The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-07-06

staff in about the center Of the flag
pole; whatever it's length may be, is
rather generally observed throughout
the country, and this department sees
no real objection to this custom.
Considerable discussion has arisen
throughout the country concerning
the proper manner of hanging and
displaying the flag for decorative pur-
poses. AS already stated, there is no
Federal law governing the subject,
and individual opinion differs as to the
procedure that should or should not be
followed. 1t has been suggested that
as far as possible the hanging of the
flag should be restricted to suspend
ing it from flag pole, in the regular
way, and not to display it otherwise !;
that for purposes of decoration only
the national cOlOrs should be ar
ranged in the form of bunting and not
used in the form Of the flag; that if it
is nevertheless the desire to use the
flag for decorative purposes it should
always be hung fiat whether on the
inside or the outside of buildings, with
the union to the north or east, so that
there will be general uniformity in
the position of the union of each flag
displayed; that the flag should rarely
be displayed in a horizontal position
Or laid fiat; that under no circum-
stances should it be hung where it can
easily be contaminated or soiled, or be
draped over chairs or benches to be
used for seating purposes, and that no
object or emblem of any kind should
be -laced above or upon it. This de-
partment sees no objection to flying
the flag at night on civilian property
provided it is not flown for advertising
purposes.
Displaying the Flag.
1t is becoming the practice through
out the country, among civilians, to
display the national flag on all pa
triotic occasions, especially on the fol
lowing days: Lincoln's Birthday,
Washington's Birthday, Mothers Day,
Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independ-
ence Day, February II, February %,
second Sunday in May, May 80, June
IA, July 4. In certain localities other
special days are observed in the same
ma nner
1t seems to be appropriate that
where several flags or emblems are
displayed on a pole, or otherwise, the
United States flag should always be
hoisted first and hung or displayed at
~, do JI,,if
States flag should always have the
place of honor, and that the flag
should never be hung or displayed
with the union down except as a sig
nal of distress at sea.
Existing regulations governing the
army provides that when officers and
enlisted men pass the national flag,
not encased, they will render honors
as follows: If in civilian dress and
covered, they will uncover, holding
the head-dress opposite the left shout
der withs the right hand; if uncovered,
they will salute with the right hand
salute. A flag unfurled and hung in
room in which officers or enlisted
men of the army are present will be
saluted by them the first time they
may have occasion to pass it but not
thereafter The hand salute is as fol-
lows: Raise the right hand smartly
till the tip of the fOrefinger touches
the lower part of the headdress above
the right eye, thumb and fingers ex-
tended and joined, palm to left, fore
arm inclined to about As degrees, hand
and wrist straight; at the same time
look toward the person saluted; drop