The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-04-14

uOlullullOu, ny CIVIC III pulldullTOplC
organizations, by the press and by the public
generally. 1t is broad enough to take in every
boy who Is interested in his own development,
and no matter what his social status, creed and
education may be, he will find in it a means of
attaining his proper ideals.
A Boy Scout begins by joining n troop. The
troop may be organized In connection with a
church, neighborhood center, a boys club, a Y.
M Z. A. or independently. Three things are
necessary-it must have a troop committee of
three or more representative men to guide its
policies, a who will direct and SUI
pervise its activities, and from eight to thirty
two boys. In exceptional cases there may be less
than eight or more than thirtytwo. The average
number is twenty-five.
Eight Scouts make a patrol, one of them being
the patrol leader, and the patrol Is a unit within
the troop.
One thing is kept constantly before every Scout
he is training to become q man. Not a soldier,
but a man. Because Scouts wear uniforms
which somewhat resemble those worn by soldiers.
some people imagine that they are being pre-
pared for cannon food" All wrong. The uni
form was adopted because it was thecstrongest,
most convenient, most serviceable suit which
could be bought for the money. From Ave to ten
dollars 1T costs, at the local store, and when it
goes on, mother may settle back in her arm
chair with a sigh of relief, for there will be no
patching to do for a long time.
1t Is not necessary for a Scout to wear a uni
VI Ut all. he can De JUST as gOOQ q Scout
without one, but it adds to his pleasure to have
1t, and it adds to the impression which he creates.
The Scout Law and Oath.
A boy In becoming a Scout takes the following
oath:
On my honor l will do my best
1. To do my duty to God and my country, and
to obey the Scout law;
2. To help other people at all times;
3. To keep myself physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight.
The Idea of scouting, its inspiration, is en-
bodied in the Scout law and oath. The Scout law:
1. A Scout is trustworthy. A Scouts honor is
to be trusted. If he. were to violate his honor
by telling a lie, or by cheating, or by not doing
exactly a given task, when trusted on his honor,
he may be directed to hand over his Scout badge.
2. A Scout is loyal. He is loyal to all to whom
loyalty is due; his scoutleader, his home, and
parents and country. 8. A Scout Is helpful. He
must be prepared at any time to save life, help
injured persons, and share the home duties. He
must do at least one good turn to somebody every
day. 4. A Scout is friendly. He is a friend to
all and a brother to every other Scout. 8. A
Scout is courteous. He is polite to all, especially
to women, children, old people, and the weak and
helpless. He must not take pay for being helpful
or courteous. 9. a Scout is kind. He Is a friend
to animals. He will not kill nor hurt any living
creature needlessly, but will strive to save and
protect all harmless life. Z, A Scout is obedient.
He obeys his parents, ~scoutmaster, patrol leader,
and all other duly constituted authorities. s. A
Scout is cheerful. He smiles whenever he can.
His obedience to orders is prompt and CHEEKY.
He never shirks nor grumbles at hardships. 8. A
Scout is thrifty. He does not ~wantonly destroy
property. He works faithfully, wastes nothing.
and makes the best use of his opportunities. He
saves his money so that he may pay his own way,
be generous to those In need, and helpful to
worthy objects. He may work for pay, but must
not receive tips for courtesies or good turns. 10.
A n---L a. -. n ~ khA OnrHa fn Hoan
danger In spite Of fear, and to stand up for the
right against the coaxings of friends or the jeers
or threats Of enemies, and defeat does not down.
him. IL. A Scout is clean. He keeps clean in
body and thought, stands 70, clean speech. clean