The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-06-14
Frank Roberts to Be Orator
at Meeting Under
Elks' Auspices.
MAYOR ISSUES CALL
Wilkinson Asks Missoula
People to Mark Anniver-
sary Fittingly.
Old Glory is l4o years old today.

oIu NeaUTS Is laV years Oiu To-Day.
On June IA, 1877. the Continental
congress adopted the Stars and stripes
as the official flag of the little Ameri-
can republic.
Missoula will celebrate the anniver-
sary> by a display of colors more gem
eral even than that which has been in
evidence since the war with Germany
began and by participating in patriotic
exercises to be held in the Elks' temple
this evening under the direction of
members OF Hellgate lodge.
Roberts Orator Of Day.
Frank Roberts, prominent Missoula
attorney, will deliver the Flag day ora :
ton at the evening meeting. which is
TO begin at 9 o'clock. The Elks' ritual
istic service in honor of the flag. an
nually conducted on June IA, will be
given. r. l.. Freeman. exalted ruler of
the Missoula lodge will direct the serv.
ice.
All Missoala people are invited by
the Eks to take part in the meeting.
They are urged, too, in a proclamation
issued yesterday by Mayor II. r. Will
kinson. to observe the day fittngly.
The proclamation follows:
mayors Hrocidmdtion.
Whereas, according to long estab-
lished custom, June IA has been set
aside by the people of the United
states of America as day for paying
their tribute of love to the flag of our
nation and to holding appropriate ex-
ercises in schools, churches and fra
ternal organizations of all kinds:
Now therefore. |, II. T. Wilkinson.
mayor OF the city of Missoula, believing
that the present time of world war
is one calculated to turn the minds of
all to earnest consideration Of how they
may serve best their country, 10 pro-
claim to the citizens of Missoula that
Thursday, June II, be fittingly OBJ
served as Flag Day in this city.
Il suggest that the flag be displayed
by all citizens at their residences and
places of business and that they de-
vote a part of the day to thoughtful
deliberation on the history and growth
of our beloved land l suggest that
they give special thought to the future
which looms forboding ahead and to
study how they may serve to the great
est degree the flag which flies over
the Oldest republic on earth.
Done and delivered this 18th day
of June, A. D. 1917, in the city hall
OF the city of Missoula.
(Signed) H. 4. WILKINSON.
Mayor"
History Of the Flag.
The American emblem, as at pres
ent designed, was suggested first to
Mrs. Betsy Ross by General George
Washington, and Mrs. Ross. made the
first banner after his suggestion, save
that her idea of five pointed star
was adopted instead of the first pres
ident's design of a siX-pointed one.
Officially. however, the Stars and
Stripes did not become the national
flag until it received the authority of
the Continental Congress June II.
l,,7. 1t is older than any flag of Eu-
rope save that of Denmark.
The flag had its baptism of fire in
the battle fought at Fort Stanwix, New
York. the present site of the city of
Rome, August s. l777.
Each stripe in the flag represents
one of the thirteen original states,
while each star--at present 4s--stands
for n state in the Union. The red col
or of the stripes signifies courage, the
white stripes and the stars for purity,
and the blue field for truth and 10y
atty.
The flag should not be hoisted be-
fore sunrise nor allowed to remain on
its staff after sunset. In displaying it
the starry field should be placed at
the left of the observer When the flag
passes in review or in parade the spec
tator. ii walking, should halt. If sit
ting, he shot.ld rise, stand at atten-
ton and salute. The flag shouId new
er be permitted to touch the ground.
When the national anthem, The Star
Spangled Banner" IS played or sung
the American will rise and remain
standing until the music has ceased