The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1917-04-11
THE ELECTRIC FLAG
AGAIN LIGHTED.

The D. A. r. and the town at large
are delighted TO see the beautiful cleo
trio flag shine forth again in all of
its brilliancy after having been in
darkness for six weeks. SO many in
quiries have been made as to why the
flag was in darkness and at time
when American flags of every descrip-
ton should be flying from homes and
business places that an explanation
is deemed necessary. Last year, in
accord with the splendid patriotism
peryading the land, and having keen
desire to teach and impress the youth
of the country and to inculcate in the
hearts of all a deeper love and rev.
erence for the nations banner, Fort
Early chapter conceived the idea OF
floating a brilliant electric flag from
the dome of her county court house
and Of presenting it as a gift to the
city of COrdele. Accordingly plans
we're formulated for the launching OF
the patriotic undertaking, the town
authorities agreeing to keep the flag
lighted Fort Early went vigorously
to work and installed the flag at
cost to the chapter Of $204,00. On Ju-
" 4th, 1916, this flag was unveiled al
which time the regent, on behalf of
Fort Early chapter, presented it as q
gift to the city. Mayor j. Gordon
Jones' accepted it for the city in gra-
cicus and appreciatiye words, promis-
inc the citys care of the beautiful gift
throughout all the years for the sake
Of patriotism and pOsterity. For this
patriotic undertaking Cordele has been
lauded all over the nation. kilograms
and letters of concentration and con-
gr2 tulations were received from Pres
iGent Wilson, Secretary Baker and
many distinguished d. a. R., while
northern magazines carried feature ar
tcles on Cordee's patriotism and civic
pride and progress, and congratula-
tons on being the home Of the first
electric flag in the United States to
be presented to a city by D. A. r.
chapter. Patriotic people have stopped
over in Cordele just to see her flag.
Weekly inquiries come from other
towns to know about our flag saying
| ~ al
! All over the state people speak and
comment on Cordele's beautiful flag
And it is beautiful and joy to those
who appreciate their cOuntry's flags.
But how is it appreciated? A short
while after the installation of the flag
| the MANAGEMENT of the COrdele Elec-
trict company offered to light the
! flag free of charge, so the town was
absolutely at no expense with the flag
which had not cost ii a cent at any
time. All went we'll The flag was
/ brilliantly lighted, but in February
the belt of the motor broke new
belt must be bought at a cost OF So.
The matter was presented to the coun-
Gilt was ignored A plea was sent
from the D. A. r. to the council ask
ing them to have the belt on the flag,
their flag, a gift to them, fixed The
REQUEST was absolutely refused though
Mayor Jones and Alderman Lindsay
and Alderman King commended for the
fixing OF the flag With this refusal
the d. A. r. gladly took over the flag
again, had the belt ordered and the
flag is shining in all of its beauty
aud glory.
Fort Early will ever find deep and
abiding pleasure in caring for this
the glorious emblem of her glorious
country Tic chapter thanks the
three members OF the city council for
tie plea they made in behalf of the
flag.