Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-06-08

Is TO Further the Interests Of Good
! Roads-Msny Lads Anxious to Be-
come Scouts.
To save bcys WHO have tendency
to fail into tie Delinquent class the
! National Highway Protective society
in New York has formulated com
! prchcnsive plan to provide additional
! fairgrounds for children and n boys
scout organization similar to that
which has proved so successful in
England. The support of Mayor Gay
nor of New York city will be enlisted
by the society. and an appeal will be
made TO every patriotic person for
contributions TO the necessary fund to
engineer the scheme. The project had
its Inception about Il month ago. Colo
mel Edmond s. Cornell, secretary Of
the National Highway Protective So
ciety. in outlining the scope of the
plan said that the basic idea of the
scouts organization is to further the
interests of good roads from coast to
coast
''How." he asks. can an army move
unless it has proper roads,"
At recent meeting of representa-
tiveS of children's aid societies of New
York city. at which Colonel Cornell
presided, Il committee Of five was ap-
pointed to request Mayor GaynOr's
help IN having the city permit the use
Of its unused property and of school
lots in summer as Fairgrounds. The
/ n dx-fc ~ Of re1- ir,r 90
cant lots 10 let them be used for ball
games, etc, was discussed. a. X
Wing, counsel for the New York
Transportation company. will take
charge Of this plan. The need of quick
action was emphasized by the report
that the number Of children killed in
the streets was increasing with every
month
But the principal object Of the socie-
" is to put on foot the scout move
ment
In every locality, it IS argued, there
are many boys in summer who have
nothing to do but play on the streets.
Many would be glad to do something
worth while" 1t is purposed to take
these boys. ranging in years from
twelve TO seventeen. and organize them
into military companies.
Scope of Their Field Work
The boys will spend the time out
doors mapping the roads, constructing
bridges and performing other field
work. An aerOplane department will
furnish plenty os excitement and in
struction in the fundamental principles
Of aviation. In short, the scope of
work will encompass the latest scien-
tific fields. including wireless telegra-
ply. Aside from an effort to build up
character such as will mature into ex-
cellent citizenship material, the boys
will be taught to render the govern
ment direct service. it is believed.
by gradually acquiring much desired
information that would prove valuable
in time of war.
Primarily the scouts movement was
conceived by General Baden-PoweH Of
England to inStill and stimulate a mill
tant national patriotism. He evolved
the idea of combining self sacrifice.
self discipline and national service
with dash of attractive amusement
in educating boys. The moral and So
cial Influence has been very marked in
England. it is claimed.
Chief among the basic elements of
appeal in the scout movement is the
fact that it enables every boy to live
In degree life of adventure and dis
coyery so dear to the pucrile heart.
Colonel Peter S. Bonus. L. S. ~.
retired. has been chosen to head the
scout movement in the United States.
His election as commander in chief
seems to have been happy choice. for
! Colonel Bonus has an attractive per
sonality that should appeal to the boys.
Furthermore, he has been an Indian
fighter and has seen service in the
Philippines. Colonel Clifford Hurry Of
New York has been appointed treas
urer of the organization
Many Wish to Become Scouts.
An effort is now being made to en-
list the right kind Of men in every
state in the Union to take CHARGE Of
the movement in different localities.
number Of applications have already
been received. but the society is tax
ing every nrecaution to secure the Lest
available state commanders If sufi-
cient funds are obtained in time the
scouts will take the field this summer.
Already the plan has met with an
unexpected demonstration of enthusi-
asm. The other day nearly hundred
ambitious youngsters charged upon the
Offices of the National Highways asso-
citation in New York city in an effort
to enlist. They were Informed that