Evening star., 1943-09-27


their headquarters tn Washington.
Here the Information Bureau finds
the ANSWERS to many OF the questions
that newspaper readers ask. When
,priting be sure to sign your fun name
and address. Send your question to
The Washington Star Information
Bureau, Frederic j. Hdskin, director,
Washington, d. c. Inclose stamp for
return postage.
@. What countries have the most
homeless people as result Of the WARP
c. E. B.
A. China probably has the most home
less, a total of about $4,000, ,o00 Russia
comes next with 3s,00o.o0o, followed by
Poland. Czechosloyaka. Yugoslavia and
Belgium.
Q. Where do bats spend the winter7--
| r. B. G.
A. In cold climates, bats either migrate
| southwark or seek shelter in caverns,
vaults, abandoned buildings and similar
| retreats. In these they climb together
| in large clusters, hanging head down.
ward, by the feet, and remain in torpid
| condition until the warmth of returning
! spring recalls them to activity.
@. Is it true that Benjamin Franklin
established the first Canadian news
| paper?-R. McF.
A. Benjamin Franklin was the founder
of the Montreal Gazette in 177S during
the temporary occupation of that city
by American forces in the War of the
| Revolution.
@. Why is amethyst sometimes called
bishops stone?-H. H.
A. The name comes from its customary
use in the episcopal ring.
@. Please list the largest county fairs
D. N.
A. The following are some Of the
largest county fairs according to the
Department OF Agriculture: Pomona,
Calf; South Bend, Ind; Clay County,
Iowa, and Spartanburg 8. G.
@. What is the difference between q
map and chart?--N. e. s.
| A. The distinction usually made be-
tween the two terms is that map
represents an area that Is predominantly
land, while chart depicts an area that
is mainly water.
@. How many houses have been de-
stroyed in London during this war?-
E. B. G.
A. In London more than a million
homes out of total of 2,500,00o have
been damaged.
| @. What Is the term applied to words
which are spelled the same but differ in
pronunciation, as, for example, lead
decd, lead 0ed ?-L. w.
A. Such words are called heteronyms.
@. How did the Jews in ancient times
fix the beginnings of the months7-
w. E. B.
A. The months were kept in step with
the moon by the priests, who watched
the western sky Immediately after SUM-
set about the end of the month. If the
crescent new moon could be seen, the
blowing of trumpet announced the new
month. If the weather was cloudy, 80
days was used.
@. When were figs first grown in this
country?-S. B. E.
A. In 1882 Julian p Rexford OF the
San Francisco Bulletin, aided by the
United States consul at Smyrna, i'm
ported $4,000 cuttings of true Smyrna
fig trees into California and distributed
them as good will offerings. However, no
figs developed and 1t was not until some
years later that investigation revealed
the secret. Wild figs and tiny wasp
are needed to fertilize the cultivated fig,
which is exclusively of the female sex.
Q. How many persons have taken Red
Cross first-aid courses?-P. E.B.
A. Since Pearl Harbor, nearly five mil
lion people have taken this course.
@. Can stars be seen In the daytime?
Il. D.
A. Stars cannot be seen in the day.
time with the naked eye because of the
superior light of the sun. With a tele-
scope however, the brighter stars can
be observed and on clear days an as
tronomer can find them Just as readily
at noon as at midnight.
@. Where was Sabu, the motion picture
actor, born?-E. G.
A. Sabu was born at Mysore, India.
@. How does one join the Short Snort
el's Club?-B. J. S.
A. The National Aeronautic Associa-
ton says that since the Short Snorter,s
Is not formal organization, It's consti-
tuition is only a verbal one The en-
trance requirements vary in different
localities. A person who has flown
across the ocean cannot apply for men,
bership; he must be asked to join by
another member and can be initiated
by him.
@. How many different persons have
taken the part of Henry in THE Aldrich
Family" program?-S. E. H.
A. Three. Ezra Stone was the original
Henry, and was followed by Norman
Tokar. Both are now in the service and
the role is played by Dickie Jones Of
Texas
Apple Harvest
The sun of 1Oaning afternoon groUs
pale,
And lip-1Darn Dfnds take on an