Evening star., 1940-11-12
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin.

A reader can get the dnstCer to any
question OF tact by ,Drittng The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HaSkin. director, Washington.
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q. How much money is there in the
social security fund?-H. C. P.
A. In June, 1910 --latest figures, the
total assets in the old age and survivors
trust fund of the social security were
1,744, $4,000.
Q. What are the most difficult letters
to understand over the telephone?-C.
t.
A. The letters IS" and "F" are said to
be the weakest sounds in the English
language. The ears are least sensitive to
them and they carry the poorest.
Q. How long have poisonous chemicals
been used In warfare?-S. D.
A. The use of poisonous, asphyxiating,
or irritating chemicals in war was at
tempted as early as AIS BIC, when the
SpartanS burned sulphur near the walls
of besieged Athenian cities to drive the
defenders from their positions.
@. Is there name for the white part
of the fingernails commonly called the
half-moons?-C. B. D.
A. 1t is called the lunula
@. What is the oath taken by man
on receiving a commission in the Army?
e. A. G.
A. 1t is as follows; IT (name), having
been appointed (grade) Organization
or arm of service) in the Regular Army
OF the United States, do solemnly swear
(or affirm that I will support and de-
fend the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that 1 will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same; that take this
obligation freely, without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion; and
that I will well and faithfully discharge
the duties Of the Office upon which I am
about to enter: So help me God"
Q. How early was Beethoven afflicted
with deafness?-R. c.
A. In 1893 Beethoven made the dis
maylng discovery that he was going deaf.
His last public appearance as a pianist
was in 1914. BY 1919 conversation with
the composer had to be carried on in
writing.
@. Please give the height of the noun
tain on which Buffalo Bill is buried
c. M
A. The altitude of Lookout Mountain
in Colorado is 1925 feet.
@. How many times did President
Roosevelt nominate Alfred E Smith for
the presidency?-G. G.
A. President Roosevelt placed the
name of Alfred E Smith in nomination
for the presidency at the Democratic
convention on June 26, 1924. at New
York City, and June 27, 1923, at Houston,
Tex.
@. Who invented champagne?-J. R.T.
A. Dom Pierre Perignon, a Benedic-
tine monk in the Abbey of Hautvillers,
France, discovered the process of put
ting bubbles in the wine of that region
more than $50 years ago.
S' ACoSC give lllc OdOS Ol llle
tragedy in Kentucky-R M G..
A. Beach Hargis shot and killed his
father, Judge James Hargis, on February
ls, 1908, in Breathitt County, Ky.
Q. What are the seven follies of SCI
ence?-C. H. B.
A. The so-called follies of science are:
/ The quadrature of the circle; the dupli-
cation of the cube; trisection of the an
gle; perpetual motion; transmutation OF
metals; fixation of mercury; the elixir Of
life.
@. Please give the dimensions Of the
/ Golden Gate Bridge. T. E
A. The Golden Gate Suspension Bridge
has length overall of 8.94O feet: length
of main span, 42OO feet: clearance over
high water (span CENTER, 22O feet:
height of deck above water (at center), ,
266 feet; height of two bridge towers,
746 feet.
@. When will Canada observe Thanks.
giving?-G. S.
A. Canada observed THANKSGIVING on
october A.