New York project to save historic flags crumbling amid red tape

(Albany, New York-AP) -- New York state's efforts to save the nation's largest collection of Civil War battle flags is falling apart. <br><br>That's according to the man who once headed a

Wednesday, April 12th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Albany, New York-AP) -- New York state's efforts to save the nation's largest collection of Civil War battle flags is falling apart.

That's according to the man who once headed a committee in charge of planning the preservation of 1,500 battle flags, some dating back to the War of 1812.

Most of the flags -- including hundreds carried into Civil War battles by New York regiments -- are tightly furled e is causing the flags to decay.

Five years ago the state created a flag preservation committee and authorized funding for the project. But since then, New York Governor George Pataki has replaced the head of the committee, who says little has been done to save the flags.

State officials defend their handling of the flag collection. They say 15 of the flags have already been preserved at a cost of $10,000 a piece.