The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-08-24
BOY SCOUT BAND in
NEED OF FUNDS
ORGANIZATION MUST GO UNDER If
HELP IS NOT FORTHCOMING.

About four years ago, principally
through the efforts of Miss Mary B.
Shellman, the Boy Scout movement
was inaugu~ated in Westminster. A
Local Council of representative citi-
zens was formed, and DR.. c. E. Fore
lines was eletced Scoutmaster. A
troop of Boy Scouts was at once Or
ganized and, through the tireless and
unselfish efforts of the Scoutmaster,
the trOOD was soon in a f1Ourlshlng
condition, and about thirty of our
Westminster boys were receiving the
valuable training which Scouting at-
foTds Later second troop was Or
ganized with Mr.. Augustus ShriVer,
who had been D. Forelines assistant,
as ScOutmaSter DR.. FOrelines re-
NAMED in charge of Troop l.
In addition to carrying the usual
Scout activities, DR.. Forelines, about
two years ago, organized the Boy
Scout Band The Band, under the dl-
rection Of Professor Peltz, has de-
veloped into an organization that Is
credit to the town and valuable as
set to our community life. Since the
dissolution Of the First Regiment
Band. the Scout Band has become a
necessity to us. A town of the size
and importance of Westminster can
not afford to be without a band.
We now come to the important point
of this article. The Boy Scout Band
is in need of financial assistance, and
unless this assistance is Immediately
forthcoming from our public spirited
citizens, the band must go under. Up
to the present time, the Scout move
ment in Westminster, including the
band, has been practically self-sus-
tanning No public appeal for funds
has ever been made. The only financ1-
al assistance the Scouts have rece1V-
ed has been the amount OF the annual
dues, $500 per member, contributed
by the members of the Council. The
only other sources of revenue have
been the dues paid by the Scouts them
selves, funds raised by entertainments
ETC., and a few unsolicited contribu-
tions. That so much has been accom-
plished with so little financial back
ing is really remarkable. In many
places large sums are annually con-
tributed to the support OF the Scout
movement. Since our Scouts have
done 50 much for themselves, can we
dllOIu W " "lIIlutlu Jul OuppOAI III IAA~
crisis which now confronts them
The situation is this. About two
hundred dollars is needed at once to
pay off an Indebtedness consisting
principally of money due the instruct
or, who has been giving his services
to the band at the very moderate rate
of $3.50 per evening. The members of
the Council feel that they are in honor
bound to make every effort to secure
the funds needed to pay this indebted
ness, and that they are justified in eX-
pecting the citizens to come to their
aid in this crisis. The Boy Scout
Band is not a commercial OrganlZa-
ton According to the regulations OF
the National Scout Organization, Scout
bands are not permitted to enter into
competition with other bands for play
ing engagements. This rule deprives
the band, to a large extent of ear.
i-g power As everyone knows, they
have given their services freely, in
many cases WitnCLt any compensation
whatever, to all recent community
functions. Are they then not justly
entitled to the financial support Cf
rh- community.
An appeal for funds for the band
made some time ago by the editor Of
The Times, was answered by one of
our prominent business men with a
contribution of twenty-five dollars.
Other smaller amounts were con-
tributed, but the funds has not been
increased of late. Are not our other
prosperous business men ready and
willing TO do their bit to save the
band? And are there not scores Of
other citizens who are willing to do
something to help in this good work?
Let us act at once. Send your con-
tributions Immediately to any Of the
three town papers or hand them to
any member Of the Council.
The members of the Council are the
following:
Charles H. KoIb, President; George
Mather, ecretaryTreasurer; II. P.
Gorsuch, Charles c. Gorsuch, w. l..
Seabrook, F. Neale Parke, George F.
Morelock, DR.. d. F. Shipley, DR.. H. M.
FitZhugh. BuShrOd NJ HagY