The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-04-28
DUTIES Of BOY
SCOUTS DEFINED
POSES OF CRITICISM DUE
TO MISUNDERSTANDING

"A AliOuh6 10 IN IcCctDL VI a COIH-
munication from Fred c.. Thomson,
local commissioner of the Boy Scouts
of America, which outlines clearly
what is expected of the Boy Scouts
in the present war and what is not
expected of them. 1t also disposes
of confusion, evident in the minds
OF some people, on account of an
other organization bearing a SINH
name. Mr.. Thomson's communica-
ton follows:
There has been an unfortunate
misunderstanding in regard to the
duties expected of the Boy Scouts in
the present war. This m%isunder-
standing has been realized by the
local council and officials of the
Boy Scout movement in the camp.
However, no attempt has been made
in any public way to clear up that
misunderstanding by these officials
for the reason that though there was
no doubt in their own minds as to
the matter, it was deemed the best
thing to wait until a definite au-
thoritative statement from the ma
tional headquarters was received,
which on presentation to the people
of the camp would leave no room
for further uncertainty. This state
ment has been received by the To-
cal commissioner. The gist is as
follows:
1T is most definitely desired to
reduce to a minimum the damage
done to the Boy Scouts of America
by the unfortunate publicity given
to the so-called defense of the city
hall in New York City by the Unit
ed States Boy Scouts with state
ments as to their armament.
1T is true that a small group of
cadets called the United States Boy
Scouts, made up largely of boys nine
and ten years of age, did mobilize
at the city hall with guns. Their
youth and appearance made apparent
the utter a%bsurdity of their claims
as to any real value in the type Of
service they were attempting, as
well as the great unwisdom on the
part of those responsible for their
presence in such a ludicrous posi-
ton.
"A persistent effort is being made
to capitalize this incident in an ap-
peal for a fund of a million dollars.
Claim is made that some 200, 900
boys are enrolled in this organiza-
ton. AS a matter of fact, it is
If thav hoyo NJ, o,nu -.
5000 boys enrolled.
This is a remnant of the Hearst
organization, nee known as the
American Boy Scouts, which has
been confined practically to New
York City. Unfortunately our fed
eral charter does not protect us in
this particular case. but legal action
Is on foot to obviate the possibility
of the repetition of such manifestly
unfair proceedings.
The Boy Scouts of America.
members of which organization the
local Boy Scouts are. will neither
advocate nor engage in any such &C
tivity.
Duties Of the Boy Scout will in
no way be changed. They will sim
ply continue to do the work pra-
scribed for scouts and their daily
good turns,
The only effect of the war upon
them Will be that they may be able
to do some scouting work in the i'm
mediate vicinity and some local
good turns for the Red Cross.
They may establish first aid, dress
ing or nursing stations, refugees, dis
~pensaries. soup kitchens, etc, in
their club rooms.
They may act locally as guides,
orderlies, etc.
They may be called upon to do
local office work for the recruiting
or administration offices.
"They may be called upon in the
distribution of food.
"They may be called upOn locally
to post war notices, billets, notices
of communicating, warnings, etc.
They may be called upon to
bring information as to the avail
able local supplies.
Boy Scouts, in accordance with
the national organizations policy,
will take no definite or distinctive
part in any military operations,
They will not be assigned to any
duties of any nature that will keep
them away from their homes over
night, without the specific consent of
the parents in every instance. Boy
Scouts will not bear arms.
erred G.. THOMSON,