Evening journal., 1916-11-11
SCOUTS REPUDIATE
SLUR ON LABOR
Mass. Resolution Based on
MisunderStanding-"In-
dividual Opinion Not
Policy"
SONS OF LABOR MEN
TO BE RETAINED

NEW YORK, Nov. 11.-Oficials Of
the Massachusetts Branch Of the
American Federation Of Labor have
reported to the leaders of the Boy
Scout Movement that the "if' in the
resolution adopted by the branch in
Boston on October %, looms far
larger in the resolution itself than it
did in the press associations abridged
report of the action which has ap-
peared IN newspapers in all parts OF
the country. Labor men everywhere
have manifested, since this story ap-
peared an unusual interest in the
program which all Boy Scouts are
following. and in the statements Of
approval which have been made about
this program by the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor and the National
Socialist party, and leaders of those
organization, after a thorough in
vestigation
The resolution, according to the
published story. was based on re-
port that an official of the Boston
Council of the Boy Scouts had ad-
vised scOutmasters to prepare the
boys under them to withstand po-
p litically the aggressiveness Of Labor
Unions" which he has said to have
predicted would be savage and Bit
ter after the war"
The speech Of the Boston scout Of
fetal was read from a typewriter
manuscript, Of which ] have a copy,
said James h. West, Chief Scout ex-
ecutive of the National Council OF the
Boy Scouts of America today. A care
fll reading does not show the state
ments made as quoted The speaker
did refer to labor unions, but only
incidentally in descT bing many fac
tors that naturally would figure in
conditions which he personally
thought would prevail in this country
after the war. His appeal was for a
larger and more intelligent partic.pa-
tiOn in civic affairs, and he urged the
$50 scout leaders present at the din
ner to Impress upon the Ives Of boys
their proper responsibilities as citi-
zens and to lead them to believe in
and smypathize with civic ambition.
But Independent of what this
speaker may have said, it can be
stated emphatically that the aim OF
the Boy Scouts of America is not that
which was made the basis Of the Mas
sachusetts resolution.
1T should be remembered that the
Boy Scout Movement has over as 00C
men serving as volunteers as does
Mr.. Jackson in carrying out the pro
gram for 10000 boys throughout the
country. It's policies are formally de
termined upon, and it should not be
held accountable for the expression
Of opinion by any of its individual
members.
THE Boy Scouts OF America has
had the official support Of the Amer
ican Federation Of Labor for years
and we believe that the record OF
what we are actually accomplishing
for the sons Of labor men and our
country, together with the policy oi
the National Cound'l to avoid partisi
patton in political affairs, will war
rant the continuance ~ this support
as well as Of all labor men individ-
ually."
Charles c. Jackson. who made tn
speech before The Boston scout masters
has sent this statement to the Nationa
Office of the Boy Scouts
"The gist of my remarks was unfor
tunatelv distorted.
"Contrarv to the impression create
by the published reports Of my remarks
7 am with and FOR labor unions in thei
lawful efforts 20 improve labor condi
tions and elevate the STANDARD of hvin,
In our country. Furthermore. I believ
the work Of labor unions has not onl'
IL. 1rr 1,srk &
entire country as WELL