This letter is to set straight some misunderstandings that have been published concerning the centennial flag, which flew over the nation's Capitol when Utah became a state. This flag was placed in storage for many years until the room was cleared out, at which time Sen. Reed Smoot obtained the flag and presented it to the Utah State Society.
This society was an organization of Utahns who lived and worked in the Washington, D. C., area. The flag remained in the custody of a succession of the society's presidents until the society was disbanded, at which time it was presented to the outgoing president, Serge N. Benson. Mr. Benson kept the flag carefully folded in a briefcase, showing it during some of his lectures. However, we never saw him completely unfold it.Mr. Benson began his career working at the tariff commission while he completed studies for his law degree. He thereafter became an adviser to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. He served in Washington in the same era as Sen. Bennett, father of the current Sen. Bennett. His job entailed doing research, drafting bills and writing briefs and speeches.
When he passed away, the flag was inherited by his six children. We are certainly not trying to give it away but are hoping to let it be displayed as a symbol of our Utah heritage. We are in need of counsel on how to best preserve and display the flag and have already received some good advice since the article was published.
Ruth Lehenbauer
Logan