Evening star., 1943-10-04
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. Hdsktn.

This offer for serDtce does not include
discussion OF domestic problems. 1t
is better to talk these matters oper
Dtth relatives or close personal
friends. In Driting do not use post
cards. Address your inquiry to The
EUentng Star Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Hasktn, director, Wash
tngton, D. c., and tnclose stamp for
return postage.
Q. When was Messina, Sicily, destroyed
by an earthquake7-T. H.
A. The earthquake occurred on De-
cember %, 1908, when the city was
largely destroyed In IS seconds. More
than half the Inhabitants were killed,
Q. Are ostrich eggs used for food7-
L. I. F.
A. Natives Of Africa relish ostrich eggs.
single one OF which contains as much
as two dozen hens eggs. The shells
may be inches long and when empty
are used as pots.
@. What were the first and last plays
A. Dating the plays is one of the most
difficult problems of Shakespeare schol-
arship. The earliest were probably The
Comedy of Errors" Two Gentlemen of
Verona" and Loves Labour's Lost"
However, Titus Andronicus" may ante
date them. The Tempest" and Henry
the Eighth" are believed to be the two
last.
@. How many persons lost their lives
in train accidents since 194l?-W. B.
A. The figures are as follows l941,
5,006; 1912, 5,233; l943 (first five months !,
1887.
@. What schools did President Roose-
welt attend?-L. R.
A. Until he was IA, when he went to
Groton, the President was taught by
French and German governesses and BY
tutors. He was graduated from Harvard
in 1904 with the degree A. B. He then
attended the Columbia University law
school, 1904-19o7 He was admitted to
the bar in 1907.
@. Please list the needed inventions
recently named by Prof. Fink of Colum-
bia University.-A. w.
A. They are as follows: A more eff
clent electric light, an improved auto
mobile gas engine. rain and sun proof
paint for wooden structures, an alloy Of
aluminium as resistant to fatigue as
steel, metal or other material to take
the place of copper and lead, material
as good as leather for shoes.
O. A submarine recently was named
Tinosa. What kind Of fish is this?-
c. McC
A. The tinosa is large black tropical
carangoid fish, SO poisonous that its sale
is prohibited in some countries.
Q. What is the retirement age for
justices of the Supreme Court of the
United States?-L. H.
A. The law does not require Supreme
Court justices to end their service at
any particular age However, a justice
who has reached the age of 70 and who
has served for 10 years may retire on
pension equivalent to full pay.
O. In what year did the kissing bugs"
appear in great numbers?-N. B. G.
A. Paul Griswold Howes says that in
1898 this bug suddenly became unusually
common. 1t was one of the typical
heaked insects of the large family known
as assassin bugs, its bite extremely pain
full. The result was a kissing bug"
scare
Q. What is the symbolism of the un-
finished pyramid and eye on our paper
money?-E. H. NJ
A. The unfinished pyramid signifies
strength and duration The eve over 1t.
and the motto allude to the inner posi-.
tlons of providence in favor of the Amer
lean cause.
Q. Is 1t correct for the bride to buv
the bridegroom's wedding ring?-W H.
A. The bride buys the wedding ring Of
the groom and places it on his finger.
@. Who coined the word normally?
H. o.
A. The Oxford Dictionary traces the
word "normalcy" as far back as 1857. In
that year 1t appeared in Davies and
Peck's Mathematical Dictionary In his
hrst message to Congress President
Harding urged "a return to normalcv."
Q. How large were the loaves of sugar
sold in the early days?-J. B.
A. The great loaves or cones of sugar
averaged from to 10 pounds apiece.
@. What is the explanation of tina
action OF the ouija board?-J. Ell.
A. Exhaustive study OF the phe-
nomena Of the ouija board has led to
the conclusion that its movement is due
to unconscious muscular action.
@, Please give some information
about the National Academy of Sciences.
r. B.
A. This institution was founded for
the purpose Of examining any subject
OF science or art, and for making the
reports of special investigations at the
call of the United States Government.
which makes appropriations for the ex-
pense OF special examinations and re.
ports. There are honorary members and
foreign associates. The members Of tho
academy must be American citizens.
Only the most distinguished scientific
men are selected. Membership is honor
ary. The members are not paid.
In nfnvo+ta Dab