Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-02-15
MORE EFFICIENCY
IS scouts Object
Masters Would Make Boys
a Valuable Asset in
Emergencies
DEMONSTRATE NEW
IDEA ON NEXT HIKE

Scoutmasters in charge of the local
troops of the Boy Scouts Of America met
in conference IN the y. NJ. &. A. rooms
last evening, in order to develop uniform
methods Tor the rapid assemblage OF the
scouts in times OF public emergency, and
TO adopt plans for the uniform instruc-
tion Of the boys along certain lines, by
which the entire strength could be used
as workable unit in cases of fires,
large assembages OF people, conven-
tions, or similar occasions where their
assistance might be offered to the mu-
nicipal or State authorities. and be
worth something when it was reported
for duty.
These subjects. and the minute details
involved, were discussed by the scout
masters, and, though it developed that
the formulation of plans OF this charac-
ter and systems OF troop instruction
were the duties of the scout executive.
the scoutmasters arranged for the troop
instruction, and the plan submitted by
Scout Executive Quincy for rapid as
sembling Of the scouts was adopted.
1t developed that probably the great
est benefit could he derived from a uni
form system of inter-communication in
times OF emergency service, and it was
decided that until every scout had been
made efficient in the system of sema-
phore signalling, the wireless. Wigwag.
telegraph and Photograph systems would
be relegated TO tho background. I'm order
that the habits Of instructive obedience
to orders at home, in school and on the
street should he developed TO n point
where IT. would become a valuable asset
to mothers fathers. teachers and public
authorities, 10 was decided that disci.
pline drills should be given preference
with the signal instruction, indoor work
and that outdoor work should be mainly
devoted TO practical applications of thcs'
instructions, and to hikes, the object Of
which should be to familiarize ali hands
in the topography of the surrounding
country, and with every street. lane
alley. public building and similar point
in the city.
The WashingtOn's Birthday hike
was accordingly planned with topo-
graphical study IN view. Each troop
will choose its own route and carry
out its own plan, with a view 10 study
the topography Of the country the
roads and the like about the city.
Following is the plan suggested for
modelling the different Boy Scout
troops:
1. Each scoutmaster 70 instruct
the members of his troop to report
at headquarters on the police emerg-
ency alarm of 70 consecutive taps be
/ ing sounded Arrangements have
been made with the superintendent o'
schools should this occur during
school hours, to release ell scouts
provided they can produce their regis
| tration cards.
.. Every sooutmaster who has no
at present registered at headquarteri
a telephone number where he car
/ be communicated with should do so
Also assistant scoutmasters.
3. ScoutmasteTs should be in 9
position to get into instant touch will
every patrol leader and assistant
patrol leader. assigning 10 each o
these boys three of the other six il
the patrol.
T. On the emergency call being re
ceived, headquarters will immediately
notify scoutmasters and assistants
where possible. They in turn making
their way Immediately to headquar
tiers calling up their respective patro
members on the way in.