Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-08-15
CONGRESS MAY AID BOY SCOUTS
Senator Page Hopes Congress Will
Make Appropriation.

Make Appropriation.
United States Senator Carroll s.
Page of Vermont, believes that the Boy
Scout movement is leading in line Of
educational work and character build
ing that eventually will be approved
by congress through legislation. Be-
fore becoming interested in the Boy
Scout movement, says the Washington
Post, he made study of the methods
of educating boys and girls in different
countries, and now has introduced a
bill in congress to provide for the CO.
operation of the Federal government
with the states In encouraging instruc-
ton in agriculture, trades, Industries,
and home economics In secondary
schools, state normal schools, colleges
and universities.
Such a bill would call for an appro-
priation Of millions Of dollars. The
leaders of the Boy Scouts of America
and Senator Page doubtless will CO.
operate in working for this bill, as
they feel that the Boy Scout principles
are along the lines of the measure.
Speaking Of this measure and the
Boy Scout principles, Senator Page
says:
Il am especially interested in the
better education Of the boys and girls
Of our land, and my bill Is in such en-
tire harmony with the work that you
are trying to do that I have thought
1t best to send it to you. My theory Is
that after a boy has come to the age
when he must become in part a bread
winner for the family, he ought to be
examined carefully by expert methods
and the line Of work ascertained for
which each particular boy is adapted
Il have no doubt that a Boy Scout
Is better equipped man by far when
he reaches the age of IS or 21 than a
boy who has not had the benefit Of
scoutcraft instruction.
MY idea Is that the general gov
ernment should blaze the trail for the
states in such way as to lead up to a
fairly decent education in agriculture
for the boy who decides to be q far
mer, and in trades and in Industries
for the boys who design to be mer-
chants or mechanics, and 1t should fit
the girl with a practical education on
home economics so that she becomes a
better wife, better mother and bet
ter housekeeper.
How much of the Boy Scout line of
education could be introduced into the
educational work which my bill pro-
vides for, may be a matter of doubt,
but that they are In harmony and
work along kindred lines together can
not, 1t seems to me, be questioned, and
it occurs to me that scoutcraft work
could be very materially benefited by
the splendid equipment which scout
craft would give"
The Boy Scouts Of America have
trebled in the last eight months.
There are now $500 scout masters
registered with the national organiza-
tion. On January 1 there were only
1,400. These facts alone show that
there are three times as many troops
Of scouts under the direction Of the
leaders of the Boy Scouts Of America
as there were in the beginning Of the
year. While 1t Is hard to figure on
the number of boys, yet 1t Is quite
probable that the Boy Scouts alone
number three times as many as at inc
beginning of the year.
This remarkable growth Is due to
many reasons. Boys in every village,
town and city throughout the country
have read Of the principles of the
scout movement, and have appreciated
how much fun they can have under a
good trainer or scout master, who
takes them into the woods and teaches
them various useful things for play
and work.
Many young men, learning Of the
principles of the scout movement have
become enthusiastic workers and have
made efforts to organize troops be-
cause they are fond of the woods and
fond of the activities outlined in the
scout manual.
The general interest in the scout or
ganization has spread over the country
gradually and persistently In the last
year and half, and there are more
Boy Scouts in America today than
there are in any other country in the
world.
Since the meeting Of the national
council at the White House early in
February, greater interest has been
aroused in the movement because new
badges have been turned out for the
boys, a new manual has been issued,
and many things have been done to
appeal directly to the American boys.
Business and professional men also
have taken increased interest In the
work and have formed local councils In
various cities and towns to supervise
the scout activities in their localities.
The scout organization has become so
strong in several cities that secretaries
have been employed to handle the great
amount Of detail.
The leaders Of the Boy Scouts regard
this growth not as temporal, but as
due to the inherent strength and ap-
peal Of the scout principles. They feel
sure that the organization which has
been approved by the members Of diff
ferent religious and different organiza-
tions dealing with boys work Is a
thoroughly permanent institution In
the life Of the country.