Evening journal., 1905-02-01
WOMEN PATRIOTS
ARE PERPLEXED
They Are Worried AS o
How to Salute Old
Glory
OPINIONS FROM AUTHORITIES.

Some months ago Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles H. Beach, Of No. 90 Newman
avenue, Bayonne, N. J., attended a re-
ception at the White House. with
them was their young daughter, Helen.
As she was presented to President
Roosevelt she asked:
"Mr. President, will you kindly tell
me Just how a girl ought 70 salute the
American flag"
The President was stumDed. He re-
taied:
Now, my dear child, if you were
only a hoy l could readily tell you that
the proper way to salute the flag would
be to raise your hat and. then drop
your arm TO your side, but Just how a
girl should salute, really Icannot say"
Miss Helen was disappointed. Since
she returned, the question as TO how
girls should salute the flag has been
taken up by the Bayonne Political So
cial Club. Letters were sent to men
prominent in the army and navy and in
political life, and the club will meet
next Monday afternoon. at which time
the President. Mrs. Alexander Chris
tie VIII read the answers. If the club
decides ia favor OF any OF the sugges-
tions, the members wjll-eadeavor to get
organizations of women throughout the
country to adopt the same methods so
that the question that stumped the
President may be settled for good.
Here are some Of the replies received
by the club:
Admiral George Dewey--I see no ad-
vantage in establishing a form Of sa-
lutte TO the flag which Shall be dis
tinctive with the female sex. The sa-
Lutte which has been employed by men
for many years is given by raising the
right hand TO the forehead and then
dropping the hand, and there seems to
be no reason why ladies and girls
! should not use the same form of sa-
lutte.
Admiral w. S. Schley--I believe a sa-
lutte to the flag by the mothers and
daughters of our land should De made
with the right hand on the heart and
the head reverently bowed, the reason
being that the heart is the home of
love, respect and reverence-the seat
Of all that IS purest. nOblest and best
In our nature. With the right hand
! placed over the heart and the head
neverently bowed in homage to the
symbol which guards the home they
honor and which the modern knight
protects. would seem to me to bring
the salute to the flag made by each into
that happy accord of strength and gem
tleness.
General Fitzhugh Lee-I think an ap-
propriate salute for girl to make to
the flag would be to stand at attention
land kiss her right hand.
/ General Chaffee-If the salute is to
be a ceremony performed in unison by
a number of girls lt is suggested that a
positive act Of salute which might be
performed, and it is believed has been
used for some purposes. and which is
mot ungraceful and quite effective in
lmass. is, at some signal to have the
handkerchief drawn from the belt or
other receptacle and held pendent from
the right hand, the forearm being held
horizontally to the front or upward at
an angle of about As degrees.
Admiral Evans-I find that at many
naval stations the custom has grown in
favor for the ladies' and young girls to
stand at attention and salute the coll
ors the same as the officers do The
only other salute ] can think Of is the
courtesy ] have seen crowds Of ladies
In foreign countries courtesy to the
ruler as he or she passed and IL was
most striking and effective. Such a
salute to our flag, II seems 10 me-
would be most becoming to our women.
Former Secretary of the Navy John
d. Long-I can think of no better sa-
lutte to the nag on the part of women
. than the military one of holding the
open palm at the brim of the hat.
General F. D. Grant--It would seem
to me that the simple bowing of the
head would be correct
Brfgadier General A. L. Mills
} would suggest that girls make a cour.
tesy TO the nag at the moment it passe:
them.
General II. C. Corbln--In our gaIai.
sons. when officers and soldiers salute
the colors It is the custom for all lad
les. young or old. 20 arise and remain
standing during the passing Of the col
ors. This, AZ seems to me, is the mos
satisfactory solution of the question.
General Nelson A. Miies-I do no
think a military salute would be suit
liable would suggest placing the rlgh
! hand across the breast with the middl
finger. directed toward the point Of tn
left shoulder, the head at.the same tim
= lDelng lowered. r.-
General J. NJ. Schofeld-My sugges
! ton is that an should stand erect, fac
ing the flag. the ladies making tn
: usual courtesy at the time when tn
T gentlemen remove their hats. Al
should then stand in the position o
!. silent respectful attention. during tn
{ short period Of the official salute.
= Acting Secretary Of the Navy Charlie
3 II. Darling-I am Of the opinion that
d ANY gesture or salute As 10 be given b
a girls the regulation salute of raisin
: the hand to the forehead or hat Is tn
!, one most appropriate.
! Past Comma ander-in-Chief Of tn
I Grand Army of the Republic John {
!. BlackAFor a ntnnber of years IN
: Grand Army Of the Republic, unitin
in this particular With the America
Flag Association, has been presentin
TO the youth of the land in the school
salute to the fag-a very simple on
which is practiced now daily, or at leas
r upon all suitable occasion In tn
n presence Of the raised flag the chill
7 standing, lays hand upon heart, the
3 to the forehead, then stretches IL e
ward the flag saying: Il give my heal
and my head and,my hand to my cour
try" It seems to me that no tmprov'
ment can be made on this simple, a,
fectionate and patriotic salute, nor al
/ able TO see why an American girl ma
as readily acquire and as gracefully e
ecute this salute as any that could
-. Ia.r +.