Evening star., 1940-02-16
Hoskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hasktn,

By Frederic J. HasIetn.
A reader can get the anstcer to any
question OF fact BY trrtttno The Ere-
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. Hasktn, director, Washington,
D. c. Please tuclose stamp for reply.
q. How many people are paying social
security taxes?-J. w. s.
A. The Bureau of Internal Revenue
says that approximately $4,000 900 per-
sons are paying taxes under the old-age
insurance provisions Of the Social Sc
curity Act.
Q. In what year did the explosion Of
the gun Peacemaker occur on board the
U. 8. s. Princeton7-R. J. 8.
A. The bursting of the gun Peace
maker on board the United States
steamer Princeton took place on Feb
ruary 28, 1874.
Pole?-J. l.. r.
A. Since all the meridians Of longitude
meet at the poles, any time may be
observed there. 1t is customary for ex-
plorers In the Arctic and Antarctic to
use the time Of the countries they repre-
sent or to use time based on that Of
Greenwich, England.
@. Where is Anthony Fokker, the
famous airplane builder, buried?-E. T.
A. His ashes are inferred in an urn
in Westervelt Cemetery, near HARLEM,
in the Netherlands.
@. Please give some information about
Goya's quarrel with the Duke of Yelling
ton.-R. w. M.
A. "The Living Goya," by Mercedes G.
Barbarroea, says: ''The story Of Goya's
famous encounter with the Duke Of
Wellington is historical. The hero Of
Waterloo, expecting to have his portrait
painted in the Van Dyck or Rubens style
OF English tradition, could not repress
his astonishment when he took note Of
Goya's original and curious methods.
Venturing to comment and perhaps to
criticize, the general made some tactless
remarks which offended the sensitive
pride of the artist. Goya, it is related.
lost his head and, in a fit Of passion,
seized weapon hanging from the studio
walls and made for the Duke, who par
ried the thrust in his direction and beat
a hasty retreat. King Ferdinand was
obliged to intervene, and the fiery painter
received orders to leave Madrid. But
wellington, realizing at last that artists
must be given broad leeway to express
their art as they see At, interceded for
Goya. The sittings were resumed and the
portrait was completed in due course"
@. Was Vice President ever elected
by the Senate?-R. K. B.
A. Richard Mentor johnson, our ninth
Vice President, failed to secure major
ity Of electoral votes and was elected
by the Senate.
@. Where was the first carlton in the
United States?-C. c. s.
A. The nrst carlton in the United
States was dedicated at Gloucester,
Mass, in 1922 by Portuguese fishermen
and their neighbors to commemorate the
patriotic service Of their fellow sailors.
Q. What is the oldest fort In the
United States?-L. r. '-'1- 'T7
A. Fort Marion, the oldest fort extant
In the United States, was started In 1917
by the Spanish to protect st. Augustine,
the first permanent white settlement in
this country. 1t guarded the north inlet
OF the Matanzas River A symmetrically
shaped, four-sided structure, it is con-
structed in the fashion developed by
Vauban, the great French military engi-
neer. Surrounded by a moat 40 feet
wide, its only entrance is across draw
bridge. The great walls are from Q to
II feet thick.
@. How many pairs Of womens stock
ings are purchased annually?-M. p. R.
A. The National Association of Hosiery
Manufacturers says that in 1899 con-
sumption Of women's full-fashioned ho-
siery amounted to 43,078, 900 dozen pairs,
with retail value Of $463, 500 900.
@. Was duel ever fought between
Aaron Burr and some one by the name
of Churchill. D.
A. On trivial provocation Aaron Burr
challenged and fought duel with Ben
jamin Silliman Church, but after an
exchange of shots they reached an
amicable arrangement. This duel was
fought a short time before Burrs duel
with Hamilton.
@. How many radio stations in the
United States are owned by news
papers?-J. F.
A. The 1910 Yearbook Of Broadcasting
says that 269 radio stations in the United
States are owned in whole or part by
newspaper or other publishing interests.
@. Who won the prize for the best
novel written by teacher?-L. PC.
A. The $1,000 award made by the Dial
Press for the best original novel with a
scholastic background was won by Sophia
Belzer Engstrand of Chicago for her
novel, Miss Munday."
O. In what country are the largest
number of patents granted?-L. w. s.
A. In 1888 the United States led all
countries in the number of patents
granted, with total of 3s,425. Next in
order were Great Britain with 1884.
Germany with 'l5,068 and France with