Boys' Life/Volume 1/Number 1/Boy Scout News and Notes
NOTE
To Scout-Masters
It is the intention of the publishers to present in each issue the news of the Boy Scout Movement throughout the country and to attain this end we ask that Scout-masters send us as soon as possible all the news of their patrols for publication.
THE NEW ENGLAND BOY SCOUTS ARE SOON TO BE INCORPORATED
The New England department of American Boy Scouts have withdrawn from the National Organization, at the same time tendering their resignation as members of the department committee, turning the assets over to a provisional committee of Scout Masters, who have reorganized as the New England Boy Scouts, forming a temporary organization with the following Scout Masters chosen as follows:
Chairman, Everett F. McLean, Everett, Mass.
Vice-Chairman, Ernest W. Gay, Somerville, Mass.
Secretary, Edwin R. Short, Somerville, Mass.
Treasurer, Geo. S. Barton, Somerville, Mass.
The Boy Scout movement will be conducted by the New England Boy Scouts as an absolutely non-sectarian organization, having no connection with the National headquarters of the America Boy Scout, from the fact of the alleged mismanagement of the National headquarters.
EVERETT, MASS.
The Everett troop of ninety New England Boy Scouts paid a visit to the U. S. Military Post, Fort Banks, Winthrop, Mass., recently. Marching from Everett to Fort Banks, a distance of five miles, with only a ten-minute rest, making the distance in two hours and twenty minutes.
They were received by Captain Stock, who personally conducted them through the different points of interest, explaining, as they went, and just before parting with the Scouts addressed them on character-building and duty.
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
The troops of New England Boy Scouts here are progressing finely under Scout Master T. E. Maitland, an able and efficient instructor, who has made the Bridgeport Scouts what they are. The editor, on his visit to this command in October last, was impressed at once with the discipline of the Scouts. There are over three hundred Boy Scouts in Bridgeport, Connecticut, all uniformed.
NORTH ADAMS, MASS.
Most three hundred New England Boy Scouts here under Scout Master. A. J. Jourdanias. The Scouts are from all denominations and creeds, earnest, willing workers, proud that they are Scouts, doing good turns daily, in fact carrying out the principles of the Scout Law.
The County Committee are men of prominence and are deeply interested in the welfare of boys.
(Top row) Buckingham, Pride, Swartz
(Bottom row) Snider, Hubbard, Minge, Clarke
THE BOY SCOUTS
(Concluded from page 35)
IT IS NOT MILITARY
There is no military meaning attached to the name scouting. Peace scouting comprises the attributes of frontiersmen in the way of resourcefulness and I have never met a man who has seen war in a civilized country who remained a so-called anti-militarist. He knows too well the awful and cruel results of war, and until nations have agreed to disarm he will not invite aggression or leave his country at the mercy of an enemy by neglecting its defense. You might just as well abolish the police in order to do away with crime before you have educated the masses not to steal.
IT IS NOT SECTARIAN
An organization of this kind would fail in its object if it did not bring its members to a knowledge of religion—but the usual fault in such cases is the manner in which this is done. In our association, dealing with Jews, Hindoos, Greek Church, as well as with Catholics and Protestants, we cannot lay down strict sectarian ideas—if we would.
Parade of New England Boy Scouts
Secretary Short Tells of Plans for Big
Patriots Day Spectacle
Secretary Edwin Randolph Short of the provisional committee of the New England Boy Scouts announces that plans are well under way to hold a big Patriots Day Spectacle in Boston, where it is estimated that from 15,000 to 20,000 lads from every part of New England will parade through the streets.
Preliminary reports received by Secretary Short have made him most enthusiastic over the parade. "There has never been anything like it in the United States," he declares. "Rhode Island alone will send a thousand boys. It will be an imposing and instructive spectacle. Behind the advance police guard and band, will march file upon file of well-trained lads. And one in each eight will carry pennants of different kinds. The only arms the boys will carry will be the regulation Boy Scout staff and only the Scout Masters—men over 21 years of age—will wear swords. Each troop will carry a United States flag as well as a troop flag of their own design.
The staff of the Commander will be well worth watching, for the present indications are that there will be prominent clergymen, of all denominations, as well as well-known Boston and suburban business men represented.
SCOUT-MASTER ENTERS CONTEST
Ernest W. Gay, Scout-master of seventy boys in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, has entered the voting contest of the Boston American and is working hard to come out a winner.
He has been connected with the movement ever since it was started in America, and has been an enthusiastic worker in the cause.
Mr. Gay is vice-chairman of the New England Boy Scouts and his work has always been very commendable.
New England boys should send in their votes to him within two weeks after they appear in the American as they are useless after that period.
Send votes to Mr. Gay, 175 Pearl Street, Somerville, Massachusetts.
MAXIMS FOR SCOUTS
No scout wilfully kills an animal for the mere sake of killing, unless it is a harmful creature.
By continually watching animals in their natural state one gets to like them too well to shoot them. The whole sport of hunting animals lies in woodcraft of stalking them, not in the killing.
A dog is the most human of all animals and, therefore, is the best companion for a man. He is always courteous, and always ready for a game—full of humor and very faithful and loving.
We are very much like bricks in a wall—we each have our place, though it may seem a small one in so big a wall. But if one brick
First:—I believe in the American Boy Scout movement because it is for boys. Boys are worth while (girls also). The future belongs to them and they belong to the future. They are the Nation's best assets. We cannot do too much for them in a way that will help them to do the best for themselves. Boys' improvement is the aim of this movement, nothing else. Whatever can be done for their health, education, character, self-knowledge, needs to be done while they are boys (and girls). The nation and the homes of the nation will reap the benefit.
Second:—Because it is for boys as boys, without distinction. Material condition, creed, race, are ignored in behalf of the natural democracy of boyhood. The only things barred is moral or physical contagion. American life needs this mix-up. There are enough snobs to the square mile always. This mingling of all sorts and conditions of boys under wise control, will help to lessen the spirit of caste and to create the spirit of vital unity. "That they all may be one," has not lost its value as a working ideal among boys or men.
Third:—Because it appeals to boys at a point of natural interest—takes hold of their aptitudes for out-of-door things and controls them for health or efficiency. The dangerous hours are overruled for good. Idleness becomes industry; play is shot through with purity and purpose; wastes are turned into values for the up-building of the boy.
Fourth:—Because it hitches the boy's wagon to a star. No ideals and low ideals are labeled as "unworthy of the American Boy." Chivalry, Honor, Unselfishness, Kindness (without pay) are a part of the teaching of the Scouts. "Is there anything in it for me?" is changed to "Allow me, please." The spirit of courtesy is not overworked among us. Self-interest is too much with us. It is a blight upon our life. The antidote is in part such teaching as this movement furnishes for the inspiration of boy life.
Fifth:—Because it helps the boy to know his civic duty and his civic opportunity. The recognition of authority is not overmuch insisted upon in home life today. We are easy. Results are showing that disturb those who knew that, without obedience to law, there can be no liberty. Law, order, obedience, discipline, are important parts of the Scout idea—civic duty is thus enforced.
The civic opportunity as emphasized by the Scouts is best presented by a tow-path boy, who became our second martyred President, in the following sentence:—"There is no American boy, however poor, however humble, orphan though he may be, but that if he has a clear head, a pure heart, a strong arm, may not rise through all grades of society until he becomes the crown, the glory, the pillar of the State."gets rotten, or slips out of place, it begins to throw an undue strain on others, cracks appear, and the wall totters.
Woodcraft includes, besides being able to see the tracks of animals and other small signs, the power to read their meaning, such as at what pace the animal was going; whether he was frightened or unsuspicious and so on. It enables the hunter also to find his way in the woods or desert; it teaches him which are the best wild fruits, roots, etc., for his own food, or which are favorite food for animals, and therefore, likely to attract them.
ORGANIZE TO HELP BOY SCOUTS
The Boston Council of the Boy Scouts of America was organized February 6, at a meeting held at the Boston City club. A membership of one hundred business and professional men who are interested in helping boys was organized and committees elected to take charge of the local work. Headquarters will be continued in the Old South building.
Major Henry L. Higginson was elected president of the Boston council of the scouts; vice-presidents, Dr. David D. Scannell, Frank L. Locke, Louis A. Crossett, David A. Ellis; secretary, Frank S. Mason; treasurer, Charles C. Jackson; executive committee, Joseph Lee, J. J. Phelan, Arthur A. Carey, Carl Dreyfus, Mitchell Freiman and Harold Peabody.
James E. West, executive secretary of the national organization, who came on from Washington to attend the gathering, said the movement now has about three hundred thousand boys affiliated with its work in the United States, the Hawaiian Islands and Porto Rico, with two thousand commissioned scout masters in direct charge.
Mr. West, who is a Washington lawyer, took up his duties with the Boy Scouts of America about two months ago, largely because of his interest in the playgrounds movement and his concern over the proper development of outdoor recreation for boys.
Mr. West emphasized the fact that the Boy Scouts of America desires to be considered entirely independent and non-sectarian. He said that it aims to treat with the boys of Protestant and Roman Catholic religious beliefs, the Unitarians, Jews and all others, that there is no distinction of race or creed.
In speaking of the meeting of the National council, which comprises a membership of 150 men known throughout the country, Mr. West said that it will be the first one of that council and that it is to be held in Washington on February 14 and 15. One of the meetings is to be held in the East Room of the White House, by invitation of President Taft, who is honorary president, and who desires to show his interest in the movement.
BROOKLINE, MASS.
In the town of Brookline is the banner troop (75) New England Boy Scouts, under Scout Master J. V. Bandy.
This troop is progressive A No. 1, as to discipline and deportment, they are the champions of New England.
Other troops will have to work very hard to win their laurels away from them. This troop is just the one for you to study and follow, for they are in earnest.
Every Scout straight as an arrow, neat, tasty, polite, and maintains strict silence while in ranks.
That is the secret of their advancement, all this accomplished since they became Scouts, not quite three months ago.
Brookline has every reason to be proud of her fine troop of Boy Scouts.
ADAMS, MASS.
Scout Master Sidney Cliffe has over 150 American Boy Scouts, and has today requested that fifty more application blanks be sent special delivery.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
The boys in the University city are very enthusiastic and recruits are coming in very fast. Many of the boys are uniformed and are in fine shape.
DORCHESTER, MASS.
The Dorchester troops of the New England Boy Scouts are planning on a ball to be held in April. Mayor Fitzgerald of Boston and many other prominent men have signified their intention of being present.
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