The morning times., 1896-02-06
Flag MUST Be HONORED
Senator Hanshrough's Measure
to Prevent Its Dissertation.
Mr.. HoAR is OPPOSED TO IT
Reports the Bill Favorably From the
Judiciary Committee With an
Amendment, Bnt Serves Notice
That He May Be Against 1t w hat
Is Proposed 10 BE Done.

The bill to prevent the desecration of the
national flag has hard times before it.
1t has just been reported back from the
Committee on Judiciary favorabiy and with
an amendment This just barely passed
the committee.
Four bills were before the committee, all
differing in the wording. The amendment.
which was adopted by majority OF one
vote, changes the original bill. AS amended
ii reads:
THAT the national flag or the coat of
arms of the United States, or any imitation
or representation thereof, shall not be at
tached to or imprinted or represented upon
any goods, wares, or merchandise, or any
advertisement OF the same. And no goods,
wares, or merchandise. or any nyadvertisement
OF the same, shall be attached TO the ma
tional flag or the coat of arms OF the United
States, and no such advertisement shall be
imprinted thereon. ANY violation OF this
act shall be punishable, on cGaviction in
either OF the circuit or district courts of
the United States or the supreme court OF
the District OF Columbia or the courts OF
the territories, within their respective juris-
dictions. by fine of $50 for each offense."
MR.. HoAR'S VIEWS.
Mr. Hoar, in reporting back favorably
the bill with amendment. said: Il desire
to be permitted TO say for myself that while
i voted in committee for this report in
order that the matter which Is interesting
so many people, might come before the
Senate, the more think OF it, the more
! there seems To be in the way OF objection
| to any legislation upon the subject.
| :" do not wish to have Ii understood that
I shall support the bill. even in its amended
| form. in the Senate. 1t is u very difficult
thing TO do with, and whether it would not
be better TO leave it to the good taste
and good sense of private citizens L yer!
much question
| The chief opposition comes from the peo-
pie who have been using the flag in some
of their copyrighted trade marks. legal
question has arisen, and it may be necessary
for change OF the copyright laws TO be
made. This it is which is causing the great
est trouble, and bringing out the greatest
opposition to the measure.
Friends Of the manufacturers and copy
! right trade mark people have already served
notice that they must be taken care of. Mr..
| Hansbrough, who has charge of the measure,
has promised TO agree TO an amendment Civ
ing these people six months or year TO
| get rid of the stock they now have on hand.
Hundreds of letters are being received
daily by ,nembers-ef the Senate. urging the
passa ge of the bill. All the patriotic societies
OF the country have taken il up. and in the
petitions which have come TO the judiciary
Committee are the names of some of the most
widely known gentlemen of the country.
They all want it passed.
Mr.. HANsBRoUGH TALKS.
Mr.. Hansbrough is responsible for the
bill. Years ago, before he was member
of Congress. he used to notice how tbs
flag was used, for advertising purposes
| He even saw it burned on whisky and beer
bottles and beer kegs. He made up his
mind if it ever came his way he would dc
| something to stop it.
In 1890, while a member of the House OF
Representatives, such a bin was passed
| But it never passed the Senate. Last yeal
it came up again. hut failed to pass. This
time it is hoped it will go through. In
| speaking of the measure, Mr.. Hansbrougf
| said:
The object OF the bill is to prevent the
| desecration Of the flag. All the patriotic
societies are hack of it, Sons and Daughters
OF the Revolution. Societies of the Colonia
Wars. Grand Army posts, and the Nationa
| Guard OF the various States. These bodies
have written letters to me and TO The
Judiciary Committee.
Il don't know the ground of objection
j hear there is TO the bill, except it comes
from the trade marks people. / have
no objection to an amendment giving thes,
people six months or year before the la v
went into effect. Isthink when the ques
ton comes up / will have no difficult,
in explaining matters to the satisfaction
of the Senators who are opposing it now.
II expect to call the bill up in a few
days. I hope to have it passed at once