The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-04-26
ARMY AND NAVY FLAGS
MADE BY GOVERNMENT
GREAT SKILL REQUIRED IN
ePlAClNG SOME OF THE
RESPONSIBILITIES.
(NeW York SUM

navy, at army posts and on govern
ment buildings in the United States is
a pretty big job. Most of these flags
are made at the Brooklyn navy yard
where an up-to-d date shop is main
tanned by the government for the
work. Practically ell of the flags for
the needs of the Atlantic coast and
interior posts and buildings are mace
here. Flags required for the Pacific
coast are made at the Mare island
navy yard.
No government ship or building can
| be without its stars and stripes and
no one connected with the service is
willing to fly battered or patched
industry of the United States govern
ment is an important one.
Many Flags on Warships
On seeing a battleship in fun dress
one can easily imagine how mu III
bunting is required to be carried IN
the ships lockers. Such a ship Is an
| inspiring sight. In addition to flags
for signaling purposes each battleship
must be equipped with an extensive
array of flags for official occasions. In
the ceremonial outfit there are about
$50 flags. Each battleship carries
more than 40 foreign flags, each Box
10 feet.
? n ha Al
buys the best bunting, but weather
and constant use wear out flags. a
naval regulation requires that each
ship shall have complete outfit every
three years, and oftener if needed.
Nothing but wool bunting is used in
the manufacture of flags, and it is
subjected to chemical and physical
test before it is accepted for use. The
first test consists of soaking the bunt-
ing in soap and water and then ex-
posing it to the weather for 10 days.
Thirty hours of this time the material
must be in bright sunlight If the
bunting stands this test then it is ac-
cepted and sent to the cutting rooms.
Modern Betsy Roses.
These rooms present a colorful and
interesting picture. Many modern
Betsy ROsses may be seen busily en-
gagged in assembling the flags of
foreign country or putting the As stars
on the stars and stripes. Much of the
sewing is done by machinery, but
many expert needewomen are neces-
sary, for the flag master does not
throw away any flag that can be neat
.ly mended to do further service
All flags are cut from measure
ments arranged on chalk lines and
markers on the floor. The first bast-
ing is usually done on the floor also,
as large strips and pieces can be more
conveniently handled in this way. The
final sewing is done on machines
1t was but a few years ago that
Uncle Sam decided to make his own
flags. Today he has specialized
force, with each workman doing the
part best suited to him. Many wo-
hiVI arc ciipioScu. 'oollie eACei III
making stars, others in stripes and
some do their best work on a compli-
lated emblem Of a foreign country.
Presidents Flag.
Machinery is used to cut the many
thousands of stars required on old
glory. Eight sizes are required, vary
ing from l to 2 inches across. The
flag of the president requires the
most labor, and woman takes a full
month in putting one together. This
flag, consisting of a blue ground with
the coat of arms OF the United States
in the center, is hand sewed. 1t takes
days of patient stitching to place the
life sized eagle with its great wings
outstretched. This flag is made in
two sizes, 10 by IA and by feet.
1t is the making of some of the for
eign flags that taxes the ability Of
Uncle Sans best wOrkmen. For COL
or and emblems he has to get special
material Some of the Latin coun-
tries, although small in power, have
elaborate flags. The dragon flag of
China consists of 200 separate pieces,
which must be carefully assembled
and neatly finished. The flag Of San
Salvador is very expensive to make.
After each flag is finished by the
workmen a heading is sewed on and
the border is stamped with the name
of the flag. The master flag maker
then passes on it, after which 1t goes
to the storekeeper of the navy yard
for distribution.
Flag Etiquette.
| There has been n great deal of dis
cussion of late on flag etiquette The
rules laid down by the Daughters Of
the American Revolution provide:
1.-THE flag should not be hoisted be-
fore sunrise nor allowed to remain up
after sunset. It should not be dis
played upon stormy days.
when the flag is displayed at hall
staff for mourning it is to be lowered
to that position from the top of the
staff. 1t is afterward hoisted to the
top before it is finally lowered.
when the flag is formally raised
all present should stand at attention
with hand raised to the forehead
ready for the salute.
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