Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-08-09
MAKE new SCOUT
POLICY PUBLIC
Statement of National Coun-
Gil Concerning Firearms
and Military Training

The question as 10 the policy OF
the Boy Scouts of America with ref
erence to the use of firearms and
technical military training for boys
OF the scout age is apparently not
clearly understood by some.
II should be remembered hat the
scouting program is primarily for
boys in their teens. Boys are ac-
cepted as members of the Boy
Scouts of America at IL Years OF
age. Indeed, the average age of en-
rolled scouts is from Is to 151a
years. Older boys who are scouts,
and especially those Il. IS, 10 years
of age and over. hold positions of
leadership for the younger boys.
Many serve as patrol leaders-some
as assistant scoutmasters. and others
as expert instructors. This actual ex-
perienCe in leadership is most VAL
liable in training for these older
boys in addition to making possible
effective work with a larger numbe
OF younger boys.
Same Instruction For All
The scheme of organization and
method of carrying out the program
are such as to make il necessary and
more effective to have all scouts re-
CeiVe the same instruction and pass
the same tests for tenderfoot, second
class and first class degrees and the
award of our fifty eight different
kinds of merit badges.
Great care has been taken to place
emphasis in the scouting program
upon things which are of funda-
mental Importance and applicab bile
and most helpful 10 the largest num-
Der of boys of scout age of develop
ing them physically, mentally and
morally and preparing them for the
responsibilities of citizenship.
Section of Article III of the
constitution reads as follows:
In carrying out the purpose of
the Boy Scout movement as stated
herein. technical military training
and drill shall not be included for
the reason that they are not equal in
value or as suitable for boys of
scout age, in training for good citi-
zenship, as the program of scout ac-
tivitiss.'
This reflects the attitude of the
founder of the Boy Scout Associa.
ton of England as well as those
wfo have promoted genuine scout
ing III the United States of America
This policy has the unqualified sup
Tort of both military and educational
authorities here and abroad. There
has been no request from military
authorities or others holding posi-
uons of responsibility for the train
ing of the youth of our country to
make any change in the program or
policy of the Boy Scouts of America
ana no change is contemplated
Drill Program Outlined
Scoutmasters are expected to in
aclude in the prograA for each troop
meeting a limited but sufficient
period for drill in order to make
POSSIBLE rapid mobilization of a
troop of scouts and the proper han
ding of more than one troop when
ssemhled for public service, review
or demonstration.
The Boy Scout of America has
purposely been promoted as an or
sanization which is neither military
nor antimilitary, as militarism is
commonly understood, because il is
the consensus of opinion of educa-
tors as well as military authorities
that other features of our program
ere more important for the proper
development of the adolescent boy
even in times like the present,
when it may be expected that a
large proportion of scouts will be
called into active military service as
they reach maturity.
Indeed, in the training of our
great new army, the military author
:ties find it essential to give pre-
pafdtory training along lines which
nr&ctically parallel the scouting pro-
gram.
The testimony of military experts
u the effect that the program of the
Boy Scouts of America is the best
Bind of preparatory work recognizes
that physical fitness, proper attitude
Uf mind and sense of discipline are
ss fundamentally essential to make
GOOD citizen as to make a good
soldier.
The use of the rife for boys in
mass has been proved extremely
DANGEROUS as well as of little prac-
tical value. To adequately equip the
large membership of $4,000 Boy
Scouts of America would involve not
only, the expense of rifles but ex-
pensfve equipment for the proper
NAVY NEEDS BOILERMAKERs
Lieutenant Commander Newton
Mansfield. recruiting inspector east
ern division. New York City, has is
sued a notice that the enlistments of
boilermakers for the regular Navy for
the duration of the war are especially
desired. The present war pay is
S77.50 a month.