Evening star., 1948-08-23
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

Q. What is the most popular, color?-v. I.G.
A. Blue is believed to be the most popular
color among Americans, from the fact that
more blue-colored products are sold than any
other.
Q. Can the behavior Of animals bs accepted
to any extent as an indication Of weather to
come?-N. E. r.
A. Although the behavior Of animals and
birds has often been used to forecast coming,
weather, careful observation has convinced OBJ
servers that the. popular beliefs are, for the
most part, groundless.
Q. When will the present Federal rent son.
troll expire?-M M
A. The present Federal rent control lesis-
lation which is the Housing and Rent Act
OF 1948 will expire at the close Of March 81.
ls49. Prior to that date, some areas, or por-
tions OF areas. may be decontrolled in ac-
cordance with the provisions Of the act, where
1t is determined that the demand for rental
accommodation has been recently met.
q. When was the '1oop- the loop" nrst pop.
ular In amusement parks?-M H. II.
A. The "loop-the-loop" made its appearance
IN 1901 and for time was exceedingly pop
ular as a thrilling experience. In this device
riders travelled at high speed and zoomed into
complete vertical loop. Centrifugal force
kept them from falling out Of the open cars.
1t was demonstrated that glass of water
could be carried on the trip without q drop
being spilled.
Q. What Is the fastest running snake In the
United States?-C. H. s. -.
A. According to the Fish and Wildlife serv-
Ice the western whipsnake of the family OF
racers Is probably the fastest snake in Amer
lea. 1t can run at about miles an hour.
The blue racer is the fastest snake in the
ayaA
miles to miles per hour.
@. Please explain the figures $500 and 250x
5000 as used in reference to sporting rifles
H. L. D.
A. In sporting rifles, the designation 1920
means that the rife is caliber rs and its
cartridge Is loaded with 20 grains of black
powder. Similarly. the 1886 is caiiber SO
and IS grains. However, this rule was not
followed in the Savage 250x3000 Here the $50
is the usual caliber (-25) but the 5000 refers to
the velocity of the bullet Oeet second.
@. What are the educational requirements
for entering the officer candidate school Of the
Army?-G. E. W.
A. The Department of the Army says that
In accordance with WD AGO Circular 1ol,
1947 each applicant for entrance to officer
candidate school training must have completed
minimum Of high school or an accredited
preparatory school of equal educational level.
Those individuals who have not completed
minimum Of high school or an accredited
preparatory school Of equal educational level
are given the opportunity to take the United
States Armed Forces Institute General Educa-
ton Development Test, which is Of high school
level, and il the applicant passes this test, It.
Is acceptable as equivalent to completion Of
high school.
q
O. Where did the sarong originate7-B. o. Ii
A. Sarong, derived from the Malay "saron,"s
is the name of the typical garment worn by
both sexes in the Malay Archipelago, Ceylons
and parts Of India. 1t consists Of a long strip
of cloth worn as a petticoat and tucked In
around the waist The men sometimes add
a sort of vest or short jacket and the womens
bandage of cloth around the bust, underss
the arms