Evening star., 1940-02-28
Hoskin's Answers
TO Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hasktn.

A reader can get the ans,oer to dny
question OF fact by ,oytttng The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred.
eric J. Hdsktn, director, Washington,
D. c. Please trclose stamp for reply.
Q. Why do the ropes on the rigging
OF British ships have red threads run
ming through them?-L. d. M.
A. This is q precaution against theft.
The red thread indicates that the ropes
are government property and any one
buying q rope SO marked would know
that 1t had been stolen.
Q. What does noblesse oblige mean7
C. 1.
A. The phrase is interpreted as the
obligation Of person Of gentle birth
and cultured rearing toward those less
privileged.
Q. Did Carlton Kadell ever announce
the Amos and Andy programme. H.
A. He announced this program from
the first of January through the middle
Of April, 1887.
@. Who wrote "All Hail the Power Of
Jesus Name"?-H. K. D.
A. The hymn was composed by
Edward Perronet, and published in No
vember, 1779, with number of other
hymns In the Gospel Magazine.
@. Where was the first oil well drilled
In the United States?-G. J.
A. Probably the first Oil we'll in
America was drilled in 1929 near Burkes-
vile, KY. However, this well was being
drilled for salt brine and the discovery
was accidental, the oil being allowed
to flow into the Cumberland River.
The well drilled by Colonel Edwin L.
Drake near Titusville, Pa, in 1859 Is
considered the first well to be drilled
for commercial purposes. It came into
production on August ~. 1859, date
now observed as that of the start Of
commercial production Of oil in tho
United States.
chell serve during the World War;
NIX.
A. Mr.. Winchell was with the United
States Naval Reserve during the World
War and served on the U. S. S. Isis
which was a patrol vessel taken over
from the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
O. Have cotton roads proved sue
cessful?-D. N. c.
A. Results Of one-year study Of
these roads by the National Gotten
Council show that cotton has no ma
terial value for such purposes. The
councils investigation showed that the
tensile strength of the fabric, as used at
the present time, deteriorates to such an
extent as to prevent its playing any
important part in preserving the road
or in reducing materially the main
| tenance cost.
@. Please describe the Painted Desert.
Il. E.
A. The Painted Desert is an area Of
plateaus and low mesas in North Central
Arizona. It extends from the top Of the
Marble Canyon OF the Colorado River
southeastward along the east side Of the
Little Colorado for about 100 miles. The
desert lies at an altitude Of about 5000
feet. It's vast areas Of rocks, mostly
| Triassic shales and sandstones, exhibit q
| great variety of colors, including red,
pink, purple, chocolate lavender, pale
green and gray, whence the name
! painted.
@. Are bananas q source Of vitamins?
s.. K. B.
A. Bananas contain utamins A, B
and G.
O. How much money is spent on in
dustrial research in this country?-W.
H. M.
A. In 1899 American industry spent
approximately $2l5 1000 900 for all types
of research.
@. Has United States postage stamp
ever been issued in honor Of COL Lind
bergh?-J. B. B.
A. To commemorate Col Lindbergh S
transatlantic flight, 10-cent airmail
stamp bearing picture of his airplane,
WIG SPAAV Va ~. AOuAo, WOO AoSOeu O1i
June 10, 1927.
| @. How old is the Wharton School of
| Commerce?-E. T.
A. The Wharton School of Commerce
of the University of Pennsylvania was
established in March, 1881.
Q: Is there any record showing how
much the Masons of the United States
give to charity?-C. G. D.
| A. There is no actual audit, but the
official estimate places the amount at
about $4,000 each day throughout the
year.
@. Who is head Of the organization
opposed to calling sleeping car porters
George?-E. D.
A. Senator Walter r. George Of deor-
gia is president Of the Society for the
Prevention Of Calling Sleeping Car Por-
ters George.
@. What causes ice to freeze on win.
| dow panes in such way as to resemble
| pictures Of leaves and branches Of trees?
g. M w.
A. The Weather Bureau says that
while the reasons for this formation
are not definitely known, 1t is known
that the frost tends to form along min
ute scratches which are present on the
glass as q result of frequent cleaning.