The Washington times., 1915-12-06
SETON
QUITS BOY SCOUTS
Declares Methods Of Chief Ex.
ecutive Are RepuIsive to
Him.

NEW YORK. Dec. 6.-Ernest Thomp-
son Seton. former chief scout Of the
Boy Scouts of America. has announced
he was through with this organization
and made public his reason in severe
criticism of James Il. West the present
chief executive of the Boy Scouts. Mr..
Seton describes him as "a good or
ganizer. an executive OF ability. but
without knowledge Of boys or their ac-
tivities.'' adding:
HE has never really seen the blue
sky in his life. and his office methods
as chief executive Of the Boy Scouts
are such that I do not wish to be as
ISOLATED with him."
Members Of the organization seen last
night placed different construction
upon Mr.. Setons retirement. They said
the former chief scout got out because
he was not an American citizen and
would not take the necessary steps to
I become one.
Still q British Subject.
The European war. 1t seems. brought
about an investigation as to the citizen
ship Of Mr.. Seton and the discovery
was made that. although he had taken
out his first naturalization papers years
ago. he is still British subject
1t Is said that at the February meet
ing of the organization in Washington
Mr. Setons name was quietly dropped
from the list Of officers.
or this charge Mr.. Seton said: at
did not seem right for me to take out
try was at war. SO / am waiting. When
the war ends shall become an Ameri-
can citizen"
Mr. Seton says he forwarded his resig-
nation as chief scout last spring. and
that it has been held without action
ever since. which Mr.. Seton denounces
as unfair
OF the executive board OF the scouts
only high praise is voiced by Mr.. Seton.
His sole target is Mr.. West.
According to Mr.. Seton the Boy Scout
movement as launched by Baden-Powell
and himself was designed to bring the
boys into closer touch with outdoor
| life. Woodcraft. in its highest sense.
| was the keynote.
"Now Drills and Wigwagging."
And now" says Mr.. Seton. there
| Is a deadenine OF all idcalism. and a
| loss OF interest in trees and flowers,
and all that makes up the wonderland
of woodcraft. Now. the boys have
drills and learn wig-wagging.
"A measure of preparedness is all
| right for America. but this organiza-
ton was not created for any such pur-
| pose"
| Mr.. Seton paws tribute to Mr.. West s
business ability, admitting that the Of
flee force Is splendidy equipped. and
| that last years budget reached the
| handsome total OF $4,000 or there
| abouts.
| But 1t is ell business" he adds
| They forget the boys
Mr.. Seton says he will hereafter de-
vote his attention TO the development
| of his Woodcraft League from which.
| he asserts. the Boy Scout movement
| grew.
Mr. West issued reply late last
night through Colin II. Livingston.
president OF the organization. Mr..
| Seton was not reelected chief scout.
Mr.. West declared. because he had
| failed to respond satisfactorily as to
what his intentions were about becom-
Ing a citizen of the United States"
Mr.. West says that Mr.. Seton's mo-
tive in giving TO the newspapers his
| interview on the eve Of the opening
of campaign to raise $500. 900 for Boy
Scout work in Greater New York was
selfish and unfriendly." He adds that
| the action taken in Mr.. Seton's ca SC
| reflects the unanimous decision of the
| members Of the board" "