Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-06
HOUSE MEMBERS CHEER
AS FLAGS ARE UNFURLED
Tattered EmbIems, to the
Number of 1856, Show Sue
cess of American Navy.

VVOO VI CuuIVI 1OSAuJ
The hall of the House rocked with gen.
uine patriotic applause this afternoon
when there were unfurled before the eyes
Of members the 1876 tattered emblems
which mark the successful career OF the
American navy from the foundation OF
the republic to the present time.
When Commodore Perry's battle flag, on
the blue field Of which Is inscribed the
words in white letters. now yellowed with
age, Don't give UP the Ship" the last
words of Capt. Lawrence of the Inflated
frigate Chesapeake. was thrown across 9
big easel in front Of the Speakers desk
the democratic and republican sides OF the
cheered.
The flags were displayed during consid-
Grafton by the House of the bill intro
duced by Representative Bates OF Penn n,
$4,000 for their repair. preservation and
exhibition.
Now Stored in Wooden Boxes.
Mr.. Bates explained that there were
138 flags in the collection. which were
now stored in wooden boxes at the
United States Naval Academy.
Most Of these" said Mr.. Bates. have
been taken in battle by the Navy OF the
United States. They are at present IN
most deplorable condition, and, although
they have received the best possible care,
there is immediate need that they be
given attention or they will soon be be-
yond preservation.
Among these flags is an English royal
standard, 23x7 feet. captured at York,
Canada, April q, 1913, by a squadron I'M
der Isaac Chauncey. Another is the first
United States ensign hoisted in Japan by
Commodore Perry at Uraga July IA. 1853
Mazatlan November H., 1877. by Com
mander Shubrick. Another is the ensign
of the British ship Alert, taken in 1917
by Capt. David Porter. Another Is the
flag Of the governor general of the Phil
ippines taken by Admiral Dewey in 1898,
and another is the last flag flown by the
Spanish squadron at the battle OF Ma
Mia bay
Plan to Preserve Flags.
Mr.. Bates said that Commander w. c.
Cole of the navy, who is now stationed
at Annapolis, and who is senior member
of the committee on memorials, has taken
a deep interest in the subject of the pres
ervation of these trophies. and after
much correspondence and research has
found a method by which they can be re-
stored and preserved.
ut is proposed said Mr.. Bates. that
they be stretched upon a backing OF fine
linen and then sewed to linen by expert
needlewomen using small stitches that
will not be visible at the distance an OBJ
server will stand when viewing them In
exhibition cases. Sewing OF the color and
shade to match each part Of the flag will
be used.
TT will require 100 needlewomen working
200 days to accomplish this work. Many
patriotic societies Of this country have
sent in memorials and petitions praying
that the flags may be restored and pre-
served"
'-The appropriation asked for should be
made without delay. These trophies. now
tumbling into dust, tell more than spoken
or written words of great achievements
OF the American navy in the past. They
heroism Of the American sailor and an
inspiration to present and future genera
TONS"
Trophies Are Loudly Cheered.
Mr.. Bates remarks were applauded
and there was an enthusiastic outburst
as each Of tho tattered, torn and stain
cd ensigns was laid carefully over the
big easel, SO that every member might
gaze upon it's historical folds.
The collection IL particularly rich In
relics Of tho war OF 1872. For instance,
, there is the ensign Of the Cyano, can
tured OF Madeira by the frigate under
Capt. Charles Stewart; the ensign Of the
Guerrero, captured by this same old
1r0nsides. this time under Capt Isaac
Hull: the ensign Of the Reindeer, CAP
tured by the sl0op Of war Wasp, under
Capt. Johnston Blakely. and the ensign
OF the Highflyer. captured OF the port Of
New York by the frigate President, Com
niouOre JOnn Rodgers commandments.
Then there are French flags captured
by American ships during the brief
naval var Of 1913. between France and
the United States: Civil war flags,
Mexican flags and q large collection of
various kinds Of pennants, each and
every one of which has q patriotic and
romantic history.
Representative Tribble Of Georgia op-
posed the bill on the ground. first. that
the appropriation was extravagant, and
secondly. because it specified that the
trophies should be kept on exhibition at
Annapolis. He insisted that they should
be brought to Washington, where all Wis
itors to the National Capital might see
them and receive patriotic inspiration
therefrom.
1t was finally informally agreed that
before passage the bill should be
amended so as to place the repair of
the flags under the direction Of the
Secretary OF State. and to provide for
their being brought to Washington
and put on permanent exhibition at
the National Museum.
A good many members expressed de-
sire to speak In favor Of the bill, which
will probably be passed before adjourn
ment today.