Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-01
BOY SCOUT movement
IS PRAISED BY DANIELS
Secretary Of the Navy Addresses
Scoutmasters at Luncheon at
Raleigh Hotel.
Final Instructions Are Given for
"Tag Day"-Speeches
by Others.

Secretary Daniels of the Navy Depart
ment. addressing the scoutmasters of the
District of Columbia at their luncheon
at the Raleigh Hotel today, expressed a
hearty appreciation OF the unself1shness
OF the scoutmasters in their efforts to aid
the boys who are under their guidance
"A mistaken impression has gained cur
rency." said the Secretary. that you
scoutmasters receive pay for the work
you do. That this is not true we all know; ;
that 1t could not be true is shown by the
character of the work you do-a work
which could not be bought with a salary.
There are two things in life worth
while besides religion continued the
Secretary. They are enthusiasm and
initiative. When men lose these two
things they have lost the two best factors
In their happiness and usefulness. The
great danger in life is when a man gets
up around fifty he will become so en-
crossed and immersed in business and in
comrades of his own age that he will lose
all touch with enthu siasm.
1t Is the greatest thing in the world
for those of us who are growing to
more years than we wish to admit
to be able to keep in touch with en-
thusiasm and youth. 1 manage 1t very
well. for have four boys in my home,
one of whom is a Boy Scout whose en-
thusiasm and zeal are inspiring and
stimulating. He never goes on a hike
that he does not come back with Joy
in his face, so bright and happy that it
radiates the whole house. so that l
have been wanting to Join myself If
/ could get the enthusiasm out of it
that he gets l would be fifty years
younger"
Fills Want in Boys Lives.
Mr.. Daniels referred to the changed
{,, rxybi
those in which they lived but a few years
ago in this country and told how COM
pletely the Boy Scout movement fills a
want in the lives Of boys which has aris-
en- by means Of these changed conditions.
Even greater than the physical exer-
cises and the direction of the boy's mind"
he said, lis the spirit of the Boy Scouts
the spirit of cleanness of life and clean
ness of thinking.
II sometimes think that II there is any
thing in the world that would make me
doubt the goodness Of God. it would be
the fact that He gave to the boy in his
teens all the passions Of a man with
out his restraint and judgment So those
of US who have sons and want to see
them grow to strength wish to safeguard
them from temptations to mar their lives
before they are old enough to know what
they mean.
and the Boy Scout movement puts
into the boys the love of the country,
and it gives them this splendid obliga-
ton, this oath of yours, that is as
wholesome and as elevating as the oath
the Athenian citizens took, which is a
classic. 1t gives them something SPLEEN
did and ideal to live up to.
II believe we shall find evolving out
of the Boy Scout movement a new gen
Grafton of men, men fit in mind and fit
in body and fit in moral fiber. After
all, II a man has no moral fiber. what
is everything else worth? You must
build on that and on physical strength,
and root in them"
Instructed for "Tag Day"
Scout Commissioner E. S. Martin gave
the scoutmasters their final instructions
in connection with Boy Scout tag day"
Saturday Arthur c. Moses. president of
the local Boy Scout council and host at
today's luncheon, spoke a word of en-
couragement for the scouts and the men
who are at the head Of the scout move
ment, complimenting them on the results
attained.
Colin H. Livingstone, president of the
Boy Scouts of America, spoke briefly on
the service which the scoutmasters are
giving to the country through their work
among the boys. Other speakers were
Henry P. Blair, president of the board
of education, and B. I. Galloway, as
ter speaking of the vast amount of in
formu!ative matter to be had for the ask
ing in his department. much of which, he
said, would be of great value to Boy
Scouts of the cities as well as to mem
bers Of rural troops OF scouts.