Flag Rules

Sirs:

David Wm. James, in his incorrect and unTIMEly criticism (TIME, Dec. 30, p. 2) of Mister Speaker's background (TIME. Dec. 16, frontispiece), shows lack of Boy Scout training. I suggest that he cooperate with the nearest troop where any tenderfoot scout can tell him HIS UNDERSTANDING of courtesies due our National Emblem NEEDS REVERSAL.

Motion to flay denied and lower house affirmed.

ELLIS S. MIDDLETON

Alias Big Chief Flying Owl, Boy Scouts of America. New York, N. Y.

Sirs:

. . . The essential thing to remember in placing the flag is that it is not an object to which we pay our respect, but a living thing which faces in a particular direction.

G. J. COVALT

Cheyney, Pa.

Under the caption Letters in your worthy magazine of Dec. 30, one of your readers, a Mr. David James of Chicago, Ill., undertakes to flay the House of Representatives and your magazine unjustly. . . .

While there has never as yet been any adopted rule of set etiquette for the display of the flag by Congress there has been adopted by different patriotic societies the enclosed method of display for the National Emblem. We, the American Legion, are trying to have some form adopted so that the continual debate will not be forever.

TIME still stands correct as usual.

R. M. O'REILLY

Buffalo, N. Y.

Sirs:

Mr. David Wm. James' understanding of the courtesies due to our national emblem is incorrect as indicated by his letter in your issue of Dec. 30.

The canton of the U. S. flag should be on the right of the object it adorns as in this case the rostrum of the House of Representatives (see frontispiece, Dec. 16) and not on Mr. James' right as he faces it.

There are, however, so many errors made in the display of the U. S. flag that a great benefit would be conferred upon your readers if TIME would devote a column or so to Correct Usage in the Display of the National Flag under all ordinary circumstances. The problem is especially puzzling if it is a question of hanging the flag on a cord stretched across a city street, but even this is, I believe, provided for by custom if not by regulation.

HOLMES SMITH

St. Louis, Mo.

Official flag etiquette: When horizontal or "floating," the stars should be to the left of the beholder. When vertical or "hanging," the stars should also be to the left. (The flag is correctly hung behind the Speaker of the House of Representatives.) The flag should never be used for bunting, which should have blue at the top, red at the bottom. When the flag is hung across a street, the stars should be to the north in an east-and-west street, to the east in a north-and-south street. When used on a table, nothing should rest upon the flag but the Bible.--ED.

McManamy Misquoted Sirs:

May I not correct the remark of Interstate Commerce Commissioner McManamy, quoted on p. 12 of TIME, Dec. 30.

Mr. McManamy said:

"I go along with this plan, therefore, only because it will cut the Gordian knot and permit helpful consolidations and not because I expect economy and efficiency of operation to be promoted by the gigantic systems here proposed."

This statement is made on p. 571 of 159 I. C. C. 522.

What the commissioner said is quite different than the statement attributed to him in your excellent magazine.

WALTER E. AEBISCHER

Yonkers, N. Y.

To Subscriber Aebischer all thanks for detecting a mechanical error of some importance.--ED.

Boston to Chicago

Sirs:

Main Line expresses and limiteds of the New York Central Lines usually run in two divisions: one to and from Manhattan, another to and from Boston (over N.Y.C.'s Boston & Albany R. R.).

Travelers who have had occasion to ride both divisions may have noticed a marked difference in the service and equipment on such trains as the Twentieth Century, Wolverine, North Shore; that when they are on the Boston section of these trains sometimes there are no magazines in the Club Car, terminal stops (Buffalo, Albany) are unusually long, sleeping cars are not up-to-date, washrooms are inconveniently small and many other evidences that the world-famous luxury of the same New York-Chicago trains is not upheld for the New England patronage.

The reason: five railroads compete for the New York to Chicago traffic; one of them on an equal speed basis with New York Central. There is no other Boston-to-Chicago railroad system.

But this is of little or no importance to New Englanders except as it is an indication of the commercial side of their railroad problem. Freight shipments originating in the Boston area, or being transferred from Boston's busy waterfront, destined for the Middle or Far West, may take their choice of accomplishing the first lap (Chicago) on a through-freight via B. & A., or routing by stages starting over one or two carriers from Boston. Reverse traffic is similarly confronted.

The new merger proposals of the Interstate Commerce Commission have disappointingly neglected to recognize this condition, although they are foresworn to a policy of "improvement via competition." It is unfortunate that one of the country's most enviable short-line franchises-- New York-to-Boston--could find no better use in the eyes of I.C.C. than to be hooked up to another short-line, of minor importance, which would accomplish a direct connection between

Oswego, New York and these other two great centers.

New England consumers, long inured to paying more for west-of-New York produce and manufactures, as well as New England producers, hampered by delays and high freight rates to and from their mills, may again recall that when Pennsylvania sought to reach its long western arm into their communities (chiefly Boston) a few years ago, by proposing to annex New York, New Haven & Hartford, nothing happened. Is it coincidence that New England-to-the-West railroad competition would still be a myth after the fulfillment of the I.C.C. merger proposal?

With such a tremendous scheme this could, of course, be oversight; but it would appear that by adding New York, Ontario & Western to the New Haven, and by further linking Boston & Maine with Delaware & Hudson, all New England roads would lead, more than ever, to New York Central--away from competitive improvement.

On the other hand, excellent connections await the New Haven in Manhattan with Pennsylvania via Hell Gate Bridge. Another possible connection could be made with B. & O. should they be inspired by the proposal to merge with Reading and Central of N. J. to construct their bridge across the Hudson in the neighborhood of 57th Street as discussed last year.

C. H. GILLETTE,

New York City

Chumly & Bumly

Sirs:

Through the medium of a friend I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity of glancing through your paper once in a while. Your publication of Nov. 18, under the heading of Letters contains a contribution by Hugh Gallaher under the title "Wemyss, Ruthven."

It has come to my mind that perhaps your readers would be more capable of pronouncing these "Old English" names if they could commit the following story to memory:

Bottomley once had occasion to call on Lord Cholmondeley. His ring at the latter's door was answered by one of those butlers, who are so often found in the employe of the English Nobility, and this butler in answer to Bottomley's enquiry as to whether Lord Cholmondeley was in or not, politely corrected Bottomley with the following phrase: "Lord Chumly, please Sir." To which Bottomley replied that he would be much obliged if he would announce "Mr. Bumly."

D. J. C. STEWART

Dairen, Manchuria.

Western Union Raise

Sirs:

In your current issue you ask for news about wage increases (TIME, Dec. 30).

On Oct. 15, Western Union announced that annual wage increases of approximately $2,000,000 had been agreed upon between company officials in conference with representatives of the employes.

On Dec. 14 the company announced that it saw nothing in the economic situation to warrant any change in its plan to distribute the wage increase beginning Jan. 1.

We might add that preliminary reports from our offices indicate a record-breaking file of holiday cablegrams and telegrams which in our opinion, tends to belie reports of restricted buying power.

H. L. HAMILTON

Advertising Manager Western Union Telegraph Co. New York City

Two Pictures

Sirs:

Referring to "Bawdy Boston" in TIME, Dec. 23. This condition that exists, especially in the bootlegging end of it, is rather general it seems and not confined to Boston. Neither is it unexpected or unusual. After all I suppose my generation is becoming more or less corrupted-- we are not supposed to be capable or qualified to make laws and enforce them! Look at this.

For example. My picture: Years spent in hard earned study and travel for a chosen profession. Located in little old home town where

I believe young men ought to locate. Found my dream girl here where I had always hoped to find her. Planned to make and save enough to take a real trip to Europe for a honeymoon to make it the everlastingly bright spot in a man's life that it can be made. Two years past and not enough work going on here to keep an architect's office busy. Time flying, girl waiting, prospects dull and the future in gravest doubts.

Bootlegger's picture: No work at all preparing for trade, a gain of several years. Making more in one year than I would need for a grand trip and a little laid aside for emergency. Best of people for clients. Plenty of business all the time. Reputation of no meaning, selling to a client whom I would have trouble convincing that my services would be worth the price of a few cases of rotten ''shine!" No community service, ability, training, character, brains or other such attribute required. Very little chance of failure and less chance of lawsuit or court action than in an average business or profession. Big bank account and profitable future.

Why, in the name of good old common sense, doesn't some person or persons with proper authority do something about it? Why not try to understand that young men are very human and impulsive? Certainly this isn't too much to ask of Congress or the Government? . . .

C. JULIAN OBERWARTH

Frankfort, Ky.

Surprised Delights

Sirs:

Doubtlessly such preciousness of publicities as this of extremes! rarity should evidently fail of consignation to avaricious basket of wasteness.

Thereupon I regard it of duty emanating highly to forward this ornamented jewel of literariness for surprised delights of estimable TIME Keepers.

JOSEPH WILSON COCHRAN

The American Church of Paris

63-65 Quai D'Orsay, Paris

Excerpts from the "publicites":

"Dear Sir:

"The aim of this circular is to show off the advantages of knowing a reliable name and address, where to apply when one is in search of the rarest and most ancient object, so fashionable nowadays.

"In our large galleries a realm museum has been assembled satisfying the shrewdest collectionner as well as the amateur.

"Therein, in a long labyrinth of the most various objects, dating from the remotest antiquity, middle ages up to XlXth century you will behold from the stone sculptures, marble, garden ornaments, woodwork, (old panellings), carved woods, iron work, furniture, tapestries, old seats, stuffs, candelabra, lampstands, clocks, china, etc. etc.

"Your surprise will receive the warmest welcome and we are convinced, that once known, you will communicate our address to your friends.

"BONZANO AND SONS"

Commas & Presidents

Sirs:

An original subscriber to TIME, I am disappointed to find you slipping up on the punctuation of nonrestrictive clauses. . . .

At my instigation, many Harvard students read TIME. In my classes I am meticulous about small things, believing ardently that the road to the President's desk loads past many carefully filled inkwells, many thoroughly swept floors. What's the use if you go back on me?

KENNETH P. KEMPTON

Newtonville, Mass.

TIME will increase its comma care.--ED.

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