The Washington times., 1915-11-07
Miss Alexandra Carlisle, Who
Has lust Finished Engage.
ment Here, Is Enthusiastic.
HELPED BRING WORK HERE
Organized First Troop Of North
ern States at Her American
Residence In Massachusetts

One OF the frst things that Miss
Alexandra Carlisle. the dainty En-
rIish actress who bas Just completed
her engagement ip this city in the
nsw uley Behold Thy Wife," did
when she arrived in Washington was
TO make a visit to the National Head
quarters Of the Girl Scouts. For Miss
Carlisle Is a really truly Girl Scout
She was among the English leaders
who FIRST brought the movement to
the United States. In Bedford.
Mass. whore she makes her residence
On this side OF the water, Miss Car
ffsle organized the nrst troop In tho
Northern States. She continues to
he the captain of this troop. and has
boosted II until its membership now
exceeds nifty girls.
During q few months last summer
she lived with, these girls in true
camp fashion on some land which sh.
owns In Maine and instructed them
In all of the duties OF camp life. 1t
was no easy job. she says, for Il
rained a great part Of the time and
she had to provide inside amusement
70 keep them busy. Bat. fortunately,
none of them caught cold and tho
whole troop Is ready to 70 out with
her again whenever she says the
word.
One of Originators.
In London she was one Of the orig
inators of the Girl Scout movement.
working with her friend. Mrs. Juliette
Gordon Low, who was chiefly instru-
mental In founding the Girl Scout
organization in this country. and with
Miss Agnes Baden Powell. who initi-
ated the idea for girls to keep abreast
w. Sth nnhsI the hne So work which her brother.
Ing on with his Boy Scouts.
Miss Carlisle personally inspected
more than 10000 little girls from east
cent award of proficiency badges was
made. In her troop, among this lot,
she numbers some of the sturdiest
SIri scouts In the entire British or
They are all from the slums," she
SAID. and l chose them especially, for
they did need someone to help them.
In the troop drills. / taught them to
walk well and they were as alert and
eager as any Of the others. 1t is fine
poor iistle % ones. whose Sa iScs oats at bes, ese
are apt to be so meaningless.
II believe the Girl Scout movement
70 tie Ge s,bie shs t.Ss Sess girl before
personal interest in 1t because II gives
my mind the most complete vacation
from my professional work: a change
of thought Is the best device for OBJ
tanning mental rest, and Girl Scout
dership and activities give me all
that desire In this line.
Splendid Opportunities.
81 don't believe" Miss Carlisle pro-
cecded. that young women realize what
splendid opportunities the Girl Scouts
offer them. wish they would look into
this, for the Girl Scout mo cement de-
pends on Its leaders for success. and a
great many sparkling girls would find
enjoyment in this work. The Girl Scouts
need good leaders with executive ability
and keen interest.
Another aspect of its training which
commands interest 10 the general aim
expressed In its motto. BE Prepared.
In this great and wonderful country OF
yours. which is so successfully main
tanning its neutrality In the present in
ternational crisis. preparedness may lie
the least thought in a portion OF YOUR
public mind. and then. again. as evi-
denccd by some OF YOUR recent public
utterances. 1t may be the foremost. At
any rate. It is a good practice for every
one In the country to be prepared In