Evening star., 1939-11-13
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hdski1.

A reader can get the answer to am
question OF fact by toriting The Epe.
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hdsktn, director, Washington.
d. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
G. Are there many horse-drawn VIC
torias still in use on the streets Of New
York City?-T. D. H.
A. Sixteen hackmen are licensed to
drive such vehicles in the city.
Q. What is the Federal tax on playing
cards?-M. E. B.
A. The Revenue Act provides for a
tax upon every pack Of playing cards of
not more than 81 cards of 10 cents.
Larger decks have a higher tax.
@. How old is the song when Irish
Eyes Are Smiling"?-A. r.
A. The composition by Ernest Ball was
copyrighted In 1912.
@. Who invented the parachute7-
D. L.
A. In 1888 Sebastien Lenormand prac.
tlcally demonstrated the efficiency of a
parachute by descending from the tower
OF Montpelier Observatory, but he
merely regarded 1t as a useful means
whereby to escape from fire To j. P.
Blanchard 1753-1809 is due the idea
OF using it as an adjunct to the balloon.
Q. What famous book was sold to pay
a landlady?-W. G. H.
A. When Oliver Goldsmith's landladv
had him arrested for failing to pay his
rent, he sent for Samuel johnson. john
son asked him if he had anything that
would discharge the debt, and Gold.
smith handed him the manuscript Of
The Vicar of Wakefield" RECOGNIZING
Its merit, johnson took it to bookseller
and sold 1t for 60 pounds.
@. Where is Tin Can 1sland?-M.
G. H.
A. Tin Can Island is the popular name
OF Nluafoo, small island of the Tonga
group, but detached from the rest of the
archipelago and lying near the center
OF the ocean triangle formed by Tonga
Samoa and Fiji in IS degrees south lati-
tude and ITS degrees west longitude The
island is we'll known to stamp collectors
by the name Tin Can Island because NJ
the fact that there is no anchorage on
the island and mail has to be delivered
IN tin cans offshore.
Q. How much frozen food is sold IN
the United States?-L. K. B.
A. In 1889 the output of frozen foods
was 5o0oOo,0o0 pounds
Q. At what rate does the heart beat,
&C. j. w.
A. In infancy it beats about 12o times
per minute; In adult life, USUALLY be-
tween 80 and IS times, with normal of
about 62 for men and SO for women.
Q. What is the largest public housing
development in the United States9-
M. B. S.
A. 1t is the Queenabridge Houses proi-
ect IN the Borough OF Queens. New york
Clty. The various units cover At acres
and will be completed ut a cost Of s1a.
ooo'oo0. Homes will be provided for
3,l49 families or approximately n aoo
individuals.
@. Has carbon monoxide ess .,,
odor?-V. R. '
"A. carbon monoxide gas is odorless
colorless and tasteless.
Q. When should the title "the honor.
aole' be used in correspondence
L. S. j.
"A. The Complete Desk Book" saws.
In the United States, the honorable ;s
USED IN addressing by name American
Ambassadors, foreign ministers in Wash
nlg.on' Governors of States, Territories
ana island possessions; high commis-
siohers' cabinet officers, Senators, mem.
oers OF Congress, secretary to the Presi.
oent' undersecretaries of executive dc.
partments, assistant secretaries tn tho
president. judges Except of the Suprem.
Court, heads of independent Federal
boards, commissions and other establish.
menus State Senators and Representa-.
s'eS' secretary Of the United States
SENATE clerk OF the House of Repre-
sentatives, Commissioners. District =,
Columbia; Mayors of large cities"
~ Is there any variety of fish that
builds a nest?-E. T. H.
"A. The stickleback builds q t,,n,.,
SNAPPED nest consisting of bits Of wafer
weeds bound together with a touob
white thread which is produced from on
internal gland. GA
T. Please give the origin of Thanks.
giving day.. B. H.
A. The earliest harvest thankso,ri,
In America were observed by the piI.
grim Fathers at Plymouth in 1921. Con.
gress recommended days Of thank,g,v.
ing during the Revolution and in i7sA
1or the return of peace-as did presi-
dent Madison in 1915. Washington an
pointed such day in 1889 after tho
aooption OF the Constitution and in 17os
1or the general benefit and welfare ~
the Nation. President Lincoln in 1ssa
proclaimed day of national thankso,v.
lng' praise and prayer.
g. Do railroad shops come under the
wage-hour law?-J. S.
a. employees Of railroads are ex.r,n.
from the provisions of the wage-hour
=. should like q word book for .
oetter command Of the English lar
guase-R. c. D.
a. See Page Az Of today's Star.