The Mena weekly star., 1918-06-20
ALL REVERENCE IS DUE OUR FLAG
It Is Dissertation to Allow It to Blow to Pieces, Declares Western De- partment of the Army-Raise
 and Lower Daily.

San Francisco, June 14.-When an American flag is shot to pieces by en- emy cannon or musketry in most irl- stances it cannot be helped. But when it is allowed to blow to pieces while perpetually "mastheaded" on an office building staff or in any other place, it has been desecrated.
 This was the Flag Day declaration given out by the Western Department of the army here today in an educa- tive effort to secure greater respect for the national ensign.
 The declaraton proclaimed the flag to be sacred thing, which must be treasured and treated with reverence at all times. It is urged that the army and navy regulations covering the use of the flag be generally accepted, and that every owner of flag go thru his own private ceremony of raising and lowering the colors every day
 The department declared the fol- lowing practices to be strictly against regulations:
 Draping the flag in semi-circular or other decorative effects. Every thread must show.
 Placing the flag on speakers tables or platforms, where it may be used as setting for water pitcher, or even i trod upon.
 Using it for belt, girdle or drape. IA l. o~t-clo <f 1~aer
 Using it for automobile, carriage or float decoration other than in man. ner that will permit it to fly straight cut and show all its beauty. When used otherwise, the flag might trail in the dirt, the acme of dissertation.
 The declaration holds that the chief offense against the flag is allowing it to De flown continuously until it is blown to shreds. Every flag that is not suspended indoors should have 3 caretaker, who should display it when the days tasks begin, and furl it when those tasks are ended. There are but three places where the flag may be flown continuously, according to the regulations Those places are over | the Senate and House wings of the 1 capitol at Washington, and the cap itol proper.
 Even these flags must be kept spot. less. They are renewed every siz | weeks, and the old ensign respectful Iy burned.
 When pure decoration is called for bunting alone should be used. Ths flag is no more meat for decoration that priestly investment. But one flag is shown above ths 1 American banner and that $ the church pannant. This is to signify that there is but one thing more su prcme than the country, and that t the Kingdom of God The regulations prohibit the use of any other flag oI pennant on the same staff as the Ma tional ensign. If there is a desire ts honor the flag of an ally or neutra country it must be placed on sep arate staff.
 | When the flag passes in parade ol other observances, civilians should rise if they are sitting, and remove their headgear. In inclement weath CT they should lift the hat so that i does not rest on the head. | Second only to the flag is the Ma tional anthem. It must be considered also that in these times the nationa anthems of the allies have taken or new significance also. When thu Star Spangled Banner, God Save th' King and the Marseillaise are beini played or sung, all must rise anC stand at strict attention. If they arr men they must uncover and remain uncovered until the last note i: reached. sA