Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-16
MODERN CRUSADERS
ARE BOY SCOUTS
Three Hundred Thousand Young
sters in Organization Which
Campaigns Effectively for
Public Veal.

There is something peculiarly stirring
about the vision of a band of young peo-
pie gathered together for great COM
mon cause How our sympathies were
| reused, back In the old schOoldays, by
that thirteenth century story of the chill
dren's crusade! How our imagination
was kindled by the thought of those 5O.-
Vo little volunteers who, inspired by the
| great wave surging over Europe. left
their homes in France and Germany and
| set FORTH unarmed but unafraid for
| Jerusalem, to win back the holy sepul-
| cher from the hands of the &C iquering
| Saracens!
We are far removed today from such
old-time fanaticism But even now the
New World has it's counterpart of that
eager army, writes S. A. Moffat. national
Held scout commissioner, in The Crafts
man. We f1nd our modern young cru
saders in the Campfire Girls and Boy
scouts of America-two youthful. enthu-
siastic bands that have spread across n
whole continent their ideals of helpful
COmradeShip and practical achievements
The value to the nation of these or
SaniZations as builders of a conscious
citizenship Is evident when one sees how
closely the young peoples interests are
linked with those of the community This
the Boy Scouts whose active share in
civic and State activities has become
during the last few years, n really vital
and progressive factor in many sections
of the country.
SCOUTS 100000 STRONG.
Tho Boy Scouts are 100000 strong, not
counting the 5000 scout masters and as
sistant scout masters. Everyone knows
in a general way what they stand for
their camps and sports and outdoor activ-
tiles, the badges and honors awarded for
special attainments in education. indus
try and art. But less widely known is
the work they do in corporation with
city and State officials to promote the
cleanliness health and happiness of the
people in their own particular neighbOr-
hood, to aid the State in forestry bird
and animal conservation and to volun-
tcer their services wherever they can
aid the cause of public welfare.
In the cities and towns all over the
country, Boy Scouts who wish to taste
the adventures and responsibilities of
active citizenship go to the Mayor and
ask how they can help. The, Mayor is
almost sure to be interested by their |
boylsh eaSerness, and sets them gladly |!
to work He gets his public health OFF,
GERS and his policemen to cooperate |
with the scouts In whatever undertaking |
stance. with general cleanup" cam |
paign. On one occasion the New York |
branch of the Boy Scouts had a "clcan- |
up campaign. and boys from certain !
troops went to the Ghetto and other |
East Side sections. They We're SO cner-
Eettc in clearing away refuse and debris
from back yards, roofs and fire escapes
ested ana gave most enthusiastic aid.
.ANTI-FLY CAMPAIGNS.
In some cities anti-fy campaigns were
started by the scouts, and in one place.
in Canada, they accomplished wonders
with the help of the cabmen. In New
York, this work has been done in CO.
operation with the city board of health
and the Museum of Natural History.
Posters We're printed and distributed
and moving pictures We're made showing
the ravages of flies as carriers of disease,
people how to get rid of them
by poison and traps, and how to prevent
their breeding. All over the country the
scouts visited owners of livery stables
md dirty back yards, and persuaded them
10 sign blanks promising that, with the
aid of the Boy Scouts, they would clean
Np their premises, get rid of manure,
garbage, etc, and do their share in the
movement toward cleaner cities The
results We're we'll worth the efforts
The protection of milk, meat ana other
oods from dust and flies is another mat
er to which the Boy Scouts give their
attention, for they know that unpro-
ected eatables are a source of danger
o the public health. They find out what |
avs have been passed in their town or
district for such protection, and how the
Ieople are living up 10 the laws. II
here are no regulations of this kind.
heir investigations are often influential
n creating demand for proper lesisla-
ion.
Tho fghting of actual disease is am !
'ther phase Of Boy Scout activity and ]
with health societies and l
hospitals they distribute posters describ- I
ng the dangers Of unhealthy environ !
nent, impure food and the precautions J
hat should be taken 10 avoid cuntagion.
n a number of the smaller towns the
Doys who have studied first aid" are
flowed by the police TO take a practical I
art in caring for injured persons ana .
warming people ON matters of public l
afety. During conventions some of the q
couts also frequent the railroad stations,
meet trains and act as guides t. listing /
transers.