Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-05-23
THE BOY SCOUTS
Pres. Wilson Recommends Week in.
June be Set Apart for the Pur-
pose of Adding Strength to
the Organization

rendered notable service to the Ma
ton 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 dispatch
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 strength
ened. 1t deserves the support of all
public-spirited citizens. The avail
able means for the Boy Scout move
ment have thus far suffced for the
organization and training of only a
small proportion Of the boys of the
country. There are approximately
10,O00,000 boys in the United States
between the ages of II and 21. Of
these only 375,000 are enrolled as
members Of the Boy Scouts of America
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 opportuni
ties than heretofore to prepare them
selves for the responsibilities OF
citizenship.
Every nation depends for its future
upon the proper training and develop
ment of its youth. The American
boy must have the best training and
discipline our great democracy can
provide if America is to maintain her
ideals, her standards and her infiu-
ence in the world.
The plan, therefore, for a 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 in a position to carry for
ward effectively and continuously the
splendid work they are doing for the
youth of America, should have the
unreseurved 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 IA, be observed as
Boy Scout Week through the United
States for the purpose of strengthen
ing the work of the Boy Scouts or
America.
| earnestly recommend that, in ev-
cry community, a Citizens Committee
under the leadership of a National
Citizens committee, be organized to
cooperate in carrying out program
for a definite recognition of the eff
fective 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 cooperation Of churches, schools
and other organizations definitely en-
gagged in work for boys, adequate pro-
vision may be made for extending the
Boy Scout program to larger pro-
portion of American boyhood.
The Boy Scout Movement offers un-
usual opportunity for volunteer serv-
ice 1t needs men to act as committee
men and as leaders Of groups of boys.
| hope that all who can will enlist foc
such personal service, enroll as asso-
ciate members and give all possible
financial assistance to this worthy or
ganization of American boyhood.
Anything that is done to increase the
effectiveness of the Boy Scouts of
America will be a genuine contribu-
ton to the welfare of the Nation.
In witness whereof | have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
Done this first day of May in the
year of our Lord, one thousand nine
hundred and nineteen, and Of the in
dependence of the United States of
America, the one hundred and forty
third.
(SigneO WOODROW WILSON.
By the President:
ROBERT LANSING,