The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-22
POLICE WILL WATCH THE FLAGS.
The Flag Dissertation Law Read to IN hem. q n,
10 Is TO BE Enforced.

u I, to BE Enforced.
The Captain OF every precinct In Greater
New York has read to his men. in compliance
with an order from Chief Devcry. this commu-
nication from District Attorney Gardiner:
Il have the honor to transmit herewith a
complaint under section go Of the Penal Code.
subdivision Ia. concerning desecration OF the
American flag. The act referred TO is known
as chapter - Of the Laws Of 1899. The act
was drawn by myself and after Its passage
by the Legislature. was approved by
the present Executive.
AS a national Presidential election Is ap-
preaching there will undoubtedly be many
violations Of this statute by persons who
do not know of It's provisions. but who. upon
being informed Of the prohibition. will I'M
doubleday conform.
Probably " patrolmen we're informed Of the
existence Of the statute, 40 that when they see an
American flag about TO be raised which vio-
lates Its terms. they can notify the owners. and
1t will 30 on result that we shall have no violation
OF the statute.
4 think this Is an excellent law with which
all good citizens can be pleased. The lag is
the emblem OF our sovereignty and nationality.
and to be respected because 1t Is
~ dCt " WHhOu Soi' paiuulcE Tti6IS DtcdIu6
alaw Feb. "a. 1899. and reads "a follows:
ANY person who. in any manner. for eIhi-
billion or display. places or causes to be placed,
any inscription. design, device. symbol, name.
advertisement. words. characters, MARKS, or
notice whatever upon any flag. stand,r1. color
or ensign Of the United States or State az Of
this State or ensign evidently purporting TO be
either Of said flags. standards, colors or ensigns,
l. A., n,v ..Aa-nr An-a-1. --u-1 -.
aflxes or causes to be appended. annexed.
or affixed to any such flag. standard. color or
ensign. any inscription. design. device. SYM
boil, name, advertisement. words, marks,
notice or token whatever, or who displays or
exhibits or causes TO be displayed or exhibited
any ,,o tag ,D,,s siand stnis. color Sl Or eni ,tn
STATE tn' or f flag. standard. color or ensign e evi,
IDENTITY purporting to be either Of said flags,
standards. colors, or enslsns upon which shall
any SI inscription -hta q design. deSiee. adyertsement..
words, marks. notice or token whatever, or
who U,SsrI pnSliSS s;.u %ut I'll ssAss tr aSn 6f .u Sgon n,s or
s etnsaxlds o eoIofs or q! e asasS an" wsh 81 I s4G any nAS x
said flags. standards. colors OF, ensiSlns arg
public Oh. private property. shall be deemed
sver. that q, t { %is sssnaa aHG.' co a51y' or ans hSS.
United States. or of this State. may have in
sGF. sDymSois pn%ss t 3a sSf1G psIsu SGsd 70 i %s'e os
authorized regulations"
The act took effect Sept. /, 1909. At Police
Headquarters yesterday II was said that no one
would be allowed to use the flag as a campaign
banner. and that when painted upon any sub
stance 1t would be considered as much Of a
flag as II II we're OF woven substance. In pur-
suance Of this Interpretation OF this law there
will be found plenty OF room for police activity.
One Of the prominent theatres OF the city has
been accustomed to attract the eye OF the
pasSerby with the representation OF the flag,
composed OF colored electric lights. In like
gardens and other places OF leisure, the eye Of
the viglant policeman may fall upon the flag
used In the nature Of an advertisement.