Evening star., 1912-11-19
SAYS TAFT AGREED
Mrs. Scott Explains Use of
Confederate Flag.
SOME MEMBERS cRiTiclSE
Faction of D. A. r. Opposed Use of
Stars and Bars in Con-
tinehtal Hall.

The use of the flag OF the Confederacy
IN .ne decoration of Continental Hall by
.iie daughters OF the American Revolu-
uon on welcome night" Tuesday of last
week raised topic of discussion the
echoes OF which are not silenced with
the close of the convention. -.
A faction Of the Daughters of-the Amer
lean revolution not only opposed the
decoration of the hall with these en-
biems OF the lost cause but also declared
1t a desecratien' for women of the
southland to meet in the building This
Is admitted by Mrs. Matthew T. Scott
president general of the Daughters of
the american Revolution, who bore the
brtint OF the criticism.
The use Of the Confederate flag In deco
rating the hall was justified by the Presi-
dent of the United States, explained Mrs.
scott, In q public statement before the
convention of the United Daughters OF the
Con1ederacy, and elaborated by her in
private discussion of the matter.
Inc PRESIDENT REGARDED the Confederate
nag as no more than an emblem or ten
oer memories OF heroic deeds Of the men
OF the south, proper ideals for southern
Womanhood. and considered that the time
nao come for. laying aside sectional feel
ing which would feel an affront at its
display. .. -. =
President Approves Display.
The President not only approved the
display Of, the Confederate flag in con-
junction with the flag of the United
states. a united country, but also au-
thorized the placing Of his official flag,
as President among the decorations of the
hall during his presence therein, and he
remained until the function was over.
making In the course of It q conciHato
speech that won him the heart of every
southern woman.
the presentation of a Confederate nag.
made by Orren Randolph Smith. de-
siener OF the emblem Of the lost Cause.
which has been adopted as the emblem OF
OF the United DAUGHTERS of the Confed-
eracy. The folds of the flag enveloped
the President as he sat upon the stage.
he smiled throughout the ceremony, and
gave no sign of disapprobation. All
around the hall the flags Of the United
s.ates ana of*the Confederacy were dis
played, entwined.
fhe matter was taken to President Taft
by Mrs Taft and Hilary A.. Herbert.
secretary of the Navy under Grover
Cleveland, and also chairman of the
Arnngton Confederate Monument Asso-
ciation, before the convention. at the
time when criticisms had begun to pour
IN upon the president general of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
me PRESIDENT informed them that, in his
opinion, the time had come for sectional
lines to be eliminated, and that the Stars
and Stripes and the Stars and Bars
should be properly entwined IN any as
sembly OF people who treasured southern
traditions.
in oII
the United Daughters Of the Confederacy.
told OF the incident in the following
language:
49, Explanation of Mrs. Scott.
''In view Of an article that appeared
recently, to the effect that / and the
Daughters Of the American Revolution
had opposed the placing of the Confed-
crate flag in Memorial Continental Hall.
ON the occasion of the United Daughters
of the Confederacy meeting there.
wishto say that part of that state
ment was true; that a certain faction
of the Daughters of the American Re-
public did most virulently oppose the
placing of the flag in the hall-even
going SO far as to declare that the meet
ing of the United Daughters of the Con-
federacy in that hall and the placing of
the Confederate flag there would be
Dissertation.
''The situation became SO acute that
was forced to go to the President. Of the
United States, and received not only his
Endorsement of my action in placing the
Confederate flag In that hall, but also
his permission to place his personal flag
over it, in conjunction with Old Glory :.
Throughout the south the members OF
the United Daughters OF the Confederacy
are nearly all members OF the Daughters
of the American Revolution. The per-
sonnel of the representation in both
bodies, as far as the southern state or
ganizations are concerned, is practically
Identical.