Evening star., 1940-01-03
Hoskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hasktn.

A reader can get the ansDer to any
question of fact by Drtting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. C. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Q. Please give the history of the Christ
mas hymn Silent Night"-W. v. H.
A. The music of Silent Night" was.
composed by Franz Gruber, an Austrian
organist, and the words by Josef Mohr, a
clergyman. Desiring some new music TO-
the Christmas service, the two collabo-
rated and the song was written on Christ
mas Eve in 1918. 1t was sung for the
first time the following day in the Parish
Church of st. Nicholas at Oberdorf
@. Is President Roosevelt insured by
the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation?
If so, for what amount?-N N.
A. President Roosevelt is insured by
the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation
for $560,0OO. The annual premiums Of
this insurance are paid directly by the
foundation, which completely controls
the insurance and all of its prerogatives
and assets.
@. What newspaper in the United
States had the first rotogravure section?
w. B F.
A. On April s. 1914, the New York
Times published the first rotogravure
section, consisting of eight pages. The
paper was printed on presses imported
from Germany by the late Adolph S.
Ochs.
@. How many bells are there in the
carlton at Duke University?-L. S. F.
A. The carlton consists of SO bells, the
largest being 6 feet inches wide at the
mouth and weighing II 200 pounds The
total weight of all the bells is $500
pounds.
@. Please describe sable-D. B.
A. The sable is small mammal be-
longing to the weasel family. 1t is native
to Siberia and is closely related to the
North American pine marten. The ami
NAL is usually not over foot and half
in length. Its fur, which covers even the
feet and soles, is lustrous dark brown,
with grayish-yellow spots on the sides of
the neck. Sables are somewhat difficult
to capture and are caught in traps espe-
cially designed to prevent injury to their
valuable fur
Q. How tall is Paul v. McNutt, admin
istrator of the Federal Security Agency?
w NC.
A. He is 6 feet inches in height.
Q. What is the largest fish ever caught
in Florida waters?-L. P.
A. On June 2, 1912, Capt. Charles
Thompson harpooned whale shark off
Knights Key which weighed 26, ,594 pounds
and was 38 feet long with a girth of IS
feet.
ton of the word brochure *. D.
A. The word is pronounced as if spelled
bro shur, with the accent on the second
syllable.
@. Where is the largest sheep shipping
market in the United States?-C. T.
A. The largest sheep-shipping market
in the world is Denver, Colo.
Q. Who were the saints whose voices
inspired Joan of Arc?-E. c. P.
A. According to tradition, the voices of
the Archangel Michael, St. Margaret of
Antioch and st. Catherine of Alexandria
urged Joan of Arc to deliver France.
@. Please give the average price per
head of horses and mules in the United
States.-L. A. H.
A. In 1888 there we're II ,128,0OO horses
on farms, valued at an average of $50 SO
per head. In the same year there were
4,428, 900 mules on farms, valued at $12265
per head.
@. How can young man enlist in the
Finnish Army?-W. D.
A. The Finnish Legation says that
Americans are not eligible for enlistment
in the Finnish Army. 1t is contrary to
the neutrality law for American citizens
to enlist in foreign army.
@. Is saccharin considered good Sub
stitute for sugar?-A. T.
A. Although saccharin is much sweeter
than sugar, it is in no sense sugar SUBJ
stitute, because it has no food value A
half-grain tablet takes the place of the
average amount of sugar used in sweet
ening cup Of coffee.
@. Where is the Graveyard of the At
lantic"?-N H. S.
A. Sable Island was once so called. It
is low sandy island about 100 miles off
the southern coast of Nova Scotia More
than 200 wrecks have occurred near the
treacherous Cape Sable, which juts out
into the Atlantic at the southern extrem-
ity of the island. The Canadian govern
ment maintains there life-saving sta
ton, wireless telegraph station and a
lighthouse. Regular Coast Guard patrols
in the vicinity also lessen the hazards OF
travel.
@. Is there any State which does not
grant divorces?-M. T. R.
A. South Carolina is the only State in
the Union which does not grant divorces
for any cause whatever.
@. What is the source of the quotation
From ghosties and ghoulies and long
leggity beasties and things that go Boup
in the night Good Lord deliver lIS"?-