The Washington times., 1914-02-13
SHOWS GROWTH OF
SCOUT MOVEMENT
Chief Scout Executive Tells of
Various Institutions That
Have Approved Work.

The growth Of the Boy Scout organi-
cations of the United States was indi-
cated by the report Of the chief scout
.~ecutive James r. West, formerly Of
Washington, to the National Council.
Commissions were granted in 1913 to
3,2S9 sccItmasterS, LOG assistant scout
masters. and $50 scout commissioners,
and charters We're granted to local scout
councils in 2S1 cities and towns. making
a total Of $3.50 commissioners, as COM
Jared with 4,6+5 for the previous year
and A3s0 for the year 1911.
An illustration OF the progress Of the
hoys themselves in scout activities IS
shown by the number OF badges
awarded, each badge being a sign of
recognition of distinct achievements D!
the boys.
The number of tenderfoot badges is
sued in 1913 was 60.Ol5; second class
badges, 15, ,27l: drst class badges, Azi! /;
and merit badges 1897: The merit 5
work done, and examinations passed
after the scout has reached the rank OF
first class scout.
During the year 127, $50 copies Of The the
scout handbook were printed ana us
tributed, making a total Of $3.50.
Barriers Disappear.
lTr. West told Of the successive dis
appesrance of barriers which, through
misunderstanding. have to q greater or
less extent interfered with the extension
u tho benefits Of scouting to all boys.
'Information has recently come TO this
office" he said, showing that the Ma
tionaI Socialist party had, without our
knowledge, investigated the several BOY
Scout organizations in this country 3nc
made an analysis favorable TO the 30.
scouts of America. AS result their
information bureau has complied \ CIT
cI;lar favorable to our movement, Wnlch
IS sent to their inquirers.
Ever since the moTement starlen =
spirit of antagonism had been mani
rested toward it by certain Soclaist or
zsnfZationS, making il difhcJlt for men
interested in the welfare of boys 10 m
troducs the pleasures and dement's OF
1.-The interest of the Roman Cathollc
Church IN scouting throughout the
country is rapidly developing, following
the . appointment Of Victor r. Rld.
ier as q national scout commissioner,
said Mr. West His eminence, Cardl-
nal Farley, has heartily co-operated in
his matter and already great many
troops have been organized The Roman
Catholics have made clear their desire
70 affiliate with the scout movement on
he same basis as otlIer troops, merely
asking that groups OF Roman Csthohc
boys be under the direction OF Roman
Catholic 7scoutmasters.
Train Scoutmasters.
"As evidence of their keen interest IN
this subject a training school for
Roman Catholic scoutInasters IS being
conducted at ST Patrcks Cathedral, in
New York city, under tire direction of
Alfred Chalmers Charles, deputy
scout commissioner Of New York city.
The Morplons, toe. have taken up the
scout movement as a means Of improve
ment for their boys. OF this Mr.. West
said:
In last March plans were definitely
completed whereby the Mormon Church
officially recommended that the leaders
Of the LOO groups Of boys Of The Mu-
tual Improvement Association take up
the scout program. This they have
been doing with much enthusiasm. and
at the present time there are troops
connected with Mormon Institutions
obligated TO the scout oath and law
Mr.. West told also of the cooperation
of chambers OF commerce and boards
Of trade with boy scout organizations
IN many cities.