Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-19
MERIT BADGES FOR
 LOCAL BOY SCOUTS
Awarded. Last Night at Meeting of
 The Court cf Honor.

One of the most interesting and en- thusiastic meetings of the Norwich Council of Boy Scouts of America was held Wednesday evening in the Cham Der of Commerce rooms. Matters of much importance were transacted by the council and County Agent F. C. Warner of the New London County spoke Interestingly along the lines of gardening and outlined possible meth ods for Boy Scouts in carrying out this phase of the national prepared Preceding the council meeting the Court of Honor of Boy Scouts, which comprises Martin E. Jensen, w. Ty- Ter Olcott,. Grosvenor Ely and Chief Howard l.. Stanton, met and awarded badges to Gordon Eager of Troop 3. who passed the tests for the bugljng merit badge and Avery Stanton of Troop 6, who passed tests for first aid President N. A. Gibbs presided at the council meeting. and the secre- tary's report was read and accepted. It was voted that the scouts of all troops be asked to assist the Red Cross in any way possible as far as they are able without interfering with school work The president was granted permission to arrange for a dening work and the following com mfttee was appointed to take the mat ter in hand: Arthur l.. Peale, w. Ty- Ter Olcott and John B. Stanton. It was voted that a mobilization plan be devised by the executive commit tee, the scout commissioner and the scout masters Round Table. The ex- %cutive committee by vote were rec Red Cross and the navy department and the resolution adopted by the Ma tiona1 Council states that each mem Der of the Boy Scouts of America is definitely obligated by the scout oath to do his duty to his country. The combined strength Of the Boy Scouts of America, now including 210,OOo boys and 5s, 900 men, forms a poten- tiaI asset to the country for co-opera- tive effort. Every officer and member of the Boy Scouts of America are urg- ed, in addition to service they will render the police and civic authorities in their home cities, to definitely as- sist in the development of the plans which the National Council has made with the following organizations: De- partment of Agriculture and the Council of National Defense. To CO., operate In the extension and develop ment of home gardens, under the slo- gan: Every scout to feed soldier; the American National Red Cross. to cooperate with the Red Cross through its local chapters in meeting their re- responsibilities, occasioned by the state of war; the navy department, to CO., operate with the navy department in
 
 along the sea coast towns.
 F. C. Warner, county agent for the New London County Improvement so- ciety spoke on the work of the league and spoke relative to the garden work under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce committee and outlined work which might be done by the scouts F. B. Ricketson of Taftville
 explained a plan of work which has
 been adopted in Taftville. They have
 five acre lot which will be used
 for garden purposes and the troop Of
 TaftviIle was the first to apply for a
 section of the ground. The garden
 work will be supervised by the boss
 farmer of the Ponemah mills
 It was voted to hold meeting in
 May at the ;eso1 e3il of the prssident sadias and H. F.. Prentice were elected members of the council.
 Scout Commissioner Benjamin M.
 Bruce has received the following let
 ter from the National Council head quarters which is of much interest to
 Boy Scouts:
 The suggestion with reference to mobilization has been accepted al wholesale country. It is hoped that
 the parading feature will be minimiz-
 ed to only what is actually necessary
 norder to get the boys from con-
 venient place Of moblllZation. 10 the
 office of the mayor
 In every case the police authorities
 should be consulted and the necessary
 permit secured. If the police authori-
 ties advise against mobilization, their
 advice Of course should be taken and
 the offer made to the mayor in some
 other manner.
 It is strongly recommended that
 each local council take steps prompt
 ly to have every scout sofhcial thor
 ougIlly informed as to what the scouts
 will do in case of war Better still
 definite statement might be drafted
 and made available so that every
 member of the scout organization in
 your community might have several
 copies. These could probably be ad
 dressed to the parents of the boys.