Evening star., 1940-05-16
Answers
To Questions
BY Frederic J. Hasktn.

By Frederic J. Hasktn.
A reader can get the dnsUer to ann
question OF fact by ,criting The Epe.
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred.
ertc J. Hdsktn, director, Washtnoton.
d. c. Please t,,close stamp for replv.
Q. How much money is spent IN Fed.
eral, State and local taxes?-T.
A. The Tax Policy League estimates
Federal tax collections at $4,744,all 900.
State collections at S3o5s. $40 ,22l and
local revenues at 4.450, ,743, los, the total
OF all units being $l2,253,574,327.
q. Please give the origin Of the whistle
on train engines.-W. p. 8.
A. When the Stockton d DARLINGTON
Railway In England was opened for
trafdc, . man on horseback preceded tho
Samson, one Of stephensons early loco.
motives. to warn people of its approach.
But the engine attained the hitherto
unheard Of speed Of IS miles per hour
and the horseman was ordered of the
track. The first serious crossing acci-
dent on the road followed on September
Is, 1880, when the Hon. William Huskis-
son, . cabinet minister, was killed.
Subsequently another accident occurred
on May 4, 1888. After this a meeting
OF the directors was called to take meas
ures OF safety. Stephenson suggested
the steam whistle and a musical instru-
ment maker In Leicester was engaged to
make trumpet or horn which had a
weird and effective sound.
Q. When did Mark Twain make his
first public address?-G. H.R.
A. His first appearance as q public
speaker was at banquet given by the
printers at Keokuk, Iowa, on January
II. 1856, in honor Of the anniversary Of
Benjamin Franklins birth. He was then
only 81 years old but the literary and
humorous character of his address gave
promise Of the great success he later
achieved.
q. Who offered q reward for tho
proof Of "Fermat's Last Theoremn?-
T. c. G.
A. A prize Of 100000 marks has been
offered by the Royal Academy Of Sci
ences at Gottingen, Germany, for the
solution Of the problem known as Fer.
mats Last Theorem." This offer which
does not expire until about the end Of
the twentieth century has caused the
solution Of the problem to be undertaken
by large number of people.
Q. Please give directions for prepar.
ing minnows for bait.-R. B. r.
A. To preserve minnows for bait, take
one part Of formalin to 20 parts Of
water, place the minnows in this solu-
ton in tightly closed jar or bottle and
keep IN the dark until they are to be
used. In this way they will retain their
colors and silvery hues better than II in
the light. When about to use for bait.
soak In fresh water to remove the for.
malin. A few drops Of oil of rhodium
may then be placed on the minnow to
disguise the pungent odor of formalin
that may remain in the fish after soak.
ing.
Q. How many kinds Of opossums are
thereto. 8. T.
A. There are over 20 species ranging
IN size from that Of mouse to that Of q
cat.
@. Please name the most famous cor.
ners In American financial history
w. E. r.
A. The most notable were the sue.
cessful corner Of Harlem Railroad stock
BY Commodore Gould In 1868 and the
attempted corner of gold by Jay Gould
In 1869.
Q. When did the Civil War begin9-
T. J.
A. The Civil War began on April u,
1851, and ended August 20, 1855. Active
hostilities ceased April 8, 1865.
Q. Can two race horses have the same
name?-K. w. A.
A. No two horses are permitted to
bear the same name until at least IS
years has elapsed between the death of
the nrst holder and the registering of the
second.
@. When was the tax on soft drinks
repealed?-D. L. B.
A. The tax on soft drinks was re.
pealed by the Revenue Act Of 1894.
Q. What does c. I. F. mean?-D. S.H.
A. This is an expression used In quot
ing prices, particularly in the export
trade, to indicate that the price includes
the cost Of the goods plus insurance and
freight.
@. Did Nine. Schumann- -Heink ever
play in motion picture?-M. VI.
A. Her only motion picture appear
ance was in Here's to Romance" In 1885.
@. Do many Christians live In Beth.
lehem?-M. O. H.
A. Out Of a total population estimated
at 6,817, Christians number about $500,
Q. Are Barbara Huttons jewels In.
sured?-K. G. M.
A. They are insured for $2,250, 900 by
large insurance company in this coun.
try.
@. How long has the National Spell.
ing Bee been held annually?-J. J.K.
A. The National Spelling Bee was
founded In 1925 by the Louisville Cour.
ier-Journal and has been held annually
since then.