The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-02-06
boy SCOUT RALLY
PROVES BIG EVENT
Fully 1000 Detroit Youngsters
Entertain Their Friends
With Scout Tactics

II one were lacking In appreciation
or an understanding of the Boy Scout
movement, visit to the annual In
door rally, demonstration and exhibi'
ton at the Light Guard armory, Fri
day evening. would have dispelled
any doubt as to the wisdom OF such
an organization of boys, and furnished
ample opportunity to study their
methods.
Two thousand. possibly more
scouts were at attention promptly on
time when the scout orchestra played
the opening overture, followed imme-
diately by that stirring '"Tiperary
tune. and one OF the delightful events
OF the evening was the joining in OF
the scouts in whistling this popular
air. The effect was really thrilling
and many pretty feminine lips In the
audience were seen to quicker into at
tempts to follow the lads. Even
dignifled men with silvery locks
turned time backward and whistled
merrily away.
Then the clear notes Of bugle
called the boys to attention again, to
repeat in unison the scout oath, "On
my honor I will do my best to do my
duty to God and to my country, and
obey the scout law; to help other
people at all times; to keep myself
physically strong. mentally awake and
morally straight"
This impressive ceremony made q
splendid prelude to the remarks OF
g. ID. Pope, president Of Detroit Boy
Scout council. opening the exercises
OF the exhibition. The popularity OF
this gentleman with the boys was
evident In the respectful attention
they paid to his nice little speech and
vociferous cheering at It's conclusion
The parade of the troops. led by Q
massed band OF bugles, was an Inn
pressive sight. but, as gentleman
sitting near remarked, the erect
would have been much better on a
100-acre lot, the presumption being
that boys are at their best with lots
Of elbow room.
The physical drill, demonstrating
both American and Swedish move
ments. by troops 10. IL, q, "a, 35, 80
and 40. pleased the audience inn
mensely, and was gracefully per
formed.
A far-away look came into. the eyes
Of many of the men In the audience
land by the way, there were very few
vacant seats In any part Of the large
armory) when the camping scenes
were put on, memory travelling back
over intervening years to similar
scenes in their own lives, no doubt
Highland Park troops 2, 4 and 5 and
troops IL and 20 participated in this
demonstration, and cleverly showed
how easy II is to make oneself com
Portable with even the most print
tive means.
An exhibition drill by troop 81. win.
ners OF first place In the June field
day of last year, was very fine, and
the tugs Of war, engaged In by about
40 troops, isned<amusement and
thrilling entertainment, the gallant
efforts OF weaker troop to with
stand the forceful determination of a
stronger one to drag them through
the dust OF defeat, awakening admira-
ton along with enthusiastic applause
for the victors.
Producing fire without match
puzzles most people. old as well as
young, and to the uninitiated In the
audience II looked somewhat like
black art, when boy in troop 20 pro-
duced blazing sheet of paper in
just SO seconds, with no other ingredi-
ents than two sticks. a string and a
board. Friction properly applied
solves the problem.
To give detailed description of
all the stunts" would be impossible
here, however much II may be de-
sired, SO those who failed to attend
must be content with this brief re-
sumo OF the proceedings and realize
what they missed by the remarks
heard on all hands: ct certainly
beat any circus I ever saw"
! First aid drills, wall scaling. Initial.
ing a tenderfoot, model meetings, TAX
ing patient over ninefoot wall, sig
Mailing, street work I'm assisting the
police in case of accidents and impro-
vising stretchers, bridge building,
making ladders from slaves, dumb
bell drills. knot tying. fire fighting
and rescue work. games In fitting.
tumbling, Mexican cock lighting. In
dian wrestle. spar fight. badger pull.
blind tag. and others, kept the audi
ence interested and amused from the
opening Of the program to the sing
ing OF "The Star Spangled Banner" In
which everyone with voice at all
Joined.
A number Of prizes were awarded
In the different contests. the winners
OF which will be announced later In
this department.
A good wag met an Irishman in the