Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-07
HOW TO DISPLAY
STARS AND STRIPES

Frank E. Griffith. librarian at Po-
land Spring, recently wrote to Adjt.
Gen. Mccain of Washington, D. c., for
information on . flag etiquette.
The information is Of interest and
value.
Mr.. Griffth's Inquiry
H. P. Mccain, the Adjutant General,
Was hington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-May 1 ask a few ques
tons on this flag subject as it ap
pears to be one of interminable in
quiry, especially in library, where a
librarian is supposed to know every
thing.
l The Flag Circular" says at the
bottom of page with the union to
the north or east" What does that
mean?
2 The Congressional Record Of June
IA, 1917, page 1889 says, If hung length
wise the field should be at the right as
che faces it, if hung as it flies from
the upright pole the field should be at
the left. Is that correct?
8 Are right" sand left" synony-
nous with north" and SOUTH" If
not. which is correct?
When United States flag and
that of another nation are crossed on
a fat wall, on which side should the
United States flag be as one stands
facing them? Right or left?
Has the government any super
vision over either the birthplace or the
grave of Francis Scot Key. and is
there any custom or rule or order that
causes the United States flag to fly
continuously over the one or the other.
6 Is it a fact that the flag does fly
continuously over either Of the above
mentioned places so far as you know?
Asking your kind indulgence for the
foregoing, I remain.
Very sincerely yours
FRANK c. GRIFFITH,
Librarian Poland Spring Library.
The Reply
The adjutant general replied as fol-
lows:
War Department-Th Adjutant. Con.
erals Office.
Washington, July 80, 1917.
Mr. Frank G. Griffith. Librarian,
Poland Spring Library,
South Poland. Me.
AS stated in the flag circular, to
which reference is made in the within
letter, is beyond the province of the
War Department to prescribe any
rules and regulations for the guidance
Of civilians with respect to the man
ner in which the United States nag
should be displayed or treated, or to
undertake to decide question concern
ing the subject that are presented by
civilians.
Teh statement at the bottom Of page
two Of the flag circular to the effect
that, when the flag Is used for decora-
tive purposes. It should be hung nat
with the union to the north or east"
means that the side Of the flag in which
is placed the blue field should, as nearly
as practicable. be at either the eastern or
northern end of the flag, depending
upon the situation of the wall upon
which the flag is hung. and it matters
not. when the flag Is hung. whether the
union is at the right or the left side OF
the flag.
The manner in which the United States
flag should be displayed on fiat wall,
In conjunction with flags Of other ma
lions. is likewise matter regarding
which the War Department can lay down
no rules for the guidance Of civilians.
However. whenever practicable it is gen.
orally considered the better practice to
place the United States flag in the center
and slightly elevated above those of the
other countries. There appears to be no
general or prevailing custom, where only
one foreign flag b displayed side by
side with the American flag or crossing
It, relative to the side on which the
United States flag should appear.
! So far as the War Department is adj
vised the United States flag does not fly
constantly over either the birthplace or
the grave Of Francis Scott Key. book
entitled Francis Scott Key" the writer
Of which is a descendant Of the author OF
1.-THE Star spangled Banner, contains no
mention of the continuous display Of a
flag over either place. and an Illustration