Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-10-03
Annapolis, Md,
October 8, 1918.
SCOUTS AIDING IN
MAKING GAS MASKS
War Department Gives Each Boy a
Definite Part in the War
Work

The Boy Scouts of America are
taking a lively and effective part in
the War Department plan to save
peach pits and nut shells.
No other organization is so we'll
trained to perform a service of this
nature, for the scouts are pledged to
100 per cent patriotism in the work of
war winning. and they realize that
event such small things may have a
heavy effect on the early end of the
war.
Not date seed, a peach or plum
or cherry or prune or apricot or olive
pit, or a hickory nut or walnut or
butternut or brazil nut shell will
escape the boy scout, for he will ex-
plain to all the families he can reach
that the carbon made from these sub
stances is an absolute necessity to
the War Department. This charcoal
has peculiar absorptive power, and
it is used in the gas masks for the
soldiers in the trenches.
Leave it to the boy scouts to aid in
turning in tons of shells and pits as
part of their war work, so long as
they can't be over there themselves!
This letter to the scouts has been
sent by the War Department:
To the Boy Scouts of America:
The splendid record of accomplish
ment in the Boy Scouts of America
program of war work activities is
we'll known to the officials of the War
Department. The effectiveness of your
efforts to help win the war is, as
President Wilson says, "a convincing
testimonial to the value of organized
boyhood." Your membership of 442,-
600 carefully selected men and spec
tally trained boys, covering practi-
cally every part of the United States,
offers an asset for an immediate piece
of worthwhile service of great value
to the nation at this critical hour in
the worlds history.
The materials needed for the man
ufacture of gas masks are not avail
able through the ordinary sources of
supply in sufficient quantities to keep
pace with the rapidly increasing
strength of our armed forces across
the sea. 1t is the purpose of the War
Department to give to each of our
men, as well as to the men of our
Allied forces. every possible advant-
age of physical equipment to aid in
preserving life.
The gas masks which are being
manufactured in this country for the
men of the American Army are CIV
ing the fullest protection to the men
wearing them. The Boy Scouts have
an opportunity to assist in the contin-
uation of this high degree of effici-
ency.
With the cooperation of your execu-
tive officers plan has been developed
whereby each of you may have a def
mite part in this important piece of
service. These plans will doubtless
be explained in detail by your Chief
Scout Executive. An effort has been
made to make it possible for every
scout and scout official to participate
other campaigns your troop records
will show one hundred per cent par
ticipation.
What an inspiring thing it is for the
nation to realize that it has as def
mite asset this large group of earnest
scouts under the efficient leadership,
anxious to have definite part in win
ming the war for freedom. democracy,
liberty, and Justice
Cordially yours,
BENEDICT CROMWELL.
Acting Secretary of War.