New-York tribune., 1912-02-11
SCOUTS GREET BIG CHIEF.
Baden-POWeII Receives RouSIng
Welcome from 5000 Boys.
HAS BLIND GUARD OF HONOR
Nov / Am an American" He
Cries in an 0utburst Of En-
thusiasm at Review.

In the greatest, outpouring OF boyhcod the
movement has ever seen, In this country
at least. the Boy Scouts Of America came
marching from three states TO make heap
big medicine in honor OF Lieutenant Cen
eral Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell at the
list Regiment Armory yesterday afternoon.
Three thousand of them, they came. IL
only took the appearance Of Baden-Poweii
himself to turn that sea of babbling voices
into all the cheering any conquering gen.
eral could want to salute his fame.
There were just as many events in scout
craft to be run off as there are letters IN
the alphabet, and they fell to without more
ceremony. five, six, ten groups OF them at
once. until no Touring circus ever sur
passed the list Regiment Armory for diver
sihed excitement.
Here were boys building u tower out OF
tall saplings till II stood forth high and
stanch. with boy atop Of il holsung an
American flag; there others were raising a
complete wireless mast and sending mes
sages cracking from 1t to the reviewing
stand. In another corner others were
showing how to resuscitate almost drowned
comrades, and there were frehghting
scenes, woodcraft scenes (such as making
tent raising contests. and, not the least in
teresting, troop of small Cinnamon going
through their drills as soberly as though
the success Of the revolution in China de-
pended upon their efficiency.
The great floor of the armory was busy
with scoutcraft in all its forms, and among
1t all General Powell rambled, Inspecting
admiring and praising the efficiency Of the
youngsters.
Into it all came bit Of pathos that was
quick to touch the veteran warriors heart
when he took his seat in the reviewing
stand he noticed troop Of boys seated be
hind him. completely cut off from view OF
the floor.
These boys can't see thing" he OBJ
jected They should be moved out IN
'front.'
.They're the blind troop. general" he was
told. They are your guard Of honor. II
won't be necessary to move them out Tor
they could not see, any way
After the detailed demonstrations OF
scoutcraft were completed came the great
spectacular event of the day. The troops
all took their places at the edge of the
floor while General Powell was escorted 70
the centre. Then melting away from the
abreast. a column began 10 wind itself
moro closely and closely in great spiral
marching toward the centre till all were in
q and the floor was filled with the scouts
Then at a command they all squatted-
which was a signal for the biggest demon
stration of youthful shouting OF the day.
CAPS went into the air like corn in pop
per I'LL al last tho scout masters COM
manded silence.
General Powell then addressed a few
words of greeting and appreciation to the
boys, expressing his qualification at the
strength Of the movement in this country.
Two minutes ago" he said in his en-
thusiasm, II was an Englishman. But now
am an American" From the roof at this
moment unfurled a great English flag then
an American, and finally the Boy Svout
banner Again the shouts and the popcorn
effect of hats
Then the spiral column rose and faced
inward. making a long, winding lane over a
mile in length, out Of which the reviewing
party unwound its way out. and the review
was over.
At the second annual meeting OF the Ma
tional Council Of the Boy Scouts Of Ameri-
ca. held yesterday morning, 1t was de-
cided to establish a magazine. w. D. Boyce.
OF Chicago, vice-president agreeing TO
finance It for three years.
President Taft was elected honorary
president Of the organization, and Theodore
Roosevelt was elected vice-president. Colin
II. Livingstone. Of Washington. was chosen
president Additional subscriptions Of $500
q month have been promised by John
Rockefeller and Mortimer Schiff.
1t was announced yesterday that General
Baden-Powell will be guest of Mr. Roose-
welt at luncheon to-day at Oyster Bay
spending the afternoon there The trip
will be made in automobiles, and the gen.
eral will be accompanied by Clifford Pin
chot. George d. Pratt and James z. West