The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-03
FLAGS NEVER BECOME RAGS
The WOrnout Ones Are All Destroyed
by the Government.

A reader of the Transcript writes TO
inquire what disposition, official or
otherwise, is made of wornout national
flags used by the United States gov
eminent in the army and navy, for pub
| lie buildings, etc. He is of the i'm
| preston that some uniform regulation
| governs their disposition and doubts If
they are thrown away.
The patriotic intuition of the INQUIRER
comedies with the fact. The govern
ment sets an example to the whoIe
country in requiring that worn-out
flags shall be burned and not permitted
to become mere pieces of waste rag.
whether or not any special law or
regulation governs the disposition of
the flags. the universal practice of the
army and navy for generations has
been that whenever a flag is no longer
fit for service it shall be destroyed.
When flag Used at an army post or
on board naval vessel becomes I'M
serviceable, requisition of the quarter
master is made for a new one and the
old one is burned. The same DISPOSE
ton is made of flags used on public
buildings in Washington. Custodians
of buildings outside Washington buy
their flags outright of the government
Whether or not they follow the official
plan of disposing of old flags cannot
be stated
So ingrained among military men has
respect for the national coIors become
that it is extended in curiously for
NAL way even to the flags of other
nations. While the late Major General
Henry w. Lawton, of Philippine fame,
was inspector general on duty in Texas
a list of articles for condemnation sub
mitted to him included a Mexican flag
The venerable officer who tells the
story and who was an eye witness of
the incident. says that Lawton picked
out the flag and turned it back, that
it might not be made subject to con-
demnation and sale as was the other
property on the list.
Flags borne in battle are invariably
preserved, either by the commands
which carried them, or, under instruc-
lions by the war department, by the
government at Washington. A whole
roomful of battle flags is on exhibit
ton at the war department, and It
will be recalled that one of the most
striking of the mural paintings which
decorate the state house at Boston de-
picts the return of the battle flags by
the Union soldiers in 1865 to Governor
John A Andrew.
The government is a little thrifty.
however, in the use of the national
colors. A flag is not put out of bust
ness merely because it is torn or worn.
for contracts are maintained with men
who repair flags, and if the injury is
not too serious repairs are made and
the nag is sent Dack TO service.
The flag making plant of the navy is
at the Brooklyn navy yard, where some
30 women are employed. The bunting
comes from Massa chusetts. and every
case costs the government $500 or $11.25
roll. Every piece must weigh five
pounds to every 40 yards and stand a
weight test of 20 pounds to two square
inches. 1t is stepped in salt water for
six hours and then exposed to the sun
for another six hours. II strength and
color hold the fabric is then pronounced
fit for service.
That General Lawton's sentimental
treat ment of the Mexican flag had its
basis in custom may be inferred from
the fact that of the $50 varieties OF
flags made for the navy 43 are the
colors of foreign nations, all of which
must be carried by naval vessels of
the United States. Sentiment attach
ing to the national colors is one OF
the most profound in the human breast.
and it is not surprising to learn that
even a discarded official flag must be
finally disposed of almost with military
Cor. Boston
Transcript.