The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-15
By J. CLINTON RANSOM.


State. They compose a club called the
Booster Club" and any young man
resident Of the county who is in SYM
pathy with the objects Of the organiza-
tion is eligible to membership.
This club grew out of a suggestion
made in speech in Iron County by the
state superintendent OF immigration that
when the boys born in Missouri should
once become filled with State pride and
stay at home to help build up its IN
dustries the State would not have much
need OF immigrants. This idea made
deep impression upon a young man
named Charles Curtiss. and he speedily
found about thirty-ive others who
shared his views and the Booster Club"
was formed with Curtiss as it's presi-
dent.
Largely Farmers Boys.
The club was formed largely Of farmers
boys. and the first object before them
was to make n success Of the Arcadia
Valley Land Congress which will meet at
Arcadia May 18th and 26th. But the
club saw further than this and adopted
as its motto. Boost everything good
and let the pessimist and knocker die a
natural death"
The club is essentially a boys or
ganizatou and has grown in a few
months from thirty-five to fifty members.
The club attended a meeting in the opera
house at Arcadia and fairly raised the
roof by their peculiar yells given IN
place of applause and similar to the
yells adopted by college and university
classes. one Of the things the club has
in prospect is To present a theatrical
production entitled the Knockers Fate.
in which the town knocker meets his
just deserts at the hands OF citizens
fired with enthusiasm for the develop
ment or local institutions. The play is
about 10 be produced by the members
of the club al the local opera house.
Work for Local Betterment.
one Of the tenets OF the club Is that
the members agree 10 work first for the
Arcadia Valley, then for Iron County
and then for the State of Missouri. They
agree TO remain as far as possible whore
they were born to stay at home and
work out the problem OF life there. Thu
members promise aid TO fellow members
and agree TO study the agricultural and
industrial problems which confront the
people Of Iron County. This boys club.
though &c has not been I'm existence a
year, is already looked upon as one OF
the most active forces FOR good in Iron
County.
II viii occur to any thoughtful person
that the action Of these young Missouri
ians Is a most sensible course for young
men 20 pursue. Instead Of casting about
for means TO get away from home they
have decided TO stay and cast in their
lot with what the accident of birth and
early training have given them. Instead
Of seeking a better lot elsewhere they
have hit upon the plan Of making the lot
better right az home.
VIII Become Force.
Naturally these fifty boys will become
active forces in the community. They
will learn how 10 work for the public
good and for the agricultural and indus
trial advancement of the region with
which they are most familiar. II is not
too much TO expect that these young
men viii go to the front as citizens Of
Iron County and I'm future years largely
mold IT'S destiny.
The club is already working with the
State immigration Commission II is as
well known at the capital Of the State
as any political organization I'm Missouri
tt is at the forefront OF every local move
ment for betterment and has largely sup
planted the elders i'm the work Of build
ing up the town and county.
The idea worked out I'm Missouri is
capable Of adoption anywhere. The
principles OF this club are applicable 70
the boys Of any community. 1t would
work out almost as well IN the city as
the country, and such a club. well
ofhcered and managed. could not fail 10
make itself felt in any community large
or small I'm these United States.
Might Try It in Washington.
Reflection will convince one that Wash
ington has need Of some such, move
ment among the boys This city Of all
cities in the country needs the efforts and
loyalty Of its boys for its upbuilding.
Because the city's industry is limited and
because opportunities for profitable en-
ploymeut do not exist here 20 the degree
they do in some other places, the boys
Of Washington much too frequently leave
home and spend their careers I'm the cities
OF the States. helping TO build up enter
prises that do not need them so much as
the home city does.
a live club Of Washington boys. whose
schooling has been obtained here, who
have entered fields Of employment in the
city and who hope 10 stick 20 the capt.
tai could not fail Of being a power in
the community. II a hundred such boys
were banded together I'm a club the OBJ
jects Of which would be to enlarge the
opportunity for labor and expand the
Industries OF the Capital they could in a
few years do much to change conditions
here. A great need exists in Washington
along the line which the Booster Club
in Missouri is working. They are not
going out into the world 20 seek oppor-
tunity but are expecting TO bring op-
portunIty TO them.
Now II this principle could be ap-
piled in Washington It Is not difficult to
believe that good results would follow
For example the club should be made up
Of Washington boys past the school age
actually employed here. One OF the ef-
forts Of the club might be through seri-
GUS application and efficiency on the part
Of the membership to gain a high reputa-
tion among employers so that recon-
mendation from the clubs officers Of an
applicant would be tantamount 10 get
ting a position.
Benefit Of Concerted study.
Another line Of effort might be the
careful study OF the fields OF employment
in which the members are engaged to the