The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-05-16
Boy Scout Week
Presidents Proclamation Urges Or
QanizatiOn'S Usefulness Be
Greatly Extended

Wilson, in proclamation made
public here today, recommended
that the period beginning June 8 to
Flag Day. June Id. be observed as
Poy Scout week for the purpose of
strengthening the work of the Boy
Scouts Of America. The President
urged citizens committee in
every community to cooperate in
carrying out program "for ex-
tending the Boy Scout program to
larger proportion of American
boyhood."
Under the plans announced by
James E. West, chief scout execu-
tive, a nationwide campaign will
be conducted for 1000, 900, associ-
ate members to act as scout mas
ters, assistants and other leaders Of
the scout troops. The country will
be divided into twelve districts,
with headquarters for each at Bos-
ton, New York, Philadelphia,
Cleveland. Richmond, Atlanta,
Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis,
Kansas City, Dallas and San Fran
cisco. Each district will be given
a quota Of associate members to en-
roll.
President Wilson's proclamation
follows:
by the President Of the United
States of America.
"a proclamation.
The Boy s. outs of America have
rendered notable service to the ma
tion during the war. They have
done effective work in the Liberty
loan and war savings campaigns, ia
discovering and reporting upon the
black walnut supply. in co-operat-
ing with various war work agen-
cies, in acting as dispatch bearers
for the Committee on Public lnfor-
maton and in other important fields.
The Boy Scouts have not only
demonstrated their worth to the ma
tion, but have also materially con-
tributed to deep appreciation by
the American people Of the higher
conception of patriotism and good
citizenship.
''The Boy Scout movement should
be preserved and strengthened. 1t
deserves the support of all public
spirited citizens. The available
means for the Boy Scout movement
have thus far sufficed for the or
ganization and training Of only a
small proportion Of the boys of the
country. There are approximately
10000. 900 boys in the United
States, between the ages Of II and
2l. Of these only 5000 are en-
rolled as members.
America cannot acquit herself
commensurately with her power
and influence in the great period
now facing her and the world un-
less the boys of America are given
better opportunities to prepare
themselves for the responsibilities of
citizenship.
Every nation depends for its
future upon the proper training Of
its youth. The American boy must
have the hest training and discip-
line our great democracy can pro-
vide if America is to maintain her
ideals and her influence in the
world.
THE plan for Boy Scout week
during which a un versal appeal
will be made to all, Americans to
supply the means to put the Boy
Scout. Of America in a position to
carry forward effectively the splen-
did work they are doing for the
youth Of America. should have the
unreserved support of the nation.
Therefore, l. Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States of
America do hereby recommend that
the period beginning Sunday, June
8, to Flag Day, June ID, be observ-
ed as Boy Scout week throughout
the United States for the purpose
of strengthening the work of the
Boy Scouts of America.
II recommend that. in every
community : a citizens committee.
under the leadership of a national
citizens committee, be organized
to cooperate in carrying out
program for definite recognition
of the effective services rendered
by the boy scouts of America. for q
survey of the facts relating to the
boyhood of each community, in or
der that with the cooperation of
churches, schools and other organi-
cations, definitely engaged in work
for boys. provision may be made
for extending the Boy Scout pro-
gram to q larger proportion of
American boyhood.
1.-The Boy Scout movement offers
unusual opportunity for volunteer