Evening star., 1940-12-03
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
Bv Frederic J. Hdskfn.

By Frederic J. Hasktn.
A reader can get the dns,oer to dny
question OF fact BY prtttng The Ere.
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hdsktn. director, Washington.
D. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. What kind Of liquid will boil quicker
than water?-H. T.
A. The National Bureau of Standards
says that only volatile liquid, such as
alcohol will boil more quickly than
water.
@. How much runway is required for
a passenger airplane to take OFF,. c.
A. Depending upon the load In the
aircraft and velocity and direction Of
the wind, the average takeon is COM
pleted in from 800-1 900 feet of runway
from the time the throttles are advanced
to takeof position.
@. What prizes are awarded by Hitler
to mothers Of large families?-D. s. r.
A. The awards consist Of gold crosses
for mothers Of eight or more children,
silver crosses for those with six or seven,
and bronze crosses for those with four
or five.
@. How large a vocabulary has
child just entering school?-W. E.
A. Studies in children's vocabularies
conducted at the University of Iowa
show that the average vocabulary used
by child 6 years old is $500 words.
@. What is the most densely populated
place in the world?-O. G. B.
A. Before the Chinese and Japanese
war it was estimated that Kiangsu Prov
tnce. China, with $500 square miles and
33,700000 people was the most densely
populated political unit in the world. It
had density Of population Of 874 per-
sons per square mile.
@. Is it possible to see a rainbow at
| night?-R. j.
A. The rainbow may appear any time
OF the day or night. 1t appears when
ever we see rain in front of us on which
the sun or moon, while not too far above
the horizon, is shining from behind US.
The night rainbow is not often seen, be-
cause, owing to the paleness Of moon
light, it never is very conspicuous.
@. How many West Point graduates
served in the World War;. R.
A. The total number of graduates of
the United States Military Academy in
the United States Army during the
World War was 3,445. of which number
95 served as emergency officers.
@. When was steam heat first used in
| passenger trains?-G. c. R.
A. Steam-heated passenger cars were
! introduced in 1881.
| @. How much of the land surface Of
the United States is desert?-L. A.. s.
A. Desert covers about % per cent Of
the land.
| @. Who are the members Of the Ma
tional Defense Council?-J. j.
A. The commissioners Of the National
Defense Council are: William S. Knud-
sen, industrial production; Edward r.
Stettinius, jr., industrial materials; Sid
ney Hillman, employment; Chester c.
Davis, farm products; Ralph Budd.
transportation: Leon Henderson, price
stabilization, and Harriet Elliott, con-
| sumer protection.
Q. Why is the name Faber associated
with lead pencils?-C. TIP.
| A. Johann Won Faber O8I7-1ses) was
a German manufacturer of lead pencils.
He enlarged his business to international
proportions and added all kinds Of writ
ing, drawing and painting materials. He
received patent of nobility and an an.
pointment as counselor of state for his
services to German industry.
@. What is the Currecanti Needle?-
MD.
A. This is one of the striking scenic
features of the Black Canyon or Grand
Gorge OF the Gunnison River In Colo
RADIO. 1t is a massive pinnacle of highly
colored rock, hundreds of feet in height.
and tapering at the top to q somewhat
pointed spire.
Q. How many Filipinos are there in
the World?-k. N.
A. There are approximately $4,000 900
members Of this race.
Q. Why is the oak tree symbolic of
good luck?-E. R.. M.
A. The oak was regarded as a sacred
| Tree by the Druids, and many curious
oehefs In its power to bring good for
tune are current. Among the Kentucky
mountalneers. it is said that washing
In water that stands in an oak stunnn
VIII remove freckles. 1t is considered
lucky for miner to skin his back on an
oak board.