The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-02
MARINE SCOUT
MOVEMENT TO
PREPARE BOYS
preparedness" the Motto
of Organization Form
ed in New York

which In the opinion OF its organizers,
| will become Nation wide. The new
| Organization is known as the "Amer-
| lean Junior Naval and Marine Scout
with headquarters in New York city.
More than 1000 boys in Greater New
York have already enrolled. Troops
and units are being formed in every
State and the organization is receiv-
ing letters daily from prominent men
in various parts of the country, asking
for details and offering their services
to assist in the movement. Officers
and on-commissiOned officers of the
U. S. navy and marine corps, doing
recruiting duty throughout the coun-
try, have volunteered to act as drill
masters for the troops that will be
formed in the cities where they are
located.
By the last of May, 1917, we ex-
pect to have troops established in all
the large cities throughout the Unit
ed States. declares Mr.. Ira w. Irving
the Chief Scout Executive of the or
ganization and the originator of the
idea. The American Junior Naval
and Marine Scout, will train and teach
boys between the ages of twelve and
ing to the regulations of the United
States Navy and Marine corps They
will be taught practical seamanship,
so that if later in life, they desire to
enter the service of the Navy, Ma
rine Corps or Merchant Marine they
will have had a good foundation in
Nautical Training. This is not sole
ly a Military Organization, although
ulations Of the Navy and Marine
Corps. The training is not confined
to strictly Nautical purposes. The
members are trained to rough it and
to take adversely with a smile and a
cheerful heart. They are taught pa
triotism, courage, and spirit of 10y
atty and obedience to their parents
and superiors, thus affording them an
opportunity for mental, moral and
physical training SO that they may be-
come better equipped to perform the
duties and obligations of good citi-
zenship. The movement is National
Patriotic and Non-Sectarian. There
are no assessments or dues collected
from our members for the mainten-
ance of the National Headquarters or
it's officers. 1t is essentially an
American movement based upbn the
Naval and Marine instructions as
laid down, by the Government: the ad-
vantage thus gained is to seize the
boys character in its red hot stage
Of military enthusiasm and encourage
and develop it's individuality so that
the boy may become better man and
an honor to his country. The late
Admiral George Dewey. the Admiral
of the Navy. in accepting the honor
of being The Chief Scout of the Or
ganization, said: 81 have your letter
Eof October 18th, inviting me to accept
the office of First Chief Naval Scout in
The Junior Naval and Marine Scouts.
It would give me pleasure to accept,
and I feel honored, in being thus con-
nected with an organization having
FOR it's object such high motive for
the teaching of, the youth of our coun-
try-Military Preparedness.
Admiral william S. Benson in &C
cepting the honor Of Chief Naval Scout
said:
II am in receipt of your letter of
January 80, 1917, inviting me to be-
come the Chief Naval Scout OF the
American Junior Naval and Marine
Scouts.
81 have pleasure in informing you
shat I shall be glad to do anything
consistent with my duties that will
help the worthy cause which believe
this organization represents"
Major General George Barnett,
Commandment Of the United States Ma
zine Corps, in accepting the invita-
ton to be the first Chief Marine Scout,
said:
81 gladly accept the honor you be-
stow in your letter of September i ! tn,
1916, offering me the opportunity to
be the first Chief Marine Scout 1
think the plan of teaching the boy
the various duties of United States
Marines, an excellent one, and l shall
BE glad to do anything within my
power, and consistent with my duty,
% be of service to the Junior Naval
and Marine Scouts. Trusting that
J the Junior Naval and Marine Scout
will meet with the success deserving
such a worthy movement. I remain"
Daniel M. Bedell, a public spirited
New York business man, is the Ma
.ional Treasurer. In accepting the
office, Mr. Bedel1 said: II want you
20 know how deeplyI am in sympathy
with paCTlOtlC IuONcIllSuI u siAAHo
kind. Your object being prepared
ness more than appeals to me. 1t
will serve to bring out the best that
IS in the boy by educating him to
finer spirit Of loyalty to his parents
and superiors, fitting him for his flu
ture obligation to the country. Wish
ing the organization every success.
am with kind personal regards, very
truly yours"
An Advisory Council consisting of
Officers (active and retired) of the
United States Navy and Marine Corps,
Members of National and State affairs
and, prominent business men have
consented to lend their assistance in
making the movement National sue
cess Prominent among those who
are taking an active interest in the
movement are: Admiral H. T. Mayo,
u. S. N; Major General Leonard
Wood, u. S. A; Rear Admiral F. F.
Fletcher, U. S. N; Rear Admiral
Bradley A. Fiske, U. s. N; Retired;
Rear Admiral w. H. Benson, U. S. N,
Retired; Capt. r. r. Rowell. U. s.. M.
c., and Capt. F. E. Evans, U. S. M. c.
eve take as our special plea to 9TH
ers,' Mr.. Irving said. that the train
ing the boys will receive on land and
water will be, of greater benefit than
either land or sea training taken sep
arately.l It's a two in one service
both Naval and Military-and we look
to see the idea spread over the entire
country within a very short time"