For me the interesting aspect is why the WTS finds it so important to make this distinction. It seems to me to be part and parcel of the reaction against catholicism (and organized religion) that seems so apparent in Russell's writings.
The cross was seen as such a major symbol that it seemed important to debunk it. Since the cross/stake issue is a basic plank in the JW platform (along with no Trinity, no Hellfire and no blood - er, um, ah...), it becomes an ideational issue without much importance (to me) outside of an "is not/is so" argument.