Evening star., 1940-08-22
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskfn.


A reader can get the ansWer to anu
question of fact BY trrtttng The Eue-
ntno Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
DC. Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. How many books does the average
person read?-C. q.
A, Booksellers of the Nation have
estimated that the average American
reads seven books q year.
@. Why do chains hang from oil
trucks?-E. L. D.
A. The chains which drag from the
rear Of trucks are for the purpose OF
establishing q ground, thus eliminating
the danger Of fire or explosion due to
static electricity.
@. How near does the sun approach
the earth IN winter and summer?-E. s.
A. On January the distance is about
81 100000 miles, while on July ! 1t Is
"a, 100000 miles.
Q. Please compare the per capita IN.
crease in cost Of government In the
United States and Great Britain since
the war-W. M. s.
A. United States Q936-D: Taxes, $40;
expenditures, $66; debt, s263; Q940-
Al taxes. $50; expenditures, s104; debt,
1851. Great Britain Qe36-D: Taxes,
$81; expenditures, $93; debt, $703: 1940-
4D taxes, $l35; expenditures, 1854; debt,
s1,025.
@. How much paint is required to
paint the United States Capitol7-K.
M. o.
A. Twenty-Five hundred gallons OF
paint are used for the central portion
of the building and the inside and out
side Of the dome. The wings are marble
and do not require painting.
Q. When was the first Colonial mint
established?-H. J. K.
A. The Massachusetts Colony estab-
lished in 1850 its first mint and there
the famous Pine Tree and Oak Tree
shillings, much priced by collectors,
were struck.
@. What Senator referred to the
seventh column?-H. w. r.
A. Senator Lundeen referred to the
seventh column in the Senate on June
II. 1940 as follows: 1T is the seventh
column in the United States, the
column of intervention and war. 1t
takes no account of America and its
interests. We are second, they are
always first. They consider us gulnble
and inferior. and have brazenly pro-
claimed it to the world"
Q. Where was the airplane crash In
which Martin johnson was killed.
H. L. j.
A. The explorer was killed on Janu-
ary II, 1887, when a passenger plane
from Salt Lake City for Los Angeles hit
a mountain Is miles from Burbank,
Calf.
@. What color is baby golden eagle2
C. N. B.
A. The young Of the golden eagle are
born covered with white down.
@. Can the President declare war;
J.E.G.
A. Congress alone has the power to
declare war. 1t must pass a resolution
to that effect, which is then signed by
the President.
Q. What will restore the Iuster to
amber beads?-C. r. B.
A. Genuine amber beads may be
frightened by rubbing with soft chamois
skin. No liquid or chemical should be
used.
@. What is the purpose Of the North
and South American trade cartel?-
B. B. G.
A. The purpose Of the proposed trade
cartel between North and South America
is to increase consumption in the two
Americas of surplus commodities Of
other countries in this hemisphere. 1t
includes plans for storage, financing and
temporary disposition Of surplus not
Immediately disposed of. The intention
is to provide a market in this hemisphere
for goods ordinarily shipped to European
countries, particularly Germany.
Q. Who was the first aviation me-
chanic?-C. P. S.
A. The magazine United States Air
Services says that Charles Edwards
Taylor was the worlds first aviation
mechanic. He began working for Or
vile and Wilbur Wright in 1901. In
May, 1887 Mr.. Taylor became connected
with the Edison Institute at Dearborn.
Mich, where he is engaged in helping
reconstruct the Wright shop.
@. Who made the keynote address at
the Democratic convention in 1892
E. w.
A. The address was delivered by
Senator Alben Barkley Of Kentucky.
Q. How many religious sects are op-
posed to war?-B. B.
A. The members of over 80 individual
religious bodies are listed as conscientious
directors. These include the Quakers and
the Mennonites.