The San Francisco call., 1906-11-25
New Way of Placing
Stars on the Flag

rOw that Oklahoma and Indian
IN Territory are to become a State
1t is necessary to place new star
on the flag. But how to place 1t Is the
problem that must be solved within the
next few months. 1t has become evi-
dent that the time has arrived for a
definite settlement of the pattern Of the
flag OF the future. It Is realized that
the next half-century may see twice as
many States in the Union as comprise
1t now. for not only will other terri
tories be admitted. but the vast lands
OF the Western States may have 10 be
divided into separate commemorative.
each entitled to star on the nag- This
has brought home to the Government
officials the unsatisfactory situation
with regard to our national emblem
and it Is probable that steps will be
taken to settle once for all the matter
of the flags shape and pattern
1t will shock methodical Americans
to know that there is no very definite
authority to guide the makers Of the
flag. On June IA, 1911, this resolution
was adopted:
Resolved. That the flag Of the Thir-
teen United States be thirteen stripes.
alternate red and white; that the union
be thirteen stars. white on a blue feld-"
On January 13, 1874, 1t was enacted
that: From and after the 1st day OF
May, 1895. the flag Of the United States
be fifteen stripes, alternate red and
white, and that the union be fifteen
stars, white on a blue field"
Nothing was said as to which way
the stripes should run or the stars be
placed
AS States were added it became evil
dent that with each addition OF a stripe
the lines would become so attenuated
as to be in time mere ribbons instead OF
broad bars On April IA. 1918. there
fore, 1t was decided that from and
after July 4. the flag OF the United
States be tl44rteen horizontal stripes,
alternate red and white and that the
union have twenty stars, white on
blue field"
1t was further enacted that: "On the
admission OF every new State into the
Union one star be added to the union
Of the flag and that such addition shall
take effect on the 4th Of July next sue
ceeding such admission"
Nothing has ever been settled as TO
the shape In which the stars are to be
placed The flags OF the United States
army are made by order OF the War
Department. When new star Is added
the department must issue new nagS-
1t has been customary for the Secretary
OF the Navy and the Secretary OF War
to get together and arrange how the
flag shall be made. This, IL is declared.
is not sufficiently dignided for the
American nation Il In contended THAI
in a matter 50 momentous the nation
should be consulted and with the neces-
sity for arranging q place tor the new
star there has arisen a growing senti-
rnent in favor OF an appeal to the peo-
pie for a. consensus OF opinion, to be
fosowed by a special discussion in Con-
gress and final settlement with the
approval of the President
One patriotic citizen. Henry Vogt OF
516s Viola street. Philadelphia. has pre-
pared a design and forwarded il to the
War Department. receiving in return
letter Of thanks for what Is considered
to be a very sensible suggestion con-
eerning the fag- He would place the
stars in circle. with a keystone de-
sign in the center. leaving room for the
addition OF stars around the circle. Mr..
vogt had large flag made to show his
idea anS this nag was draped on his
porch lass Independents day, sksrscting
rasc- attsntion