Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-11
The WashngonNavy Yard has asked for these from
Mayfouer the Presidents YACHT

A collection of State flags which may b
seen at all times hangs in the auditorium OF
the D. A. r. Hall on Seventeenth street, and
Is another convincing example of the beauty
and interest attached to such an exhibit They
are gifts from the d. A. RS of the various
States, and each flag has its own story Of
design adoption and historical connections,
while together they make up pictorial descrip.
ton Of the territorial growth of the United
States
The beautiful frieze of flags follows the
cornice entirely around the auditorium and
fulflls the decorative and patriotic purposes for
which it was intended. Visitors may point
out their own eagle of Iowa, pelican of LOUISE
ana, anchor of Rhode Island or palm tree Of
South Carolina: but one cannot help wishing
that somewhere at the National Capital one
might have an opportunity for closer study
and an introduction to each flag by name
Strange as it may seem, the United States
Government apparently has taken no interest
IN making museum collection of its own
national emblems or of those of it's component
States. There has been occasional legislation,
since the Union was formed, regarding the
collection and exhibition of flags, but they have
always been discussed as trophies of war and
not from an educational standpoint or for their
part in other history making events
A review Of congressional action during the
past $50 years shows that in the midst of the
Revolutionary War a resolution was passed
directing the Board of War "to collect the
standards and colors taken from the enemy by
the Army of the United States since the COM
mencement Of the war; No disposition of
the flags so obtained Is suggested and evidently
FOUR forefathers were too busy trying to obtain
the flags to obey the letter of the law. It
Is not even known today what became of the
"a enemy standards and colorS which were
brought to Congress at Philadelphia after the
surrender of CORVALLIS at yorktown
At the close of the second war with Great
Britain, the subject again was introduced and
discussed with considerable warmth, some mem.
bers of Congress maintaining that the display
OF war trophies was not consistent with peace
time ideals and others urging the patriotic
preservation Of these memorials of yalor and
victory.
In 1914, law was finally passed providing
that all captured enemy flags should be trans.
United through the Secretaries of the War and
Navy Departments to the President of the
United States, "for the purpose OF being, under
his direction, preserved and displayed in such
public place as he shall deem proper"
COLLECTION and display of trophy flags had
now been authorized. but another 40 years
passed by before the housing of such col.
lection was finally considered, and an act
passed which, If it had been observed. would
have given Washington not only a hall of flags
but the still hoped-for armory for the District
OF Columbia militia. Thirty thousand dollars
was appropriated, and the Secretary of War
was directed Ito cause to be constructed in a
central position In Washington suitable build.
ing Tor the care and preservation of the arms.
ETC., OF the militia Of the District of Columbia.
and for the care and preservation of the mill.
tary trophies of the Revolutionary and other
wars"
Even an appropriation failed to lay the foun-
dalton of the proposed building, and from that
date until the Civil War trophy flags were
sent as they had been before, by the Secretary
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