Norwich bulletin., 1915-09-02
WHAT THE BOY SCOUTS ARE DOING

and can a troop make a requirement
that every boy admitted. must be over
4 feet IL inches in height Scout D.,
Illinois.
A. While the minimum age limit of
IL years of age may not be changed,
troop has the privilege of restricting
its membership in any way that it de-
sires, providing that such restrictions
do not conflict with any of the regula-
tions of the national organization and
that they have the approval of the
scoutmaster and troop committee. 1t
is doubtful if it is wise to make any
physical qualification.
Q. Is there any such thing as Lone
Scouts Scout P, Washington.
A. If a boy wants to join the Boy
Scouts of America and he doesn't know
of any troop near him, he should write
the name of the nearest scoutmaster.
National headquarters will ask the
nearest scoutmaster to let the boy join
his troop, even though he cannot at
tend the troop meetings more than
once or twice a year. OF course, the
Lone Scout" will have to learn the
work by himself from the handbook,
with the assistance of letters from the
scoutmaster and from national head
quarters. He will have to arrange
with the scoutmaster to take his ex-
aminations at such times as he can
~ " the VI Tie lIOOp.
Q. In time of war. would a Boy
Scout be called upon to enter the field
and take part in the actual firing
Scout H. ]. F., Conn.
A. No. The Boy Scouts of America
is military organization and it's
members are subject to no military
duty except that which might be eX-
pected of any American citizen in a
national emergency.
Q. In some books have read have
seen the statement that two smoke
signals indicate distress In the Hand
book for Boys there is a statement
| that three smoke signals indicate dis
tress. Which is correct?-Scout S. B..
| Maryland.
A According to the chronological re-
port of the United States government,
| three smoke signals indicate distress,
| three gun shots in succession are call
| for help, three whistles of a steamboat
are serious cause for alarm. Three is
almost invariably call for help, cry
| serious has happened, or Is about to
happen. Keep three in your mind for
| danger.-Dan Beard.
@. Will you please tell me whether
| the Keen Kutter boy scout axe is ON
cia1 or not? Must the scoutmaster
| sign orders for articles such as the
! official whistle?-Scout L. H, Illinois.
A The Keen Kutter axe, and that
manufactured by Plumb, are the official
scout axes. All orders for official
| equipment of any kind must be signed
| by the scoutmaster. ----.
Q. Does the blazing arrow patrol
| have a call? If a scout has his uni
form and his troop disbands. is a scout
| allowed to keep and wear his uniform
Scout o. T., Texas.
A. A whizzing sound may be used
| as the call for a blazing arrow patrol.
A registered scout is entitled to wear
| his uniform as long as he is a member
] Of a registered troop. II a troop dis
bands, any scout who wishes to remain
IN the organization should notify ma
| tional headquarters at once, in order
that he may be connected with an
other.
@. How long does patrol leader or
i his assistant remain In of1ce7 When
| one of the above named officers leaves
| the patrol for the summer. or a shorter
| period. does he get someone to take
his place temporarily. or does he lose
| 1t NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. F. B., Michigan
/ A. Until he is removed by the
scoutmaster- or his successor Is elected
or appointed.
This matter is in the hands Of the
scoutmaster. -.
| O.. Please explain the first class re-
! quirement. Point out a compass di-