Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-15
FLAG ETIQUETTE
Authorities DIner as to Whether Hue
Field Should be La Left
or Right.

a lot of people who don't own flag
poles may be disappointed to learn that
when theyJdid the next best thing and
tackled tho family stars and Stripes
from the windowsill they didn't do 1t
according to IIoylc. Perhaps they
didn't stop to think. but more likely
they figured that every good American
knew the correct way to drape tho flag
and just saw to It that the blue field
was uppermost and let II go at that.
But some one. who evidently would
rather he right than be President. went
deeper into the subject to-day. with
the result that he is just as far from
the White House as ever and not much
better posted on flag etiquette. This
man merely wanted to know whether
he should hang out his flag so that tho
blue field was In the upper right hand
corner or whether il belonged in the
upper left-hand corner. SO he got into
touch with the army departmental
headquarters OH Governors Island.
From this source he was told that.
while there was no fixed rule. II was
customary to hold the flag SO that the
blue flcld is In the left hand as you
put II out This would bring the field
in the upper right hand corner as you
looked at the flag from the street.
TO make doubly sure. he called up
another branch OF the service.
NO" he was told. the stars should
he in the upper left hand corner as you
look at the, nag"
This was confusing The perplexed
citizen tried to think of all the nass he
had seen. and recalled that nine out OF
ten of the flags he had seen in pictures
were flying from left 10 right. and that
II the artist hadn't had flag pole
handy he would have had to let his
flag hang down from an imaginary
windowsill at the top OF the pase-and
In that case nine out OF ten Of those
flags would have had tho blue field in
the upper right-hand corner YOU
looked at them.
But. even in the books the wind does
mot always blow from left 10 right. and
there are too many notable exceptions
to the nine out often rule to make ii
bindinG-cspccially with the army it
self apparently divided on the question.
Just, for example. when the best
police chief New York has ever known
tried to become a, statesman. he gave
his followers badges with Tic American
haG hung with the blue held IN the
upper left-hand corner
The man who would rather be right.
etc. is still undecided what TO do. He
says he'll either have to buy flag pole
or get two flags and drape them both
ways,
The windowsill problem. however. is
about the only point in nag etiquette
that has not been fully covered either
by army and navy regulations or by
long standing custom. Rules govern
ing the proper respect for the flag have
been laid down as follows by tho Sons
OF the Revolution:
1t should not be hostcd before sun
rise nor allowed 10 remain up after
sunset.
At sunset spectators should stand Al
attention" and uncover during tho
playing Of THE star SpanGled Banner
Military men are required TO do SO by
reguIa ton.
When the national colors are passing
on parade, or in review. the spectator
should, if walking. halt, and If sitting,
arise and stand at attention and UNI
cover
In placing tho nag at half-staff. It
should first be hoisted to tho top of tho
staff and then lowered to position. and
preliminary TO lowering from haif-staft
it should be first raised to the top.