New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-06
SETON, QUITTING,
REBUKES SCOUTS
Unfriendly and Selfish,
RetOrts Present Leader
of 100000 Lads.
WOODCRAFT LEAGUE
USED AS RIVAL
Ex-Chief Attacks West on Eve
of Campaign to Raise $780,
600 for City Work.

LfNt5g lNoNpaOA CeLoui lOAlutE anu
Chief Scout, announced that the Boy
Scouts Of America were "too organized
and jingoistic." The Scouts campaign
to raise 100000 to finance their
greater New York activities for three
years begins to-day.
Mr. Seton, beloved Of thousands Of
American boys and girls, states mis- OPP
position 70 the Boy Scout movement
and his determination to take over from
the Scouts TO the Woodcraft League all
the boys ne can. In addition, Mr.. Sc
ton has announced his resignation as
Chief Scout. Furthermore, his refer
ences to James E. West. secretary and
chief Scout executive, are anything but
complimentary.
Mr. West declares tie ex-Scout's mo-
tive is "as apparent as it is unfrendly
and selfish"
Since last May, Mr. Seton says, he
has not in any way been identified with
the Scout movement. lie sent in his
resignation then, because he thought
the organization was losing its outdoor
attributes, its vision and its poetry, and
was becoming "too organized and lingo
istic." Despite his resignation. the ex-
ecutive committee of the Boy Scouts OF
America has taken no action whatever
on il, and Mr.. Seton's name and vari-
Gus articles by him have been retained
in the handbook and pamphlets issued
by the organization.
Imposition, Says Seton.
at is because | consider this an i'm
position upon me and the public, who
think | am still connected with the
Boy Scouts, tina: I announce my resig-
nation and my viewpoint. am not
criticising the executive board, which IS
composed of splendid men who give
freely Of their time and money; but
do say that their good motives have
been debased BIZ the retarding influence
of West. lie is q COED executive and
business man, but he has no vision-he
knows nothing about boys. Most of last
years budget of $4,000 was spent in
running the inside organization. The
boys were completely forgotten"
Mr.. Seton announced that tonight
there will be a reorganization meeting
Of the Woodcraft League, founded by
him In 1902, at which plans will be
made 10 take over all Boy Scouts diyi-
sion heads who are dissatisfied with
their body. Any such will be welcomed,
tonight and hereafter at the Leagues
headquarters, IL West Thirty-fourth
Street Mr.. Seton plans TO make the
League, which numbers among its
members boys and girls from four TO
ninety-four," much larger and more
effective to combat by counteraction
L IL IL al Of h,a
Boy Scout movement.
These evils, he explains, are growing
daily and are fostered especially by Mr..
West
"Mr. West isn't a leader OF boys" he
said yesterday, "but is in reality only a
paid secretary 10 the movement and
doesn't sympathize with the young heart.
The study Of trees, flowers and nature is
giving way entirely TO wigwagging,
drills and other activities of entirely
militaristic hue. Thus the symbolism
and the poetry Of the organization are
destroyed. As it stands now. militarism
comes first, woodcraft second.
Military Spirit Denounced.
81 believe in measure OF prepared
ness, but | don't think the Boy Scouts
Of America Is the place for militarlsm.
When Baden-Powell and | organized
the Boy Scouts Of England In 1905 and
later the Boy Scouts Of America in
1910, our purpose was 70 make all
young people outdoor children.
"Mr. West knows absolutely nothing
OF woodcraft or nature"
Mr.. Seton said that last February
the Boy Scouts Of America announced
through Mr.. West that his Mr.. Sc
ton's) election to the nominal and
honorary Office of Chief Scout was
being held up because he was not an
American citizen. 81 cant understand
what that had to do with it," explained
Mr.. Seton. there are several members
on the board to-day who are Britishers.
| have taken out my first citizenship
papers, but when the war came IL
wouldn't have been quite right to get
final papers" NJ
Seton in the Hotel Renaissance, Flith .
Avenue and Forty-third Street, yester-
dav his friend, Hamlin Garland, sec .
onded all the statements Of the natu-
ralist and his wife.
League members of councils are John
burroughs. Irving Bachelor, Nellie
planchan. Frank y. Doubleday, DR..
Henry Van Dyke and David 7. Aber-
crombie.
MIR. West last night gave out state
ment BY Colin II. Livingstone, presi-
dent OF the Boy Scouts Of America, IN
answer TO Mr.. Seton's statement. Mr..
livingstone was in Washington, but
the statement was prepared ana au-
thorized him by telephone In II ne
said in part:
"The statement given out by Ernest
Thompson Seton just on the eve OF
000 10 fnance the Boy Scout work of
Greater New York for the next three
vears hes been read TO me over the
telephone. Mr.. Seton's motive Is as
apparent as it is unfriendly and selfish.