New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-02
Proper Display Of the Flag
Breaches of Etiquette Due IgnoanceBggs Collaboration
Replies to Critics
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: AS the one to whom Cartoonist
Briggs so graciously gave credit for
his recent cartoon on the flag, and
whose qualification would have been as
complete without his thanks to-" per-
NIT me to reply through your columns
to the letters bearing upon the cartoon
you have published and also to the
numerous letters both Mr.. Briggs and
I received.
A large proportion OF the writer's
have thanked The Tribune for its most
timely lesson, in spite of the error
some Of them think existed. One
writer suggests The Tribune repeat
this cartoon yearly, pointing to the
results toward the adjustment of the
promiscuous use Of fireworks, obtained
largely through one publications. con-
tinued use of picture depicting a
small, bandaged boy in bed, surround
ed by doctor and anxious parents, and
entitled "The Fourth of July"
Before I was correctly informed as
to the proper etiquette Of the flag
held opinions quite to the contrary Of
| those now hold, and I was indeed
rewarded by being put in touch with
those who had made study of her
aldry, from which all insignia have
come. For this reason I am most
tolerant toward those who have not
yet learned the spirit, language and
lineage Of the flag.
The great seal OF the United States
shows the American eagle and on its
breast tho shield with no stars in the
blue and with six red and seven white
stripes. Thus 1t is pictured in almost
every dictionary. Ard yet twice has
the United States War Department &C.
its printed announcements shield
with stars in the blue and with seven.
instead of six, red stripes. Also, dur
| ing the war John McCutcheon. the
famous cartoonist, had four or five
column wide picture Of the American
eagle with the United States shield
similarly caricatured. Mr.. McCutcheon
thanked me for calling his attention to
his error.
Often you see the flag It half mast
out Of respect for some prominent citi-
zen who has passed on. In such case
the language of the flag is: II regret
a.. A,,A 80 -t-ya
to the peak again I 60, for the country
still lives" And yet you see hundreds
Of flags at ha]f-mast afternoons and
nights for days in succession. In times
When hung across (above) street
the field should be toward the north if
on an east-and-west street and toward
the east If on north and south
street. However, if parade is to take
place, the position of the field is al
ways to the left of the oncoming
paraders, regardless of the points of
the compass; the flag faces its viewers,
the field of blue corresponding to the
right arm, the sword arm. The field,
representing the Union, is above the
thirteen states, and it's position of
honor Is therefore at its right.
The flag flying from its staff has
no front or back-it's all flag clean
through. And whether it is floating in
the breeze to your right or left from
its staff makes no difference-the spirit
Of the flag is constant and not mere
matter of (Which way the wind blows N
Only one flag is ever permitted to fly
above "Old Glory" and that the chap
lain's flag, the cross, during worship.