New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-06-01
dollar Drive
Of Boy Scouts
Begins To-day
Pastors of Virtually Every
Church in U.S. Will Praise
Them as Auxiliary Army
That Helped Win the War

Boy Scouts will hear themselves
praised as the auxiliary army Of the
United States, which did much to
bring about the victory over Germany,
from virtually every pulpit in the
United States this morning.
President Wilson's proclamation.
calling upon the nation to help in the
membership drive of the Boy Scouts
of America, to open officially next
Sunday, will be read by ministers,
priests and rabbis. So far as it is
known, not g church leader has re-
fused to voice this recognition of the
Scouts war service.
To-day's services in the churches
will mark the unofficial opening of the
drive that is scheduled to bring
l,0O000O adult associate members in
to the Scout organization. Officially,
q. will begin next Sunday and con-
tinue for seven days.
big Bill" Edwards, chairman of
the New York citizens committee, YES
terday announced that everything was
in readiness to begin the campaign
here. The 100000 members here will
be enrolled during an intensive can
vass with the slogan: "Invest a Dollar
in Boyhood to Build Manhood" on the
lips Of all the workers.
Objects of Campaign
AS set forth yesterday by Chair
man Edwards, the objects Of the cam
paign are:
First--Definitely to recognize ma
tionally the Boy Scout movement
and especially the achievements of
the Boy Scouts nationally and
locally during the war.
Second-To bring to the attention
of citizens of the various towns.
communities and cities the vital
facts with reference to its boyhood.
Third-To interest .churches,
schools and other organizations
which have point of contact with
boy life, 80 that there will be or
gained wherever possible troops
of Boy Scouts.
Every day during the drive pro-
gramme of activities has been mapped
out, which will follow the same gen
eral plan of unfolding the campaign
as was used during the Victory Loan
There will be speeches, pag- ants
parades, demonstrations in the schools
and churches, and companies of Boy
Scouts will set up camps in public
squares and parks to show the sort of
life followed while on active duty.
Presidents Proclamation
President Wilson's proclamation fol.
lows:
"The Boys 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 discover
ing and reporting upon the black wal
nut supply, in cooperating with the
Red Cross and other war work agen.
cies, in acting as dispatch bearers fol
the Committee on Public Information
and in other important fields. The
Boy Scouts have not only demonstrated
their worth to the nation, but have
also materially contributed to deepe,
appreciation by the American people
OF the higher conception Of patriotism
and good citizenship
"The Boy Scout movement should
not only be preserved but strength.
ened. 1t deserves the support of all
public spirited citizens. The available
means for the Boy Scout movement
have thus far sufficed for the organi-
cation and training of only a small
proportion of the boys of the country
There are approximately 10000, OOO
boys in the United States between
the ages of twelve and twenty-one. Of
these only $4,000 are enrolled as mem
bers of the Boy Scouts Of America.
America cannot acquit herself COM
mensurately with her power and in
fluence in the great period now facing
her and the world unless the BOYS of
America are given better opportunities
than heretofore 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.
Appeals to All Americans
"The plan, therefore, for Boy Scout
Week, during which a universal appeal
will be made to all Americans to sup
ply the means to put the Boy Scouts
of America is position to carry for
ward effectively and continuously the
splendid work they are doing for the
youth Of America, should have the
unreserved support of the nation.
wherefore, l, Woodrow Wilson, Pres
ident of the United States of America,
do hereby recommend that the period
beginning Sunday, Juno 8, to Flag
Day, June ID, be observed as Boy Scout
Week throughout the United States for
the purpose of strengthening the work
OF the Boy Scouts of America.
II earnestly recommend that in
every community a citizens commit
tee, under the leadership of a national
citizens committee, be organized to
cooperate in carrying out programme
for definite recognition of the effec-
tive services rendered by the Boy
Scouts Of America, for a survey of the
facts relating to the boyhood Of each
community, in order that with the CO.
operation of churches, schools and
other organizations definitely engaged
in work for boys, adequate provision
may be made for extending tho Boy
Scout programme TO a larger proper