El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-14
Making SeIf-ReIiant Boys
Through Boy Scout Brigades
Movement Proves Mighty Help Development Boys
Useful knowledge of, Outdoor Life

"HE National Council of Boy
Scouts of America Is in session
today in Washington. The Boy
Scouts Of America and the Boy Scouts
of England constitute one of the most
interesting social uplift movements on
record, and are mighty factors in the
development of boy life and character.
The two organization are practically
Identical in objects and methods, close
~ affiliated through the mutual
friendship and understanding of their
founders. Sir Robert s. S. BadenPow-
ell in England. and Ernest Thompson
Seton in America.
Utilizing the "Gang" Spirit.
To the latter and to this country be-
longs the honor of the basic idea and
the earlier organization. About the
year 1900 Ernest Thompson Seton con-
ceived the notion that the gang spir-
it," so marked among boys between
the ages of u and q, and which so
frequently leads to fighting and preda-
tory habits, could be utilized for mu-
tual service and uplift. So he pro-
ceeded to organize tribes" of Seton
or Woodcraft indians, with signs
passwords and code Of conduct and
morals. The object he had in view
was to seize the boys character in it's
AC0-4lOl STAKE Oh IOI PnS
steal activity. and to weld it into the
right shape and encourage and develop
its individuality so that the boy would
become a good man and a valuable citi-
zen. The Seton indians increased lust
lily in numbers until there were upward
of 100000 boys and youths enrolled.
Boy Scouts In England.
In 1907 a gallant English soldier
and general the justly popular Sir
Robert Baden-Powell, who had become
endeared to the hearts Of his country
men by his heroic defence Of Ladysmith
during the Boer war, founded the Boy
Scouts in England. based upon and CO.
operating with Mr.. Seton's idea. Hence
forth the two men worked in unison
on either side of the Atlantic. But
the younger movement far outstripped
It's American cousin growth and popu
larity. AT this writing there are half
a million English boys enrolled and an
other large contingent in Canada,
where the idea was seized on with
equal avidity.
The scheme of the Boy Scouts lays
special emphasis on outdoor recreation
and self-trainlng. Scouts must be be-
tween the ages Of u and IS. Upon en-
listing they are classed in three rat
ing. tenderfoot or probationary, sec
which certain definite practical tests
have to be passed TO gain the rank and
its insignia. Each group Of six or
eight scouts forms a patrol, with leader
and corporal. Three or more patrols
form a troop which is headed by
scout master" usually a young man
older than the lads in the troop. There
are also local committees Of scout
masters and others interested in work
among boys. city and state councils.
and the national president, the chief
scout
Wear Comfortable Uniform.
As nearly as pOss bile the boys wear
a comfortable free and easy uniform
of flannel shirt, short Khaki trousers
with stockings turned down at the
knee. a neckerchief of the patrol colors.
a khaki haverSack. all topped off with
a flat-rimmed felt hat The only wea-
pom carried is a light staff-nO guns
or pistols-and only a pocket knife AS
a matter of fact the uniform is so
slight as to present no bar to enlist
ment in the Boy Scouts. and especial
stress is laid upon the freedom con-
ferred by this free and easy dress The
funda mental principles to which the
Boy Scouts adhere are included in their
pledge and their law The candidate
gives his word of honor to do his duty
to God and country, to help others at
all times. to obey the Scout law and
to live up to its maxims-
Not an Army Feeder.
There is in some quarters here and
in England a mistaken impression that
the Boy Scouts are a purely military
organization, and that the real pur-
pose behind the movement IS to feed
standing army. Nothing could be FUR
thor from the truth Before a scout