Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-04
HERE Is u. S. FLAG ETIQUETTE
LOOK OUT FOR ANY VIOLATION

WASHINGTON, D. C.-Many tnqui
ries concerning the proper method Of
displaying, hanging and saluting the
United States flag are being received
in the war department with the evi-
dent object of securing. some authori-
tative statement relating to the sub.
Jet.
In this connection 1t should be re-
marked that while 1t Is within the
province Of the war department to pre-
scribe rules and regulations govern
ing the matter in question for observ-
ance within the army, yet 1t is beyond
its province to prescribe any such
rules or regulations for the guidance
of civilians or to undertake to decide
| questions concerning the subject that
are presented by civilians.
There Is no federal law now in force
pertaining to the manner OF display
ing, hanging or saluting the United
States flag or prescribing any ceremo
MES that should be observed in con-
nection Herewith. In fact that are
but two federal laws on the statute
books that have any bearing upon this
proved February 20, 1905 (33 Stat.
l.. 725), providing that trademark
can not be registered which consists
OF or comprises, inter ALA, ''the flag,
coat of arms, or other insignia OF the
United States, or any stimulation there
Of" and the other the act of congress
approved February 8, 1917 public.
No. 305, 64th Cong), providing GER
tain penalties for the desecration,
mutilation, or improper use Of the
flag within the District of Columbia.
Several states Of the Union have enact
ed laws which more or less bearing
upon the general subject, and it+seems
probable that many counties and NUM-
cipalities have also passed ordinances
concerning the matter to govern &C.
ton within their own jurisdiction.
Warning against dissertation Of the
American flag by aliens has been is
sued by the department of justice,
which has sent the following notice to
federal attorneys and marshals:
ANY alien enemy tearing down,
mudlating, abusing, or desecrating the
United States flag in any way will be
regarded as a danger to the public
peace or safety within the meaning Of
regulation IL of the proclamation Of
the president issued April 6, 1917, and
will be subject to summary arrest and
punishment"
1t is the practise in the army, each
day in the year, to hoist the flag brisk
ly at sunrise, irrespective Of the con-
dition of the weather, and to lower it
slowly and tremendously at sunset.
indicating the commencement and ces-
sation of the activities Of the day, and
to display it at half staff on Memo
rial Day MAY 30) from sunrise until
noon and at full staff from noon until
sunset, and also on other days special
ly designated for that purpose by the
proper authority, the flag always be-
ing first hoisted to the top of the staff
before being lowered to the half-stafr
position.
There has been some question
among civilians concerning the exact
location of a flag hung at half staff"
theoretically, the flag is always hung
on a separate staff, much shorter than
the staffs usually erected on buildings,
and as q consequence q flag hung at
half staff would be located much
higher on the ordinary flag staff than
under the present practise. but still
the custom OF placing the half-staffed
flag in about the center Of the flagpole,
whatever its 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 display.
ing the flag for decorative purposes.
AS already stated, there is no federal
law governing the subject, and indi'
vidual opinion differs as to. the pro-
cedure that should or should not be
followed. It has oeen suggested that
as far as possible the hanging of
flag should be restricted to suspend
ing it from flagpole, in the regular
way, and not to displaying 1t other
wise; that for purposes Of decoration
only the national colors should be ar
ranged In the form of bunting and not
not used in the form of the flag; that
II 1t Is nevertheless the desire to use
the flag for decorative purposes It
should always be hung flat whether
on the inside or the outside Of build
ings, with the union to the north or
east, so that there will be a general
uniformity in the position Of the union
of each flag displayed; that the flag
should rarely be displayed in a hori-
zontal position or laid flat; that under
no circumstances should it be hung
where it can easily be contaminated
or soiled, or lie draped over chairs o:
benches to be used for seating pur.
poses, and that no object or emblem
of any kind should be placed above
or upon it. This department sees no
objection to flying the flag at night
on civilian property provided it is no;
so flown for advertising purposes.
1t is becoming the practice through
out the country amcng civilians to
display the national flag OH ali pa