Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-01
Hoskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdsktn.

A reader can get the ansDer to any
question of fact by torittng The Eue.
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. C. Please inclose stamp TOR reply.
@. How are the members Of the draft
boards to be appointed?-L. T.
A. They will be nominated by the Gov
ernors of the several States and ap-
pointed by the President.
@. What Is the smallest mammal that
is found in the United States?-H. S.
"A. The pigmy shrew. Shrews are
great fighters and yoracious eaters. They
will starve to death in q few hours II
sufficient food is not available. This is
because shrews are very nervous and
active and digestion is so rapid that they
need great deal Of food to keep them
alive.
@. Can you tell me briefly some Of the
things pre-school child should Know?
B. r.
A. He should be able to speak clearly
and with confidence, to give his full
name, address and telephone number,
and know basic safety rules, such as
the observance of red and green traffic
lights. In addition he should be able
to wash his face and hands, and dress
himself completely.
@. How did the Hessian fly get its
name?-S. H.
A. Native to Europe, it is said to
have been introduced to this country IN
the straw bedding used by the Hessians
who were brought over during the Revo-
lutionary War
@. Was Paderewski considered child
prodigy?-T. F.
A. He was not. At the age Of 7 he
was given lessons, but his teacher sug-
gested that he would make a much
better trombone player than pianist.
@. am 81 years of age. Can I volun-
teer for military service?-L. S.
A. Voluntary enlistments in the Army
will be accepted for one year.
@. Where do the highest tides In the
United States occur?-A. J. D.
A The Coast and Geodetic Survey says
that the largest tides in the United
States proper occur in the vicinity Of
Calais Me, where the mean range is
20 feet and the spring range Is 22.8
feet.
Q. What are supersonic notes.
WJH
A. They are sound vibrations with
frequency too great to be perceived by
the human ear. The upper limit OF
audibility varies considerably with differ
ent persons but may be anywhere from
$4,000 to 10000 vibrations second.
@. Please furnish me the percentage
of cities in the United States that have
commission governmental. H. D.
! A. Seventeen per cent, or BOT Of all the
/ cities in the United States having a
population of 5000 or over in 1880, have
q commission form of government.
@. Will you please tell me the chief
value of first-line battleships9-w.
A. Battleships are the backbone Of the
! fleet. They have great offensive and de-
fensive strength and mount guns Is
| large as Is inches. The battlesi1ip is
| designed to deliver and Withstand harder
blows than any other type Of ship. 1t
is a powerful means of defense against
blockade and aerial invasions from over
sea.
@. Has the President the right to de-
clare war by himself?-F. P.
A. According to the Constitution, Con-
! gress alone has the power to declare
war. The resolution declaring war must
pass the Senate and the House, and be
! sent to the President for his signature
He does not have the power to declare
war himself.
O. Where is the little park in New
| York City where Peter Minuit bought
the island of Manhattan from the
Indians?-W. w. w.
A. The New York Historical Society
of New York City says that there is no
| authentic information as to the exact
| spot on which Peter Minuit met the
| Indians at the time of the purchase Of
| MdlllldlIdIl 1Sldllu.
@. I should like some information
about cove oysters. Why are they so
| called?-W. G. H.
A. Cove oysters are large single oysters
so called because they are generally
found in coves.
@. For whom is the poinsettia named7
| "A Mem.
A. The plant is named for Joel Roberts
Poinsett Q779-185D, South Carolina
statesman and diplomatist. Mr.. Poin-
sett was United States Minister to
Mexico from 1925 to 1929 and 1t was he
who introduced the flower from Mexico
and exhibited 1t at horticultural dis
play in Philadelphia in 1929.
@. How old word is protein7-W. B. H.
| A. This term was coined in 1889 by
Dutch chemist, G. J. Mulder.
| @. What has become OF Judge Ben
Lindsey of Juvenile Court fame?-C.B.
A. He is Judge Of the Children's Court
| of Cancellation at Los Angeles, Calf.