Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-31
BETSY ROSS LEGEND
SAID TO HAVE FLAWS
Historical and Patriotic Organ
ization Criticise Plan for
Monument.

The Introduction OF bill In the begis'
lature providing s25 900 for the erection oi
a monument over the grave OF Betsy
Ross, in Mt. Morah Cemetery. as the
maker Of the first United states flag, has
aroused much adverse comment among
members of various historical and pa
trotic-hereditary organizations. who de-
clare that the story Of Betsy Ross is too
! obscure to receive the formal stamp OF
approval by the State.
Such official recognition also, they as
| sert will tend to substantiate the belief
| by many that Betsy Ross actually de-
| signed the stars and stripes and thus
cause further inaccura cies In order TO
perpetuate "a merely popular and pic
turesque tradition of American history.
Officers of the Historical Society OF
Pennsylvania. the Pennsylvania Society
of Sons of the Revolution, the order OF
Founders and Patriots OF America. the
Society OF the Cincinnati, the Military
Order of Foreign Wars, the Society OF
Colonial wars and similar organizations,
while not openly opposed to glorihcation
of Betsy Ross, do not encourage 1t. Even
the story of the house on Arch street.
which is believed by many to have been
the home of Betsy Ross, and the legend
that the first 1ag was made there. is not
taken seriously by them.
mo DEEDS ON RECORD"
There are no deeds on record, they
say, to show that tho house now desig-
mated as "the birthplace of Old Glory
is authentic 1t is only that Betsy Ross
lived in a house on Arch street above Cd,
they say, hut they dismiss the matter
with that remark, preferrIng not TO dis
courage those whom they believe were
actuatod by splendidly patriotic motives
in restoring the building
Betsy Ross was a seamstress in the
employ of the Government during the
Revolution. making uniforms and stan.
dards" said an officer of one of the So
ceties who requested that his name be
withheld. land 1t is only natural that
such a person should be given the job of
sewing together the first flags, after they
had been adopted by the Continental
Congress Where this duty was per-
formed is not known. 1t may have been
in Betsy Ross home and it may have
been in the old State House.
There is no desire on my part to dis
credit Betsy Ross or to spoil pretty
story which instils patriotism in the
breasts OF the young. But there is one
story that cannot refrain from denying.
formed persons that Betsy Ross actually
designed the Stars and Stripes. Nothing
| is more ridiculous.
ORIGIN OF THE STRIPES.
The design of the stripes was taken
from the flag OF the Philadelphia Troop
| of Light Horse, now the First City
| Troop which consisted of II yellow and
| black alternating stripes. This design
| was taken by the cavalry organization
| from tho old flag of Holland, which also
| contained stripes representing the several
| provinces of that country. The design
| was decided upon at a session of the
| Continental Congress, and Betsy Ross
had nothing whatever to do with it.
There is a certain picture in existence
| which shows George Washington con-
ferring with Betsy Ross in her home in
regard to the designing or making of the
| flag This. also, is entirely out of accord
with the known habits of Washington.
| If Washington had wanted to take up
such n matter with Betsy Ross he would
| have had her come to him in the state
House. 1t is more likely, however, that
whatever instructions he had for Betsy
Ross he would have transmitted to her
through subordnates."