The Colorado statesman., 1919-06-07
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE PRESIDENT OF
The UNITED STATES

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 dis
covering and reporting upon the black
walnut supply, in cooperating with the
Red Cross and other war work agen-
cies, in acting as dispatch bearers for
the Committee on Public Information,
and in other important fields. The
Boy Scouts have not only demon
strated their worth to the nation, but
have also materially contributed to a
deeper appreciation by the American
people of the higher conception of pa
triotism and good citizenship.
The Boy Scout movement should not
only be preserved, but strengthened.
1t deserves the support of all public
spirited citizens. The available means
| for the Boy Scout movement have thus
far sufficed for the organization and
training of only small proportion of
the boys of the country. There are
approximately 100000 boys in the
United States between the ages of
twelve and twenty-one. OF these only
315000 are enrolled as members of
the Boy Scouts of America.
America cannot acquit herself COM
mensurately with her power and in
fluence in the great period now facing
/ In thn hove nf
America are given better opportunities
than heretofore to prepare themselves
for the responsibilities of citizenship.
Every nation depends for its future
upon the proper training and develop
ment of it's youth. The American boy
must have the best training and disci-
pline our great democracy can pro-
vide if America is to maintain her
ideals, her standards and her influence
in the world.
The plan, therefore, for Il Boy Scout
week during which 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 un-
reserved support of the nation,
Therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States of
America, do hereby recommend that
the period beginning Sunday, June
Sth, to Flag Day, June 18th, be OBJ
served as Boy Scout Week through
the United States for the purpose of
strengthening the work of the Boy
Scouts of America.
| earnestly recommend that, in ev
cry community, a Citizens Committee
under the leadership of National
Citizens Committee, be organized to
cooperate in carrying out a program
for definite recognition of the effec-
tive services rendered by the Boy
Scouts of America for Il 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 the Boy
Scout program to a larger proportion
of American boyhood.
The Boy Scout movement offers un-
usual opportunity for volunteer Serv-
ice. 1t needs men to act as commit
| teemen and as leaders of groups of
boys. | hope that all who can will en-
list for such personal service, en- roll
as associate members and give all
possible financial assistance to this
wOrty organization of American boy
hood. Anything that is done to in
crease the effectiveness of the Boy
Scouts of America will be genuine
contribution to the welfare of the ma
tion.
In witness whereof l 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.
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON.
By the President:
ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary of State
Hampton, Va.-The formal opening |