where this type of we'll
was first popular.
@. Are the Panama Canal locks large
enough to accommodate any ship?-E.
M. j.
A. Only the Queen Mary and the Nor
mandie are too large to pass through
the locks, which are ITO feet wide and
have disable length of 1000 feet.
@. What makes a green persimmon
quicker the mouth?-E. M. S.
A. 1t is the tannin in the fruit that
makes it so astringent.
@. Is there anything besides the Bib
lical quotation inscribed on the Liberty
Bell?-L. G. S.
A. Under the Biblical quotation are
inscribed the names of the men who
recast the bell, Pass and Stow; the alb
breviation Phila., and the date of its
casting, 1888
@. Which members sit on the Presi-
dents right and left in a cabinet meet
ing?-M. P. H.
A. The President sits at the head OF
the table with the Secretary of State at
his right. At his left is the chair OF
the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
other eight members are seated in the
order of seniority of their departments
Q. What is the oldest race track in the
United States?-M. B. R.
A. The oldest race track still in use
is that in Saratoga, N Y, where the
inaugural meeting was held on August
2, 1864.
@. How old was King Georges brother
John when he died?-D w.
A. His majesty's youngest brother,
Prince John. died on January Is, 1919,
at the age of 49,
@. What town in the West is named
for the original John Jacob Astor?-
j. H. D.
A. Astoria, Greg, which he founded
in 1911.
Q. How many Cherokee Indians are
there in North Carolina?-P. G. S.
A. The Cherokees in that State now
number over 5000. They live on the
eastern slope of the Great Smoky Noun
tains with their capital at Cherokee,
N. C.
@. When was MY Country, It's of
Thee" first sung?-L. w. D.
A. The song, America" was first used
In 1882 at a children's Fourth of july
celebration in Boston.
Q. What is the Excalibur sword?-E.
M. R.
A. In Arthurian legend, Excalibur was
King Arthur's wonderful sword which
was given to him by the Lady of the
Lake.
@. What was the first great mystery
story?-T. M. H.
A. The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic
Romance" by Horace Walpole, publish
ed in l765, was the forerunner of mod
ern mystery stories Its influence was
even manifested in the work of earlv
American writer's, including Charles
Brockden, Edgar Allan Poe and Ma
.-IY