Evening star., 1943-09-02
Hoskin's Answers
To Questions
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

4 reader can get the 6nstper 10 snt
question OF tact By Dritiag The ECe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director. Washihgton,
d. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
Q. How many chapiains have lost their
lives in this war?-R. r.
A. The War Department says that
casualties among chaplains Of the Army
Of the United States from December Z.
ls4l to August 10, 1s43, totaled II, dis
tributed as follows: killed. 30: wounded.
8; missing in action, 2; prisoners, %.
@. Is it true that humming birds win
attack birds much larger than Them
selves?-P. P.
A. Humming birds are extremely pug
nacious, especially the females at nest
ing time. and despite their tiny size are
among the most fearless Of birds. They
will attack hawks. eagles and crows,
striking with their long, sharp bills.
Such battles may account for the small.
dark marks often seen on the breasts
Of birds. After the fight the victorious
humming bird usually returns to the
exact spot 1t had left.
@. What does the name 'Iackawannas
mean?-M C. w.
A. "Lackawanna" is 4 Delaware In
dian word meaning - stream that
forks"
O. On what occasion during the Civil
War was the phrase unconditional sur
render" used?-G. NJ B.
A. 1t was used by Gen. u. 9. Grant In
note to Gen. Simon B. Buckner at Fort
Donelson on February is, 1852. A Con-
1ederate soldier with nag Of truce had
brought request for 'the appointment
OF commissioners to agree upon terms OF
capitulation." The actual text Of the
reply was: mo terms except immediate
and unconditional surrender can be
accepted"
q. What is the total quantity Of bombs
that has been dropped on Great Brit
ain?-V. r.
A. The British Information Service
says that from the beginning of the eur
rent war to the end of July, 1e43, II 900
tons Of bombs have been dropped on
Britain.
z. Why. Is American money accepted
IN Mexico restricted to q bills?-E. L. n
A. This is because very few such biI1s
have fallen into Axis hands whereas II i.
known that large amounts Of United
States currency of other denomination,
have come under the control of thu
aggressors.
Q. How many carnivals tour the United
States In normal times?-L. w.
A. There are several hundred carni.
walls, large and small, with from is to Ao
railroad cars in normal times, and with
motorized units numbering q dozen 70
more than 50.
q. When was the first knighthood be.
stoweo upon an actor7-G. A. A.
A. In 1895 Henry Irving was knisnted.
the first actor ever accorded this horor
O. Are forest rangers being trained IA
parachute tumping7-L. M.
A. The Forest Service Saws that .or,.
Of its forest rangers have beSn river
instruction In parachute jumping. This
training has been necessary for rangers
assigned to isolated areas in the States
Oh 1oaho and Montana. This type of for.
est ranger work is temporary and the
men are only employed for two or three
months during the summer.
Q. What can be used To drive xnakes
away?-W. d. H.
"A. Inc Fish and Wild Life Service
says that snakes are extremely hard Ia
trap. The most practical vay ia tn ana
their holes and kill them by sufYocation
WIN carbon dioxide or carbon monoxids
gas sucn as comes from the exhaust nina
OF an automobile. This will kill them
immediately provided they are caught
IN mole with only one entrance An
otner more difficult method is To die .
Ialrly deep, steep wall trench conplets,v
surrounding the premises to be protected,
Q. When the Pan-American Hizhvay
Is completed, how will automobiles cross
the Panama Canal?-M. M.F
A. At present, automobiles and oth.y
Fehlcies using the Pan-Americsn Hirh.
way IN Panama cross the Canal at pan-
anna City on n well-operated ferry. Ths
construction Of bridge over the canal
at tnls point has been given q good deal
Oh consideration but no plans for such q
structure have been prepared. and It Is
thought quite unlikely that 1t will be
deemed important to replace the ferry
service for some years to come.
Q. How long has sulfanilamide been
known?-G. U. A.
"A. In 1908 an Austrian student named
Geimo discovered compound which was
gwen the name sulfanilamide, and de-
scrloed 1t In thesis submitted to thu
University of Vienna for his doctors de-
gree. For many years, however neither
ne nor other scientists discovered .nv
use for 1t.
A Little Doo md