Evening star., 1941-10-03

Add the officials OF the United
of people made unhappy by the
totalitarian bosses in Europe. The
Axis boys probably don't know 1t,
but they have made start on un-
doing II years work by the organ
ization
The association is not particularly
worried-yet. 1t has made no COM
promise with respect to the Official"
form of salute accompanying the
pledge to the flag as given by un-
uniformed civilians. Yet it is here
that the Nazis and Fascists are ur-
dermining the associations long
term effort.
The story begins when Americans
started to realize Those Men were
more than a laughing matter. Some
detected a similarity between the
official flag salute and the adula-
tory gesture of Hitler and Mussolmi
followers They felt something
should be done. Since it appeared
impractical to persuade Adolf and
Benito to adopt the handspring or
two-inger whistle. it was suggested
that the form of the civilian flag
salute be altered
The flag association took notice
of the unrest in the third edition OF
its publication, The Flag of the
United States: History and Symbol
ism" 1t urged guarding against
hysteria. Suppose those unruly fell
lows should take fancy to the
cross, should Christians abandon
the sacred symbol? If they pilfered
the Star OF David, should Jewry dis
own the sign?
Further Arguments Made.
The association fired two more
volleys. The approved flag salnte
differed from the Nazi and Fascist
gestures in that it featured an up
turned palm. Further. the United
States salute was in use long be
fore the totalitarian duo concerned
any American except vaudeville and
radio comedians.
The ranks of those made uneasy
by the resemblance swelled, how
ever. The public schools OF New
York City switched to the salute
used by the Army-right forearm at
45-degree angle. elbow at side, palm
downward at forehead over right
eve. Authorities of the metropolis
admitted the change was prompted
by complaints. The Flag Associa-
ton received its second blow yes
terday when Washington public
school pupils began using the Army
style with the pledge instead of the
organizations form - right palm
over heart until you reach the
phrase ito the flag" then arm ex-
tended outward and upward at As
degree angle from horizontal,
palm up.
Supt. of Schools Frank w. Ballou
explained the change was in the in
terest of uniformity, but said, You
may draw your own conclusions"
when asked whether complaints
motivated the action.
Bearing up bravely, the Flag As
sociation Office here said the group
would continue to champion the
salute adopted in 1924 at flag con-
ference in the Capital.
Other Organizations Concur.
Local officials of the American
Legion and Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution rallied to its side.
George Wolgemuth, who heads the
Americanization Commission Of the
Legion's District of Columbia De-
partment, said the matter had been
given serious consideration by the
commission last year, when it was
decided there was no valid reason
for the United States backing down
on the form of honoring its banner
Mrs. Harry c. Oberholser, State
regent of the D. A. r., pointed out
that the national organization had
indorsed the Flag Associations
salute. She said suggestions of
change had met with scant interest
within the D. A. R.
The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
are not affected. They keep palm
at forehead throughout the pledge
but depart from the Army salute to
the extent of folding the little finger