The Washington times., 1917-03-05
Unprecedented Prestige Won
by Youths Assisting in Pre-
serving Order.
oUICKLYMEET EMERGENCIES
Youngsters Stationed at Brief
Intervals All Along Route
of Parade.

Boy Scouts stationed at intervals
SO close together that they were with
in talking distance all along the line
of march formed one of the most in
terestfhg features of the great parade,
and gave the scouts a prestige which
they never enjoyed before.
One thousand scouts formed re
straining line around the Presidents
stand at the Capitol this morning and
assisted the police to keep back the
enormous crowd. Every boy on duty
today proved his right of existence
under the principles of the organiza-
tion. and not a person who saw them
lending their assistance to the po-
lice. the ambulance corps, and the in
auguraI committee, but praised them.
The little fellows fought bravely
to keep the crowd back but were
overwhelmed at times. Even with the
odds against them, when they were
literally brushed off their feet they
did not give up but fought the crowd
as a terrier might fight herd OF
elephants-ineffectiv but with
courage.
Returns to Posts.
When assistance came the youths
went back to their positions and, in
spite of the handling which they had
received. gave themselves again to
the work of keeping the mob back.
As is always the case where great
crowds gather, a few women tainted.
and in every case where this happened
today the boy scouts were first on the
scene. So well were their plans laid
by Scout Commissioner Grogan, and
Assistant Commissioners Taylor and
Patton that when a case of Illness was
observed one scout would run to the
nearest ambulance call, while another
would give the sufferer first ai'
So filled with work was the day
that many of the scouts had nothing
to eat from morning until after the
termination of the parade.
So pleased was Scout Commissioner
Grogan with the work done by the
boys that he handed out the following
statement after the parade:
THE spirit OF duty inspired the
boys today, and they adhered to the
principles which the organization is
based upon-to be OF service, to be
courteous, and to be careful.
Especial thanks is due the hun
dreds of out-of-town scouts who help
ed so nobly in the work done today.
They came to Washington knowing
nothing about the city, but acted
like veteran policemen in their knowl-
edge of handling the crowds"
Stories of Saeriaee.
Many stories of self-sacrifice are
told of how the boys raised money
TO get to Washington to assist the
local council in its work. Boys from
Camden, N. J., saved old bottles and
papers for weeks and made the round
trip from Camden to Washington and
return for $40. by choosing their
route on water as much as possible.
Other boys have been saving their
earnings from cleaning snOw-covered
sidewalks; others have sold papers.
and still others have gone without
lunch at high school that they might
come to Washington without asking
help from their parents.
And they were well repaid. No
happier bunch of boys could be found
in the United States today than the
visiting Boy Scouts as they prepared
10 pitch in and do their bit during
the parade. When their work was
done, tired, but as happy as ever, they
settled down to snatch a slight rest
before they boarded the trains. many
Of them for an all-night ride home.