Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-06-28
AMERICAN LADS MORE
WARLIKE THAN ELDERS
Boy Scout Organization Comes
to Rescue; Youngsters Per-
form Real Service.

OF all the ages that feel the sum-
mons to arms as a call from within,
your 12-yCar-old boy is at the top OF
the list. He responds to the bugle
blast as naturally as n ducklng
plunges into water. Mature men go
INTO battle with solemn reflections
upon life and its destiny and in de-
fense of the nation.
Youths are lured thither thru a
spirit Of chivalry and flushed with
the thot of the applause to come from
the maidens of the land But the
boy of IL is a true belligerent His
mind is all aflame with combativc-
ness. He instinctivcly desires to see
bodies dismembered by shot and
shell, to witness the copious flow OF
blood and to hear the noise and din
Of battle. He does not reason or re-
fleet He acts, just as the Almighty
cI Gated him 10 do.
Just now the boys of the scouts age
are to be seen in all parts of the coun-
try engaging in mock warfare. Toy
guns, wooden spears and other crude
I'M plements are being brought into
use. Parents are warned to take
strict account of this belligcrent con-
duct of their young sons. There is an
attitude of downright earncstness
connected with It, and somebody is in
uhnRcr Cl DelnR nurt.
Nearly every day the press reports
the case of some child Gripping or
manning another. Only recently a
group of small boys were caught In
the act of trying to hang one of their
number who they said, ''insulted the
Flag
The fighting blood of the nation is
slowly arising and it is certain to
Surge more and more wildly thru the
hearts of our young scouts Now,
what are parents going 10 do with this
Wild, combative young nature?
In the first place, parents must be-
come reconciled to the fact that their
sons ranging from Q to 13 years OF
age will play determincdly at some
kind OF martial game during this
present war crisis of the nation. That
much is settled. The unanswered
question is What game, and how shall
they play 1t?
In the comparatively few instances
where they are acting under an adult
leader, such as n scoutmastcr, the
hcys may be permitted to play the
war game, troop agains troop. But
even then, unless their leader stays
close at hand and cautions them
freely, some one will be hurt, If not
crippled. The most advisable thing
10 do with boys of the younger scout
age during the war crisis Ia to give
them some kind Of exercise suited to
arouse their patriotism, as follows:
Have the boys act as a flag patrol
10 inspect schoolhouses and other
public buildings and see that the flag
Is properly displayed; to CALI upon
residents merchants and others and
assist them in arranging their dis
play of flags and bunting appropriate
ly; to see that the flag is not care
lessly or wrongly used by any one: TO
sell to individuals inexpensive flags
or flag decorations for their personal
adornment.
The American Red Cross Is being
organized locally thruout the coun-
try The boy scouts should be en-
listed as their attendants, to carry
messages and instructions. to post no.
tices Of public meetings and public
work to be undertaken. to make col
lections of materials used In the scrv-
ice and of money subscribed. In this
connection the scouts may be re-
qucstcd to post notices OF the army
end navy enlisiments.
Finally. tho hoy scouts should be
authorized TO sell an inexpensive leaf
let containing at least the words OF
our national and patriotic songs In
chis leaflet should be included brief
outline of the ethics of the Flag and
the regulations as to its use and
husc. also how TO show proper re-
meet for the national air and other
patriotic music.