Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-05-09
BY THE HASKIN SERVICE

by The HASkIN SERVICE.
@. What Is the average age OF
Civil War veterans now on the
United States pension rolls?-J. T
A. On February %, 1915, there
were 274 Civil War veterans still on
the pension rolls. OF these the old
est was 1903; the average age was 90
@. What Is the extent Of illiteracy
in the United States?-O. E. r.
A. 1t is estimated that 96 per cent
Of all persons over 10 years Of age
can read and write.
@. What is the busiest corner in
the world?-E. L. H.
A. No recent count has been made
to determine the busiest corner in
the world. In the past it has been
claimed that Seventh avenue and
Broadway, Los Angeles; Hyde Park
corner in London and Columbus
Circle, New York City, have been
the busiest.
@. What can be done to stop the
squeaking Of an old rocking chair?-
H. w. S.
A. The creaking Of chairs indi-
Gates that the joints have become
loose and that movement of the
Joined members is taking place.
Joints in furniture often involve
gluing wood members with the grajl
directed at right angles in the two
members, and may become loose as
a result of many years of alternate
shrinking and swelling of the wood.
Regluing the loose joints will usually
correct the difficulty.
@. May an American soldier sta
toned in Italy marry an Italian
girl?-C. F. r.
A. A United States soldier sta
toned abroad must have permission
OF his overseas commander to marry
an alien and must wait for 80 days
after his application before the mar
riage can take place.
@. When the Purple Heart is sent
to the next of kin, should 1t be &C
companied by ribbon2-M. c.
A. The War Department says that
when the Purple Heart is sent by
it to the next of kin of Army per-
sonnet the medal is accompanied
by the ribbon, which is for ordinary
wear on the uniform, and on en-
ameled replica of the ribbon for
wear on the lapel of civilian cloth
ing. Any persons who have re-
ceived the medal without at the
same time receiving the ribbon and
the enameled replica of the ribbon
may obtain them by application to
the Adjutant General, War De-
partment, Washington Is, D. C.
@. What grafton was described as
the most eloquent grafton in the
English language"?-C. T. N.
A. Edward Everett's Grafton on
Washington. Originally delivered
in Boston in 1852, it was repeated
more than $50 times in different
cities. The author donated the
proceeds, more than 100000, to the
fund for the purchase of Mount
Vernon.
@. Why is Wednesday popularity
supposed to be the best day for q
wedding?-E. L. H.
A. The idea is probably based on
the old wedding superstition which
is expressed in the following rhyme:
Monday for health, Tuesday for
wealth, Wednesday the best day of
all. Thursday for losses, Friday for
crosses, Saturday no luck at all"
@. How many tons above its own
weight can an Army plane carry?-
r. S.
A. The War Department says that
plane will carry somewhat less
than its own weight In useful load.
The amount. Of course, varies quite
bit in different designs.
@. Who designed the service but
ton issued to discharged veterans?-
M. E. r.
A. The present service button,
popularity known as discharge but
ton" is an adaptation of the one
originally conceived by Gen. John j.
Pershing for veterans OF the First
World War