The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-14
FLAG IS SACRED
Army Department Tells How It
Should Be Used.
Never Let 1t Fly Until Cloth Is
Worn Out.
OLD GLORY NOT DECORATION
1t Should Never Be Worn or
Used as Drapery.
Only the Flag of Church Should
+ Be Above 1t.
Id GLORY NOT DECORATION

San Francisco. Calf, June IL
When an American flag is shot to
pieces by enemy cannon or musketry
In most instances it cannot be helped.
But when it is allowed to blow to
pieces while perpetually ina stheaded'
on an office building staff or in any
other place, it has been desecrated.
This was the Flag day declaration Civ
en- out by the western department of
the army here today in an educative
effort to secure greater respect for
the national ensign.
The declaration proclaimed the flag
TO be a sacred thing, which must be
treasured and treated with reverence
at all times. 1t urged that the army
and navy regulations covering the use
OF the flag be generally accepted, and
that every owner of flag go thru
MS own private ceremony of raising
and lowering the colors every day.
The department declared the follow
ing 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 a water pitcher, or
even trod upon.
Not Article of Dress.
Using it for a belt, girdle or drape.
| It is not an article of Dress
Using it for automobile, carriage or
float decoration other than in a man
ner that will permit it to fly straight
out and show all of 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 be flown continuously until it is
| blown to shreds. Every flag that is
!
| caretaker, who should display lit 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
capitol at Washington, md the capitol
proper.
| Even these flags must be kept spot
less. They are renewed every six
| weeks, and the old ensigus respect
| fully burned.
When pure decoration is called fer.
bunting alone should be used. The
| flag is no more meant for decoration
than a priestly vestment.
| But one flag is shown above the
4 American banner and that ID the
4 church pennant. This is to signify
that there is but one thing more Hu-
! preme than the country, and that is
| the kingdom of God The regulations
/ prohibit the use of any other flag or
] pennant on the same staff as the ma
1 tional ensign. # there is a desire to
| honor the flag of an ally or neutral
/ country, it must be placed on a. sep
| arate staff.
i When the flag passes in a parade
Il or other observance, civilians should
/ rise If they are sitting, and remove
L their headgear. In inclement weather
/ they should lift the hat SO that It does
II not rest on the head.
Second only to the flag is the ma
II tional anthem. 1t must be considered
Il also that in these times the national
anthems of the allies have taken on
1 new significance also. When the Stat
Spangled Banner, God Save the King
and the Marseillaise are being played
or sung all must rise and stand at
strict attention. If they are men, they
1 must uncover and remain uncovered
| until the last note is reached.