Evening star., 1939-07-26
Hoskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hdsktn.

~ EfCUNW y. AQSkIW.
A reader can get the ansuey to any
question OF fact by DrittnQ The Epe.
ming StGr Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hdsktn, director Washtnoton.
D. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. Who is the most popular current
literary character?-J. G. H.
A. 1t is doubtless Tarzan, created bv
Edgar Rice Burroughs. These books
have been translated into every Euro.
pean language, and have attained a sails
Of 25,oo00O0.
@. Are there any colored CHAPLAIN
In the United States Army?-T. Elk.
A. There are on active duty in the
Regular Army two Negro chaplains, one
with the rank of colonel, and one with
the rank Of major.
@. What is Jack Oakies real name?-
L. H.
A. The motion picture actors name Il
Lewis D. Oh1eld.
@. What are the smallest nations Ia
the world?-J. M.
A. The three smallest nations In the
world IN area are: The Principality Of
Monaco, which has an area of eight
square miles; the Republic Of San
Marlno, with SO square miles, and the
Principally of Liechtenstein with IS
square miles
Q. Is blue ribbon actually awarded
to ship for record crossing?-G.
A. A blue ribbon is presented to the
captain OF an ocean-going vessel which
earns this award for fast crossing. Tho
Queen Mary now holds the blue ribbon
for both the east and west Atlantic
crossings.
q. What percentage of the average
w. P. A. check goes for food, shelter,
clothing and other expenses?-T. S. G,
A. 1t has been estimated that over
the country as whole the w. P. A.
check is divided as follows: 80 per cent
food, II per cent shelter, 10 per cent
clothing, 10 per cent household opera.
ton, per cent street car and bus fare,
per cent medical care, 16 per cent
miscellaneous other expenses.
@. Which of Verdi's operas is con.
sidered his masterpiece?-B B.
A. Groves Dictionary says of Aida"
that it was Immediately accepted as
Verdi's most finished and most typical
work. Later "Otello" was acknowledged
as marking the highest point ever
reached by italian opera.
@. Does North Carolina have a wild
pony roundup like the one In Virginia?
j. G. H.
A. A roundup of wild ponies is held
annually at Ocracoke and Cape Look
out, N. c.
@. How are ping pong balls made?-
o. E.
A. They are made out of sheets Of
celluloid, then stamped out in halves
in large mold under heat and pressure.
The two halves are then cemented to-
gether.
@. Why is Texas referred to as the
Lone Star State?"-M J..
A. Texas is called the Lone Star
State" because of the single star in her
flag which commentaries the inde-
pendent existence Of Texas as a re-
public.
Q. How salty is the water in the
Atlantic Ocean?-W. H. T.
A. The standard salinity of the water
;v, tbo a..
thousand.
Q. Please give the origin of the word
shavetail as used in the Arny.-W. c. K.
A. The word "shavetail' is soldiers
slang for recently appointed second
Observation-Disclosures so called with
allusion to the young, unbroken Army
mules.
@. During the recent conclave at the
Vatican at which Cardinal Pacelli was
elected Pope, how many dishes and
pieces of glassware were provided for
the meals of the cardinals?-R. B.
A. Two hundred coffee and tea
services, 5000 bottles, glasses and de-
canters, 5000 dishes and plates.
@. When was the pomegranate intro
duced into England?-S. c. T.
A. 1t was taken to England by Kath-
arine of Aragon. The Queen used it for
her device.
O. Is Gov. Lloyd c. Stark of Missouri
connected in any way with the famous
Stark nurseries?-L. G. j.
A. Gov. Stark is head of the business
which was handed down through the
family from its founder, his great-grand-
father.
@. Do bees drink water?-B. H. L.
A. The Bureau of Entomology says
that honey bees do drink water. They
swallow only limited quantity for use
in their own bodies-most of the water
they acquire is carried back in their
honey sacs to the hive for the young
bees.
@. What is the range of the most
powerful gun used by the United States
in any defense?-E. E.
A. The 16-inch gun IS the largest and
has range of approximately 80 miles
using projectile weighing about 2,34O
pounds.
@. Where may I obtain information
on the care of the feet?-H. w.