Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-07-04
HOW TO DISPLAY
THE NATIONAL C0L0RS

American citizens all over the
United States are displaying the ma
tional colors as an outward express
sion of their fealty and their patri-
otto sympathy for their country in the
war against Germany. Many, in or
der that they may not unwittingly
mistreat the flag or show anf disre-
spect for it, have been making in
quiries as to the proper methods of
displaying, hanging and saluting it.
To answer such inquiries Adjt. Gen.
Mccain of the army has prepared a
circular designed to be used as q
guide by American citizens every
where. In this curcular the follow
ing information is given:
No federal law now in force regu-
lates the manner of hanging, display
ing or saluting the flag. There are
only two federal laws on the statute
books which pertain to the flag at all;
one forbids the use of national flags
as trade marks and the other makes
the dissertation, humiliation or i'm
proper use Of the flag within the Dis
trict of Columbia a punishable Of
tense.
1t is suggested that in every case
if possible the flag should be sus-
pended from a staff or pole in the
usual manner and not displayed in
any other way; when used for decora-
tive purposes it should be arranged
in the form of bunting, not used as
flag. When it is desired to hang it
side of a building it should invariab-
ly be hung fiat, with the union or
canton to the north or east, in order
thof fhara raou ha oararol .tpiforra
ity in the position Of the union in
each flag so displayed.
Rarely should the flag be displayed
in horizontal position or laid fiat.
1t should never be placed where it can
be easily soiled or contaminated and
it should not be draped over chairs
or benches which are to be used for
seating purposes. No object or en-
blem of any kind should be placed
above the stars and stripes. Civilians
may fly the flag at night If they so
desire, provided it is not so flown for
advertising purposes.
Where several flags or emblems are
displayed together, on pole or 9TH
erwise, the American flag should al
ways be hoisted first and hung at the
top. 1t should always be given the
place of honor in all parades and
should never be hung upside down
except as a signal Of distress at sea. !
Army regulations provide that
when officers and enlisted men pass
the national flag, not encased, they
shall, if in civilian dress and cover
ed, uncover, holding the headdress
opposite the left shoulder with the
right hand. When uncovered they
are required to salute with the right
hand salute.
No federal law recognizes any
hymn, anthem or musical air as the
national anthem, hymn or air of the
y. S. army and navy, however, pro-
vide that the musical composition
known as "The Star Spangled Ban
ner" shall be designated as the ma
tional air. These regulations Of
course are binding only on the person
1el of the military and naval service.
2 When this air is being played Of
icers and enlisted men of the army
and navy not in foramtion are re-
luired to stand at attention, facing
toward the music or in case the flag
IS being lowered at sunset to face to-
ward the flag. If in civilian dress
and uncovered they are required to
stand and salute at the first note
and retain this position until the last
note has been played. 1t is becom.
ng more and more the custom among
civilians to rise and remain standing
while "The Star Spangled
Banner" is being played on any oc-
casion.
When flag becomes old and bad
" worn so that it is no longer a fit
ting emblem for display cit should
not be cast aside nor used in any way
that might be disrespectful to the
national colora, but should be de-
stroyed as a whole, privately, prefer
ably by burning or by some other
method lacking in any suggestion of
or disrespect due the en-