The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-12
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Hats off to the Boy Scouts of America.
 They have made good in every test, and
 the organization has right to the hearty
 support of the public.
 The war has shot to pieces the organi-
 zation so far as scout leaders are con cerned, but no one knowing how they volunteered for army service will bemoan
 the fact that they laid down the work
 at home to take 1t up abroad
 To carry on the war work of the Boy Scouts of America, as urged by President Wilson, a campaign nationwide for men to lead the Boy Scouts and for money
 rated. The President says that all men in the country who are not able to go to the front should take up this patriotic work.
 The national council of the Boy Scouts of America is now in the midst of a drive to fill up the ranks and pour the necessary money in the treasury. It be- gan on February and is supposed to end on February Is, therefore, it's urgent for you to act at once; s2O0,O00 year for three years and scout leader reserve corps of 100000 men is the goal. For years the boy problem faced the students of sociology and church and
 the worlds history have boys-just boys
 had such an opportunity as they now have for helping their country, for never
 before were boys asked by their govern
 ment to do such big things for it as has
 the Boy Scouts of America. Remember that youthful enthusiasm and even pa-
 triotsm without an outlet often turns
 to crime.
 The call, therefore, comes to red blooded men to be ''big brothers to the boys who want to be led in paths of service for their country Never before have men-real men who want to be at
 the front. but can't-had the change to do their bit by becoming members of the scout leaders reserve corps. A big op-
 portunity knocks at the door and the heart of every lover of boys. Don't shut your eyes to the need or close your ears to the call to service.
 The Birmingham council not only needs
 scout leaders, but it is set to get 1000 new members during the week of Febru-
 ary 10 to Is. Birmingham cannot and
 will not turn cold shoulder to the Boy
 Scouts who are rapidly gaining momen- tum in actual war service and getting
 practical results as is evidenced by the
 have given 15,000 hours of service in connection with the work of the ex-
 empton board liberty loan committee,
 food conservation, Red Cross and com
 mittee on public information, and in
 each case their work has been highly commended by the heads of the de-
 partments under whom they served.
 President E. H. Andrews of the Bir- miDgham council, knowing that you ap-
 preciate the work the Boy Scouts are
 doing, urges you to show your interest
 by joining. You can become member
 by paying a per year, which will repre- sent your entire financial obligation.
 While your very active work and CO.,
 operation are desired, he. is ready to
 promise that no greater demand will be
 made upon your time and energy than
 you can freely give. It's up to you to
 at feast show your interest by becoming
 A 1or ,berc ;,,
 dicate to the boys that Birmingham is
 really interested in their welfare and
 expects to stand at their backs while
 they do the work cut out for them in
 these war times.
 Keep this in mind. More scouts are
 needed. The number of those applying for membership can be increased only through the securing of more men as
 leaders, and more money for expenses.
 I know that both money and men are
 needed, for have son, who has been in behind me ever since December to see
 to 1t that he gets a scout master. Any father who has husky 12-year-old lad punching him up will understand why l
 have made life miserable for IT. w. Wes-
 ter, scout master. to find a leader for
 Frank Willis, Jr.s I have not only
 general, but a personal interest in help ling the Birmingham council
 Fathers, want to drive into your busy
 brains that under war conditions no boy ought to be left to play without purpose. He is as greatly needed for the real tasks which he can perform as is the soldier on the firing line or the
 workman in the intuition factories No
 boy should be left without something definite to do for the government Uncle Sam needs him and he needs the dscip- line which will come to him through the training he will get under compe- tent leadership.
 There are hundreds of boys here in this district who could be scouts if the Birmingham council could only find suf- ficient leaders and enough to pay the necessary and legitimate expenses which are but a bagatelle when weighed with the amount of service rendered. Men must offer to lead, and those who are physically unfit or tied down to busi- ness so that they cannot act ought to
 at least be willing to put sl a year into the great movement,
 President Wilson, four members of his cabinet, the governor of Alabama and