Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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The Use of Service Flags Who Is Entitled to Th Use. To the many questions aske( eerning the service flags; the gold, silver and blue, and tho? titled to their use, informatio been compiled, and sent out th the courtesy of the woman's co tee, Council of Defense, Georgi ision. The service flag, its origin, c and proper display, has been with by an official bulletin issue cently by the government and piled by Brigadier General Ni William MacChesney. "The service flag," explains eral MacChesney, "is not an o flag of the United States governi but is recognized by the go ment." The flag was patented and de ed by R. L. Queisser, formerly tain of the 145th division, Ul States infantry, retired, becaus accident. Of the incident Ca] Queisser himself relates: "Shortly after April 6, 1917, \ war with Germany was declared, thought came to me that both ol sons would again be called out, I wondered if I could not evolve s sign or symbol by which it migh known that they were away in t country's service, and one w would be to their mother a vis sign of the sacrifice here sons \ making. The inspiration of the ser flag came to me in that manner.' The city council of Cleveland ; sequently adopted the flag, pres ing one to the family in that citj every soldier and sailor entering service. Captain Queisser pater the flag in order that the distribu? and quality of the flag might be pi erly controlled and to keep it oui the hands of irresponsible part One-half of his royalties from sale of the textile flags is given the American Red Cross. ' The Purpose. The basic idea of the service ? is that there shall be a star to rep sent each person serving with the < ors. According to the congressio: enactment, the terms "man" and " listed man" means "person," whetl male or female, whether enlisted, i rolled or drafted into active serv in the military or naval forces of 1 United States, and include non-co missioned and petty officers, and rm hers of training camps authorized law. Those Eligible. Those entitled to come under t representation of the service flag a described as: All officers and enlist m?n of the regular army, the regul army reserve, the officers' reser corps; all officers and enlisted men the national guard and national gua reserve recognized by the militia b reau of the war department; all foi es raised under the act entitled, "J act to authorize the president to i crease temporarily the military e tablishments of the United States approved May 18, 1917 (selectr service act) ; all officers and enlisti men of the navy, the marine cor; and the coast guard; all officers ar enlisted men of the naval reser militia, naval reserve force, marir corps reserve and national naval vc unteers recognized by the navy d partment; all officers of the publ health service detailed by the seer tary of the treasury for duty with tl army or navy;any of the personn of the lighthouse service and cf tr coast and geodetic survey transferre by the president to the service an jurisdiction of the war departmer or the navy department; members c the nurse corps, army field clerk: field clerks quartermaster corps, ch ilian clerks and employees on dut with the military forces detailed fe service abroad in accordance with th provisions of existing law; and men hers of any other body who have here tofore or may hereafter become part of the military or naval force of the United States. Women Recognized. Pertaining to women and the serv ice flags, General MacChesney's bul letin states that a woman in activi service in any department of milita ry service is entitled to representa tion under the service flag. Member of the national guard, not federalize! state militia or reserves, and hom< guards, are not entitled to represen tation under service flags. Clearly persons in any of the re serve forces are not entitled to rep resentation until they are called inte and enter upon active duty. People rendering patriotic service through organizations in war de fense work are not entitled to repre sentation under the service flag, ai praiseworthy as such service is. The use of the service flag is cus tomarily limited to those who are in the military or the naval service of the United States, but no' objec tion is seen to extending the honor of representation thereon to those in the service of our allies, at ieast where they enlisted before our en trance into the war or were so situ ated that they ^ould not enter the military service of their own coi Non-Conibatant . Service. Of those in non-combatant se General MacChesney justly de< The army and navy are vast o izations and competent men ii ministrative, supply, medical other non-combatant services aj less essential than in the comb; service, the efficiency of whic large measure depends upon the quacy and efficiency of the forme draw invidious distinctions bet them in most cases is unjust. J appreciate this more fully than man in noncombatant service, understands how others in the tary service regard it as a hare and misfortune not to have the oj tunity of distinguishing thems< at the front. It is believed thi would be unjust, even if practica determine who will protect from ger throughout the war, to disre] the sacrifice they are making their willingness for any service, to penalize them by such visible ? ma as omission from the service All those who serve in the zon< the advance in the war will rec the war-service chevrons as the cial distinction for undergoing ? hazards, and those not called u to perform service there should would seem, at least receive such ognition as is given by represe] tion on the service flag. Household Privileges. When flown from a home a 1 band, son, father, or brother r properly be represented on the st ice flag, even though he did not tually leave the household directlj go into service, but in case of ? more distant relatives they should tually be members of the househ where the flag is displayed and h? left for the service directly from si household. Domestic employees, ro ers or boarders should not be rep ented. When flown from a house of a cl or society only those who are actu ly members, active or honorary, such club or society should be rep sented. Stars should not be pla( thereon for husbands, sons, fathi or brothers, or other relatives members merely because of such : lationship. When flown by a business conce it should represent only members the firm and employees going diree to the service from such place of bi iness, with some continuous relati existing and where there is an exp< tation of return to the employmei Since the stars should represent or those who are an integral part of t business or organization which fli the flag, the service flag of the buil ing should not contain stars to re resent tenants who have gone in the service from such building ai more than the service flag of a rn? cantile concern should represent i customers, or a professional conce: its clients, or of a hotel its guests. Schools and Colleges. Schools and colleges may prope ly represent trustees, members < the faculty, graduates and unde graduates. The Stars-Blue, Gold and Silvei A blue star is used to represe; each person, man or woman, in tl military or naval service of the Uni ed States. Several methods have been suges ed for representation of those inva ided wounded or killed in servie The following is believed to state tl consensus of opinion and accepte usage : For those killed in action a gol star will be substituted for the bk star or superimposed on it in such manner as to entirely cover it. Tl idea of the gold star is that of tr. honor and glory accorded the perso for his supreme sacrifice in oiferin up for his country his "last full mea: ure of devotion," and the pride of th family in it, rather than the sens of personal loss, which would be re] resented by a mourning symbol, eve though white were to be used instea of black. For those wounded in action a si ver star will be substituted for th blue star or superimposed on it i such manner as to entirely cover ii Use of the star in this manner woul be limited to those entitled to th official wound chevron, which i awarded to those receiving wound in action with the enemy or disable^ by a gas attack, necessitating treat ment by a medical officer. A Query. Asked by a member of the coun eil of Defense of the Minneapolis div ision about the custom governing thi silver star in its relation to woundei and retired men. General MacChes ney has answered: "We understand that it has beei customary to represent with a silve] star men who have been wounded oi invalided home but are still in the service, but do not know whether 01 not such has been practiced with ref erence to men who have been dis charged from the service. However it seems to me that your suggestior is a good one and I see no reasor why the silver star should not be usec for all those who have been in active Service and have been discharged be cause of disability acquired in the service of their country." Gift of the Red Cross. After a conference on the subjeet between the woman's committee, Council of National Defense, and the American Red Cross, indorsed by the president of the United States, it has been recommended to the people of the United States that the wearing of black brazzard with a gold star, on the arm, be substituted for mourning by the relatives of those soldiers and sailors who have lost their lives in the service. Accordingly, there has been pub lished and widely circulated a state ment signed by Dr. Anna Shaw, of the Woman'? committee, Council of National Defense, and Henry P. Dav ison, of the American Red Cross, as follows : "In order to facilitate the adop tion of the brassard, it has seemed to the Woman's committee that the chapters of the Red Cross are espec ially well equipped to prepare them, and the committee has, therefore, re quested these chapters, through the the chairman of the war council of the American Red Cross to furnish the brassards to those who have the right to wear them, either of black broadcloth or of thin silk elastic, ac cording to the texture of the garment with which it will be worn. To this band, the regulation military star, fifteen-sixteenths of an inch, em broidered in gold thread, shall be ap plied by hand. It is the understand ing that the brassard and star will be furnished without charge to the wid ow and the parents cf the soldier or sailor. To other members of the fam ily, the brassard will be furnished at cost. "This would not imply any exclu sive right to prepare the brassard, but would merely be such a sympa thetic service as the members of the Red Cross delight to render and it would be understood by the local units of the Woman's committee that this action is a joint one between their organization and the American Red Cross." Lumber for Sale We have lumber of all kinds on hand at our mill. Bills cut to or der from a Rood grade of yellow pine timbe. W. M. RANSON, JNO. R. BRYAN, Phone 2704, Johnston, S. C., ll-13-4t HARRIS' PRESSING CLUB I take this?means of letting the people know that I have re-opened my pressing club, and will appre ciate their patronage. I am better prepared than ever to clean and press all kinds of garments, both for ladies and gentlemen. All work guaranteed. Let me know when you have work and I will send for I it and make prompt delivery. Wallace Harris Sheppard Building Down Stairs A FINE FARM FOR SALE-A 309 Acre well improved, farm near Trenton, on the Augusta Road. Well watered, well improved, partly wired. Splendid dwelling, barns, etc. Fine crops of cotton, corn, wheat, oats this year. Let me drive you over the very best farm available. Hurry! E. J. NORRIS, * Real Estate and Ins. Edgefield, S. C. Invigorating to the Pale and Sickly The Old Standard general strengthening tonic. GROVE'S TASTELESS chill TONIC, drives out Mnlarin.enriches the blood ,nnd builds up the sys 1 t<"n. A true tonic. Fnr nriults antj, childi en. Sf*' Every Department Well Supplied We placed large orders early for the several departments on our second floor and invite our friends, the ladies especially, to inspect these attractive goods. We are showing some good values in bed-room suits. Also see our sideboards, hat-racks, sofas, dining tables and china closets. A beautiful assortment of rockers to select from. . We have a large stock of iron and enameled beds and the best bed springs on the market. A large stock of cotton and felt mattresses. We extend a special invitation to the ladies to come and see our beautiful assort ment of rugs and art squares. Many attractive designs at very reasonable prices. We have bought a large stock of stoves, ranges and heaters. Now is the time to discard your old one and purchase a new one. We were never better supplied than now to fill the needs of our customers in har ness, bridles and saddles. Large assortment to select from. Our undertaker's department is well supplied with coffins and caskets of all sizes and prices. A share of your patronage is solicited. Our hearse responds to all calls promptly. On our first floor will be found a large stock of heavy groceries and plantation supplies. We buy in large quantities and can make very satisfactory prices. Large shipment of Texas oats for seed-no better quality on the market. Let us fill your orders. Edgefield Mercantile Company My War . Saving Stamps until you can't see. Then see me. Geo. F. Minis, Optometrist. Edgefield, S. C. B. B. BUSSELL, JR. R. E. ALLEN RUSSELL & ALLEN INCORPORATED COTTON FACTORS 857, 859 and 861 Reynolds Street AUGUSTA, GEORGIA Bonded Warehouse. Liberal advances on cotton in storage. Correspondence invited^and consignments solicited. Edgefield Farmers Attention ! We desire to announce to our Edgefield friends that we are well supplied in every department to supply their needs. Have a Large Stoek of Plows and Harrows Just what you need for turning your land in the fall. Our Stock of Harness, Saddles and Bridles is Complete Anything you want in harness, wagon or buggy harnfess. single or double, we have it-WITH PRICES RIGHT. I Large stock of NAILS and all kinds of Builders' Supplies. If you need shop tools of all kinds come to us. Poultry and pasture fence wire all widths. Large stock of carriage and wagon material. The best roofing on the market. Shotguns, loaded shells and cartrides of all kinds. If we have not in stock what you need we will order it for you at once. Come in to see us when in town. Mr. J. H. P. Roper is with us and will give his friends a cordial greecing. Whittle & Plunkett 1289 Broad street Augusta, Georgia