Chicago Daily News Almanac and Political Register

ALMANAC AND YEAR-BOOK FOR 1925.

FLAG OF THE

UNITED STATES.

[Circular issued by Robert C. Davis, the adjutant-general of the army.]

DESCRIPTION

The flag of the United States has thirteen horizontal stripes-seven red and six whitethe red and white stripes alternating, and a union, which consists of white stars of five points on a blue field placed in the upper quarter next the staff and extending to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe from the top. The number of stars is the same as the number of states in the union. The canton or union now contains forty-eight stars, arranged in six horizontal and eight vertical rows, each On the admisstar with one point upward.

sion of a state into the union a star will be added to the union of the flag, and such addition will take effect on the 4th day of July next succeeding such addition.

In the army regulations four kinds of national flags are described; viz., flags which are flown at military posts or on ships and are used for display generally; small flags or ensigns which are used on small boats; colors which are carried by unmounted regiments and standards which are carried by mounted regiments and are, therefore, smaller in size than colors.

National flags, with the exception of the colors and standards carried by troops, will be of the following proportions:

Hoist (width) of flag, 1.
Fly (length), 1.67.

Hoist (width) of union, 7-13.
Fly (length) of union, 0.76.
Width of each stripe. 1-13.
there has been
For a number of years
a knotted
regulations
army
prescribed in
fringe of yellow silk on the national standards
of mounted regiments and on the national
The war
colors of unmounted regiments.
department, however, knows of no law which
either requires or prohibits the placing of a
fringe on the flag of the United States. No
act of congress or executive order has been
In flag manu-
found bearing on the question.

Ancient custom

facture a fringe is not considered to be a part
of the flag and it is without heraldic signif-
icance. In the common use of the word it is
a fringe and not a border.
sanctions the use of fringe on the regimental
colors and standards, but there seems to be
no good reason or precedent for its use
other flags.

FEDERAL LAWS.

There is no federal law now in force pertaining to the manner of displaying, hanging or saluting the United States flag, or prescribing any ceremonies that should be observed in In fact, there are but connection therewith. four federal laws on the statute books that have any bearing upon this subject, one, the act of congress approved Feb. 20, 1905 (33 Stat. L. p. 725), providing that a trade-mark cannot be registered which consists of or comprises, inter alia, "the flag, coat of arms or other insignia of the United States, or any simulation thereof"; the second, a joint resolution of congress approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. L. p. 771), authorizing the display of the flag on Mothers' day; the third, the act of congress approved Feb. 8, 1917 (39 Stat. L. p. 900), providing certain penalties for the desecration, mutilation or improper use of the flag within the District of Columbia; and the fourth, the act of congress approved May 16. 1918 (40 Stat. L. p. 554), providing, when the United States is at war, for the dismissal from the service of any employe or official of the United States government who criticizes in an abusive or violent manner the Several states of flag of the United States. the union have enacted laws which have more

or less bearing upon the general subject, and
counties and
it seems probable that many
have also passed ordinances
municipalities
concerning this matter to govern action within
their own jurisdiction.

Warning against desecration of the American flag by aliens was issued by the department of justice, which sent the following notice to federal attorneys and marshals:

"Any alien enemy tearing down, mutilating, in any way will be regarded as a danger to abusing or desecrating the United States flag the public peace or safety within the meaning of regulation 12 of the proclamation of the president issued April 6. 1917, and will be PROPER METHOD OF DISPLAYING THE subject to summary arrest and punishment." FLAG.

Many inquiries concerning the proper method of displaying, hanging and saluting the United States flag are being received in the war department with the evident object of securing some authoritative statement relating to the In this connection it should be resubject. marked that while it is within the province of the war department to prescribe rules and regulations governing the matter in question for observance within the army, yet it is beyond its province to prescribe any such of for the guidance rules or regulations civilians or to undertake to decide questions concerning the subject that are presented by civilians.

There are, however, certain fundamental rules of heraldry which, if understood generally, would indicate the proper method of disThere are also certain rules of good taste which, if observed, would preThe playing the flag. clude the improper use of the flag. matter becomes a very simple one and the answers to the various questions which arise will be evident if it is kept in mind that the national flag represents the living country and is itself considered as a living thing. The union of the flag is the honor point; the right arm is the sword arm and therefore honor. The staff edge of the flag is the When the nathe point of danger and hence the place of tional flag is carried, as in a procession, with heraldic dexter or right edge. another flag or flags, the place of the national flag is on the right-i. e.. the flag's own right. When the national flag and another flag are displayed together, as against a wall from crossed staffs, the national flag should be on the right, the flag's own right-i. e.. the observer's left-and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs the national flag should be in the center or at the highest point of the group. When the national flag is hung either horizontally or vertically against a wall the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own When disright-i. e.. to the observer's left. played from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from a window sill or the front of a building, the same rules should be obclear to the served; the union should go When the "truck," as the peak of the staff is called, unless the flag be at half-staff. flag is suspended between buildings so as to hang over the middle of the street, a simple rule is to hang the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

When flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the national flag, the national flag must When flown from flag always be at the peak. is chaplain's a There adjacent staffs the national flag should be first. hoisted

authorized in army regulations, but there is no church pennant prescribed. Neither the chaplain's flag nor any other flag or pennant is authorized to be placed above or to the right of the national flag.

International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of any other nation in time of peace. When the flags of two or more nations are to be displayed they should be flown from separate staffs or from separate halyards of equal size and on the same level.

As already stated, there is no federal law governing the subject, but it is suggested that the national flag, when not flown from a staff, be always hung flat, whether indoors or out. It should not be festooned over doorways or arches nor tied in a bowknot nor fashioned into a rosette. When used on a rostrum it should be displayed above and behind the speaker's desk. It should never be used to cover the speaker's desk nor to drape over the front of the platform. For this latter purpose as well as for decoration in general, bunting of the national colors should be used, and since the blue union of the flag always goes to the honor point the colors should be arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle and the red below. Under

circumstances should the flag be draped over chairs or benches, nor should any object or emblem of any kind be placed above or upon it, nor should it be hung where it can be easily contaminated or soiled. No lettering of any kind should ever be placed upon the flag. It should not be used as a portion of a woman's costume nor of a man's athletic clothing. A very common misuse of the flag is the practice of embroidering the flag on cushions and handkerchiefs and the printing of the flag on paper napkins. These practices, while not strictly a violation of any present federal law, certainly are lacking in respect and dignity and cannot be considered as evidence of good taste. The war department sees no objection to flying the flag at night on civilian property, provided it is not so flown for advertising purposes.

It is the practice in the army, each day in the year, to hoist the flag briskly at sunrise, irrespective of the condition of the weather, and to lower it slowly and ceremoniously at sunset, indicating the commencement and cessation of the activities of the day. On Memorial day (May 30) at all army posts and stations the national flag is displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon and at full staff from noon until sunset.

When flown at half-staff the flag is always first hoisted to the peak, the honor point, and then slowly lowered to the half-staff position in honor of those who gave their lives to their country, but before lowering the flag for the day it is raised again to the head of the staff, for the nation lives and the flag is the living symbol of the nation.

When flags are used in connection with the unveiling of a statue or monument they should not be allowed to fall to the ground, but should be carried aloft to wave out, forming a distinctive feature during the remainder of the ceremony.

When the national flag is used on a bier or casket at a military funeral, the rule is the reverse of that for hanging vertically against a wall. The union should be placed at the head of the casket and over the left shoulder of the soldier. The casket should be carried foot first. The flag should not be lowered into the grave and in no ase should it be allowed to touch the ground.

When a body is shipped to relatives by the war department for private burial, the flag which drapes the shipping case is turned over

to relatives, with the remains, for use at the funeral, and may be retained by them. The flag should never be hung nor displayed union down except as a signal of distress at

sea.

It is becoming the practice throughout the country among civilians to display the national flag on all patriotic occasions, especially on the following days:

Lincoln's birthday, Feb. 12; Washington's birthday, Feb. 22; Mothers' day, second Sunday in May; Memorial day, May 30; Flag day, June 14; Independence day. July 4; Armistice day, Nov. 11.

In certain localities other special days are observed in the same manner.

DISPOSITION OF OLD OR WORNOUT FLAGS. Old or wornout flags should not be used either for banners or for any secondary purpose. When a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display it should not be cast aside nor used in any way that might be viewed as disrespectful to the national colors, but should be destroyed as a whole, privately, preferably by burning or by some other method lacking in any suggestion of irreverence or disrespect to the emblem representing our country.

MILITARY SALUTE TO THE FLAG. Existing regulations governing the army provide that when officers and enlisted men pass the national flag, not encased, as at regimental headquarters in the field or when the national flag is carried in a parade or proression, they will render honors as follows: If in civilian dress and covered, they will uncover, holding the headdress opposite the left shoulder with the right hand: if uncovered, they will salute with the right-hand salute. The hand salute is as follows:

"Raise the right hand smartly till the tip of the forefinger touches the lower part of the headdress or forehead above the right eye, thumb and fingers extended and joined, palm to the left, forearm inclined to about 45 degrees, hand and wrist straight; at the same time look toward the person saluted.. Drop the arm smartly to the side."

NATIONAL ANTHEM.

No anthem, hymn or musical air has been recognized by any federal law as the national anthem, hymn or air, but army and navy regulations provide that the musical composi tion familiarly known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" shall be designated as the national air of the United States of America. It should be stated, however, that these regulations are binding only upon the personnel of the military and naval services.

Whenever the national anthem is played at any place where persons belonging to the military or naval services are present, all officers and enlisted men not in formation are required to stand at attention, facing toward the music, except when the flag is being lowered at sunset, on which occasion they are required to face toward the flag. If in uniform, covered, they shall salute at the first note of the anthem, retaining the position of salute until the last note of the anthem. not in uniform and covered, they are required to stand and uncover at the first note of the anthem, holding the headdress opposite the left shoulder until the last note is played, except in inclement weather, when the headdress may be held slightly raised. The cus tom of rising and remaining standing and uncovered while "The Star-Spangled Banner" is being played has grown in favor among civilians.

"The Star-Spangled Banner' should be played through without repetition of any part rot required to be repeated to make it complete.

It should not be played as part of a medley nor for dance music, nor at any point in a program or performance except at the beginning or the end. It is the practice in the army to play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the end of a musical program.

While the regulations governing the use of the flag within the army have been outlined in this circular, it should be understood that it is not within the province of the war department to force their observance upon persons not in the military service.

The national flag was officially adopted by congress June 14, 1777. Accordingly June 14 is now generally observed as Flag day.

It is generally accepted that the white color in the flag signifies purity and innocence; the red, strength and valor, and the blue, vigilance, perseverance and justice.

In an executive order issued May 20. 1916, the sizes of flags manufactured or purchased for the United States were limited to those with the following hoists:

(1) 20 feet; (2) 19 feet (standard); (3) 14.35 feet; (4) 12.19 feet; (5) 10 feet; (6) 8.94 feet: (7) 5.14 feet; (8) 5 feet; (9) 3.52 feet (10) 2.90 feet; (11) 2.37 feet; (12) 1.31 feet.

Union jacks: The size of the jack shall be the size of the union of the national flag with which it is flown.

LEADING ART GALLERIES OF THE WORLD.

The following list includes only the principal collections of paintings and sculptures readily accessible to the public in Europe and America.

John J. Audubon.
William E. Channing.
Gilbert Stuart.
Asa Gray.

Chosen in 1905.
John Quincy Adams,
James Russell Lowell.
William T. Sherman.
James Madison.
John G. Whittier.
Alexander Hamilton.
Louis Agassiz.
Mary Lyon.
Emma Willard.
Maria Mitchell.

"The Hall of Fame for Great Americans" is | Eli Whitney. the name of a building on University Heights in New York city, in which are inscribed on bronze tablets the names of famous American men and women. Nominations for the honor are made by the public and are submitted to a committee of 100 eminent citizens. in the case of men fifty-one votes are required and in the case of women forty-seven. The first balloting took place in October, 1900, when the following were chosen: George Washington. Abraham Lincoln. Daniel Webster. Benjamin Franklin. Clysses S. Grant. John Marshall. Thomas Jefferson. Ralph W. Emerson, H. W. Longfellow. Robert Fulton. Horace Mann.

James Kent.
Joseph Story.
John Adams.
Washington Irving.
Jonathan Edwards.
Samuel F. B. Morse.
David G. Farragut.
Henry Clay.

Nathaniel Hawthorne.
George Peabody.
Robert E. Lee.

Chosen in 1910.
Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Oliver Wendell Holmes,
Edgar Allan Poe.

James Fenimore Cooper.
Phillips Brooks.

William Cullen Bryant
Frances E. Willard.
Andrew Jackson.
George Bancroft.
John Lothrop Motley.

Chosen in 1915.
Francis Parkman,
Mark Hopkins.
Elias Howe.
Joseph Henry.

Rufus Choate,
Daniel Boone,

Charlotte Cushman.

Chosen in 1920.

Samuel L. Clemens
(Mark Twain).
Augustus St. Gaudens.
James Buchanan Eads.
Patrick Henry.
William T. G. Morton,
Roger Williams.

Alice Freeman Palmer.

Henry W. Beecher.

Peter Cooper.

HIGHEST AND LOWEST POINTS IN THE WORLD.

CONTINENTAL ALTITUDES.

In order to compare the elevations in the figures, showing feet above and below sea United States with those in foreign countries level, must be considered the following list is given, but some of the

Continent.

North America. Mount McKinley, Alaska..

only:

Above sea

as approximate

Below sea level (ft.).

276

level (ft.). Lowest point. .20,300..Death valley, California.... South America. Mount Aconcagua, Chile-Argentina.23.080.. Sea level.... Europe............... .18,465..Caspian sea, Russia. 29.002..Dead sea, Palestine.

Asia
Africa

Highest point.

Mont Elbruz, Russia.

Mount Everest, India-China.

Kibo Peak, German East Africa....19,320..Desert of Sahara..

.1,290

150

Australia ...... Mount Kosciusko, New South Wales 7,777..Lake Torrens, South Australia 25 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS.

THERMOMETERS COMPARED. There are three kinds of thermometers, with varying scales, in general use throughout the world-the Fahrenheit, Reaumur and centigrade. The freezing and boiling points on their scales compare as follows:

Thermometer.

Fahrenheit

Freezing pt.
.32 degrees

Reaumur .......... ..zero
Centigrade

..zero

Boiling pt. 212 degrees 80 degrees 100 degrees

In the adjoining column is a cut showing at a glance how the scales compare with each other. The Reaumur (R) scale is in the middle with the Fahrenheit (F) and centigrade (C) scales on either side.

COMPARATIVE SCALES.
Centigrade to Fahrenheit.

-30

F. -22.0-9

-29

-20.2-8=

F. C.

.15.8 12

17.6 13

-18.4-7

19.4 14

-16.6 -6

21.2 15.