| Show USE AND AM ABUSE OF THE AMERICAN FLAG IN decoration DECO KATION since the world war there has been a keener appreciation of the sanctity of the american flag as the symbol 0 of the nation during previous years we had grown careless in our use of I 1 this symbol and m many any times have un wittingly or ignorantly handled it in a way which to those better informed seemed little short of desecration the army and navy have long had a carefully prepared code which they observe in connection with all uses of the flag designed to denion demonstrate strate the respect in which it is and should shoula be held last spring a conference many patriotic and civic organizations called by the american legion dratted drafted a flag code copies of which were sent broadcast over the country this code contains detailed information as to the proper use of the flag there is one outstanding phase of the subject however which seems to call tor for reiteration and tor for special emphasis this has to do with the use of the flag as a decoration whether indoors or on the facade of a building there is one definite point which can be easily understood too d and kept clearly in mind it is that the F flag lag should be the focal point of a i scheme 0 of decoration and that it should stand out straight and clear either it should hang from a staff or it if placed against tile the wall should hang flat with the union to the flags own right more than one flag may be used in decorating a hall or the facade of a building provided this point is constantly observed it will add to the ease of observing this point however it if only one N I 1 national flag Is used in any particular scheme of decoration for in that way everything will lead to it as the focal point and every part of the decoration co will be subordinate to it for other decoration bunting of the notional national colors made up in any form other than that of 0 the flag itself may be used but in no case should tile the flag be used on a par with bunting or be draped looped up etc even more emphatically should it be stated that in no case should the flag be used as a coer for a table or a desk it is not a convenience nor a mere decoration and to place it in a position where people can handle it carelessly where hooks books or water pitcher or glasses may bo be placed upon it is in the nature of desecration its only use as a cover la Is over the coffin of one ot of the nations honored dead state and city flags are not only a proper but often a necessary part of decorations which indicate state or municipal participation or interest in tile the event celebrated while ailese these flags should not be used on a bar with the national flag they should be displayed in such a way as to indicate the respect due them not used as mere decoration on a bar with bunting the civic development department will be glad to answer any inquiries civic development dept chamber of commerce of the united states |
