Evening star., 1940-07-05
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin.

A reader can get the ans,Der to any
question OF fact by 1oriting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric j. Haskin, director, Washington,
ID. C.. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q. Is it true that the candidacy Of
Wendell Willkie started from a want ad
in newspaper?-F. c. B.
A. Oren Root, young attorney in
New York, put notice in the want ad
section of one of the New York news
papers, requesting any one in favor Of
Mr.. Wiukie for President to respond. He
got so many replies that Mr.. Wilkes
extraordinary campaign was soon under
way. In his speech before the National
Press Club Mr.. Willkie stated that he
had paid all of his personal expenses out
OF his own pocket and had not used any
OF the money raised by Mr.. Root.
Q. Would you please inform me as
to the number of Catholic and Jewish
soldiers in the American Expeditionary
Force in the World War?-I. L.
A. The total number of the armed
force of the United States during the
World War was 100000 Of these,
about 100000 were Roman Catholics
and 100000 Jewish.
@. Who was the first President of the
United States to wear long trousers?-
r. M.
A. Thomas jefferson.
@. What exiled monarchs are now
living in England?-L M
A. Former Emperor Halle Selassie Of
Ethiopia, Queen Wilhelmina of the
Netherlands, King Zog of Albania and
King Haakon of Norway have sought
refuge in England.
@. Which ton is used for shipping in
the United States and England?-R.
A. The long ton, of 2,24O pounds
avoirdupois, which is called also gross
ton or shippers ton. This is the ton
most commonly used in England gen.
orally. The short ton of 1000 pounds is
used more in the United States, in Cana
da, in South Africa and in Liverpool,
England.
@. Where are the most important
iron deposits in Europe?-M. M. E.
A. In order of size these are: The
great iron field of the Lorraine Basin,
in northeastern France and Luxembourg:
the Krivoi Rog district in the Southern
Ukraine, in Russia, and the famous
Norbotten district in Northern Sweden.
1t was the latter that made the capture
of the port of Narvik. Norway, such a
prize. 1t is the largest single known
deposit in the world.
@. Please give some information about
the explosion in Halifax Harbor-B. S.
A. The explosion occurred on Decem-
Der 6, 1917. 1t was caused by the colli-
sion of two ships, one carrying a cargo
of war munitions. The north end of the
city and Dartmouth on the east side Of
the harbor were devastated. Besides
1.l58 dead and 1000 injured, 10000
were rendered homeless. Some 1900
buildings were destroyed and 10000
damaged. The property loss were esti.
mated at $50 100000.
@, Can ivy poisoning be acquired
merely by passing to the windward side
of poison ivy plant?-C. D.
A Small oil particles containing the
poison are carried on dust and pollen
through the air, and a person may be
poisoned in this fashion under some cir
cumstances.
@. How many electors were there in
the first presidential election?-O. E.S.
A. The first election of a President
was called for on September 13, 1888.
BY that time, eleven of the original States
had ratified the Constitution. North
Carolina and Rhode Island had not vet
ratified and took no part in the first
election. The eleven States were advised
to choose electors, who should meet the
following January in their respective
States and cast their electoral ballots.
There would have been 81 electors if all
States had been in the Union. AS it
finally developed, New York did not
choose any electors, and two electors
each in Virginia and Maryland were
absent when the electoral college met.
These absences, with the two missing
States, left SO electors who actually voted,
George Washington was elected Presi-
dent.