Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-24
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Haskin.

~ FTSQeTtc J. HaSk1n.
A reader can get the ans,cey to AMI
question OF fact by ,ortttng The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. Hnsktn. director, Washington,
d. c.. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. Why Is the British flag permitted to
be flown on the Capitol Building at
Williamsburg, Va.7-H. r. M.
A. The flag which flies from the cupola
Of the Colonial Capitol Building at Will
namsburg is the Great Union, which
preceded the present British Union Jack.
Prior to the selection of this historic
emblem there was a consultation of
historians, heraldic experts, lawyers.
architects and officers of the United
States Flag Association. Before the flag
was hoisted the following statement was
obtained from the United States Flag
Association: I'VE can see no objection
whatsoever to flying the obsolete British
flag from the cupola of the Capitol of
Colonial Virginia which has been re-
constructed as q replica of the Colonial
Capitol Of 1705. AS the British flag of
l7O5 was flown from the cupola of the
original building, it is, In our judgment
entirely fitting that it should be
restored"
@. How much does the earth weight
w. P.
A. The mass of the earth has been
estimated at about sextillion, 600 quin-
tilhon short tons, not including the
atmosphere, whose weight has been esti-
mated at more than quadrillion short
tons.
r. H. M
A. The koala OF Australia, which re-
sembles Teddy bear, never drinks. OBJ
tanning enough moisture from the young
eucalyptus leaves on which he lives.
There are several types of desert ami
mails, however, which probably never
actually take a drink, but obtain the
necessary moisture from their food such
as plants or insects. Among such ami
mails may be mentioned several species
Of desert antelope and a number of
animals typical of the American desert
including the jack rabbit, the desert
sparrow, the cactus wren. the desert
rattlesnake, the horned toad and the gila
monster.
O. Please give some information about
the Rock of Gibraltar-M. s. M.
A. Gibraltar, the rock at the SOUTH
ernmost point Of the Iberian Peninsula,
guards the entrance to the Mediter-
ranean Sea. The rock has been in
British possession since 1713. 1t has
been elaborated tunneled and armed
until it is considered impregnable. A
large and secure harbor has been con-
structed at its foot and as a naval base
1t Is OF the greatest strategic importance.
The rock is ga miles long, three quarters
OF a mile wide and 1896 feet in height.
The area is nearly square miles.
@. Who makes the "all-America selec-
TONS of flowers each year?-J. MN.
A. These competitive trials are con-
Quoted under the auspices Of the Ameri-
can Seed Trade Association and COM
the outstanding introductions Of the
year.
@. Which are the largest Of the Phil
Ippine Islands?-E. s. T.
A. The largest are Luzon, with an
area of 40.814 square miles. and Min
danao, which is 36,9o6 square miles in
area.
Q. How far apart do the bullets travel
which come out of machine gun at
the rate Of $50 a minute?-A. r.
A. The office of the chief of ordnance
OF the War Department says that as
Stunning muzzle velocity of 2,700 feet
per second the bullets would be 2ls
feet apart when fired at the rate of
$50 per minute.
@. How long has the Tournament Of
Roses been held at Pasadena, Calif7-
W. H
A. The famous flower festival had its
inception in 1890 and has been held
annually ever since.
@. Did Joe Penners duck get degree
several years ago?-R. H.
A. In 1896 the Los Angeles Ministerial
Association appointed committee to
curb the activities of self-styled
churches which were allegedly ordain-
ing ministers for fee of $40. In q
test made by one of the investigators,
Joe Penner permitted his ducks name
to be used on an ordination application.
Within two days the duck received his
divinity milf diploma designating him
the Rev. Drake Googoo.
@. What is an Indiana bananaq-
E. p j.
A. The pawpaw. belonging to the GUS
tard-apple family, is sometimes referred
to by this name. The fruit is yellow,
OF creamy texture when fully ripe,
and characterized by rich flavor.
@. Please give the real names of the
motion picture actors Lionel Barrymore,
John GARFIELD and Melvyn Douglas
P. B.
A. They are rs follows: Lionel Barry
more, Lionel Blythe; John Garfield,
Jules Garfinkle, and Melvyn Douglas,
Melvyn E. Hesselberg.
Q. How many people were evacuated
from cities in England at the outset