Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-16
HOW GIRLS MAY
SALUTE THE FLAG
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
NEW YORK, Feb. 15.--Mr. and Mrs.
Charles II. Beach of Bayonne, N. j.,
attended a reception at the White
House a few months ago. With them
was their young daughter, Helen. As
she was presented to President Roose-
welt she asked
"Mr. President, will you kindly tell
me just how girl ought to salute the
American flag?"
The president was stumped. He re-
piled:
Now, my dear child, If you were a
boy 1 readily could tell you the proper
way to salute the flag would be to
raise your hat and then drop your arm
to your side; but how a girl should
salute, really can't say"
Experts Tell How to Salute
Helen was disappointed. Since she
returned the question has been taken
up by the Bayonne Political and Social
club, and letters have been sent to men
prominent in army and navy political
life. The club will meet Monday after
noon to read the answers. If it decides
in favor of any suggestions the mem
bers will endeavor to get organizations
throughout the country to adopt the
same method. Here are some of the
replies received by the club:
Admiral George Dewey-I see no ad-
vantage of establishing a form of sa-
lutte which shall be distinctive with the
female sex. The salute 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
women and girls should not use the
same form Of the salute.
Admiral w. S. Schley-I believe the
salute Of the flag by the mothers and
daughters of our land should be made
with the right hand on the heart, the
head reverently bowed, the reason be-
ing that the heart is the home of love,
respect and reverence-the seat of all
that is purest, noblest and best in our
nature.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee-I think an ap-
propriate salute for a girl to make to
the flag would be to stand at attention
and kiss her right hand.
Use Handkerchiefs, Says Chaffee
Gen. Adna r. Chaffee-If the salute
is to be ceremony performed by a
number of girls this is suggested as
not ungraceful and quite effective in
mass: At some signal have the hand
kerchiefs drawn from the belt and held
pendant from the right hand, the fore
arm being held horizontally to the front
or upward at an angle of forty-five
degrees.
Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans-At
many naval stations the custom has
grown for women and girls to stand at
attention" and salute the colors the
same as officers do. The only other
salute can think of is courtesy.
John D. Long, ex-sceretary of the
navy-I can think of no better salute
of the flag on the part of women than
a military one-holding the open palm
at the brim of the hat.
Gen. f. d. Grant-It seems to me
the simple bowing of the head would
be correct.
Brig. Gen. A. L. Mills-I would sug-
gest that girls make a courtesy to the
dag at the moment it passes them.
Rise and Remain Standing
Gen, IL. c. Corbin-In our garrisons
when officers and soldiers salute the
eolors, it is the custom for all women
young or old, to arise and remain
standing during the passing of the col.
ors. This, it seems to me, is the mos
satisfactory solution Of the question.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles-I do not thinl
the military salute is suitable. / woult
suggest placing the right hand across
the breast, with the middle finger di,
rected toward the point of the lef
shoulder the head at the same tim'
being lowered.
John C. Black, past commander-in
chief Of the @. A. Rim the presenc'
of the raised flag. the child, standing
lays her hand upon her heart. an(
then to her forehead, and then stretches
II toward the flag. saying; Il give M
heart, my head and my hand TO m.
| country"