The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-09
BY THE PRESIDENT OF
 THE UNITED STATES
A Proclamation.

The Boy Scouts of America have rendered notable service to the Nation during the world war. They have done effective work in the Liberty Loan and War Savings Campaigns, in discovering and reporting upon the black walnut supply, in cooperating with the Red Cross and other war work agencies, in acting as despatch bearers for the Committee on Public Information, and in other important fields. The Boy Scouts have not only demonstrated their worth to the Ma ton, but have also materially con- tributed to a deeper appreciation by the American people of the higher conception of patriotism and good citizenship.
 The Boy Scout movement should not only be preserved. but strengthen ed It deserves the support of all pub Hc-spirited citizens. The available means for a Boy Scout movement have thus far sufficed for the organi- zation and training of only a. small proportion of the boys of the country There are approximately 10.O00,00o boys in the United States between the ages of twelve and twenty cne Of these only 375,oOO are enrolled as members of the Boy Scouts of Ameri- ca
 America cannot acquit herself com mensurately with her power and in fiuence in the great period now facing her and the world unless the boys of America are given better oppor- tunities to prepare themselves for the responsibilities of citizenship.
 Every nation depends for it's future upon the proper training and develop ment of its youth. The American boy must have the best training and disci- pline our great democracy can provide if America is to maintain her ideals her standards and her influence in the world.
 The plan, therefore, for a Boy Scout Week during which a universal appeal will be made to all Americans to supply the means to put the Boy Scouts of America in a. position to carry forward effectively and contin- uously the splendid work they are doing for the youth of America, should have the unreserved support of the Nation.
 Therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do hereby recommend that the period beginning Sunday, June s. to Flag Day, June 14, be observed as Boy Scout Week through the United States for the purpose of strengthen
  America.
 I earnestly recommend that, in every community, a. Citizens Commit tee, be organized to cooperate in car rying out a program for a definite recognition of the effective service rendered by the Boy Scouts of Amer ica; for a. survey of facts relating to the boyhood of each community, in order that with the cooperation of the churches, schools and other organ izations definitely engaged in work for boys, adequate provision may be made for extending the Boy Scout program to a larger proportion of American boyhood.
 The Boy Scout movement offers unusual opportunity for volunteer service. It needs men to act as com mitteemen and as leaders of groups of boys. I hope that all who can will enlist for such personal service, en- roll as associate members and give all possible financial assistance to this worthy organization of American boyhood. Anything that is done to increase the effectiveness of the Boy l Scouts of America will be a genuine l contribution to the welfare of the | Nation.
 In witness whereof I have here | unto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. ]
 Done this first day of May in the l year of our Lord, one thousand nine 1 hundred and nineteen, and of the in | dependence of the United States of 1 America, the one hundred and forty | third.
 .Csigned)