124.02/1217a
The Secretary of State to All American Diplomatic and Consular Officers
Sirs: Officers have from time to time requisitioned extra large size American flags for possible display on roofs of buildings in case of war. The Department does not have these large flags in stock and the cost of obtaining any great number of them is prohibitive.
The War Department says experience has demonstrated that the display of such flags has not proven very satisfactory. It suggests that large size letters such as U. S. A., for instance, seven feet in height, the width in a one to seven ratio to the height, painted on horizontal surfaces in chrome yellow on a black background, are more clearly visible from the air.
Very truly yours,