The Washington herald., 1911-03-19

Years ago some one discovered that
the boys Of America were growing up
without any knowledge of the woods
and fields. Not me boy in ten knew
the track of a rabbit in the snow from
that of a dog or red fox. They knew
nothing of how to build a fire or find
their way through the woods. They
could not tell one constellation of stars
from another. and knew only vaguely
that there was a North Star. They
were smoking cigarettes. shooting craps,
and aping their elders vices generally
Now and then some of them showed they
were still boys at heart by running
away, TO go West and kill Indians or
be cowboys
dozen schemes were tried. Some
OF the schemers, notably that ardent
naturalist and brilliant author. Ernest
Thompson Seton. tried TO make In
dams of their boys. Others, like Dan
Beard. started organizations named after
Old frontiersmen. They were all on the
right track, but it was left TO Gen
Baden Powell. of England to seize upon
the ideas Of Seton, Beard, and their
imftators and t. elaborate them into
the Boy Scout movement.
The growth of this Boy Scout idea
has been one of the most marvellous
things of the era. 1t came into being
two and a half years ago. There are
now about 100000 Boy Scouts in Eng
land and 2ON.OnO in the United States
and Mexico. In all parts of the civilized
world the movement has taken root.
hut nowhere has its growth been so
rapid as in America. The first scouts
7t-N- act
mer as an Outgrowth of Sotons In
dams. In another year our scouts will
probably excel in number the whole of
Great Britains Boy Scout forces.
The Movement Here.
Washington. as usual. has been a lit
tie slow in getting into the game, but
within the past few months much has
cen done and already Nc have in our
eleven scout troops about &oo briSht-eyed
active, first and second class scouts with
new troops and patrols being organized
every week.
These khaki-clad lads Of ours are en-
gagged in the pleasing pasti1ne Of knock
ing out the effects Of the dime novel and
cradicating the youthful taste for crap
shooting and the punE"nt cigarette They
hail from every part of Washington and
l'Iii-l' JOY buSlN III lil'' utlllNtIdllC, CitSS-
less fashion of scouts. They are polite,
Clcan-limbcd. clear-eycd. and sturdy.
Their fingers hear no stains Of the Ciga-
rottC, and they have a frank, manly
hearing that cannot help h' appeal to
any one VINO engages them in conversa-
ton.
In order to understand why these Boy
Scouts are different from the usual boys
10 be found on our Streels and vacant
lots. one must know sOmething Of the
organization which is doing such won
derful work in the making Of real manly
boys. who are 10 become the nations
really manly men.
The scouts Law.
Broadly stated. the objective Of the
scout movement is 70 build UP character
and make good citizens; to prevent lads
from becoming either Ioafers. on the one
hand. OF selfish money worshipers. on
tn" other. The nine points of the scout
law, which every tenderfoot takes an
oath to obey. are as follows:
scouts honor is to be trusted.
Scout is loyal to the president
and his Officers. to his parents, his
country, and his employers.
Scouts duty is TO he useful and
to help others.
4 Scout is a friend to all and n
brother to every other Scout, no
matter to what social class the
other belongs.