The New York herald., 1920-11-07
BOY SCOUTS START
DRIVE FOR $35O,OOO
Quiet Appeal Made for Help in
Carrying on Great Nation
wide Work.
NY. BEHIND OTHER CITIES
Fund Required to Extend Ac-
tivities-38O.0O0 Now Reg
istered; More Want to Join.

On the morning preceding election day
there appeared in the five leading morn
ing newspapers of the city an advertise
ment almost anonymous in character. in
which were the portraits of citizens and
officials of high rank. In the number
was the President. former President.
the President elect. his opponent and two
former Government officials who had
served with distinction. Politically there
were three Republicans and three Demo-
Gratis In bold type. however. the reader
was told that they all agree on ques-
tion of vital Importance TO every citizen
of New York city" The object of the
advertisement and those which followed
was betrayed by one line in which a dis
cerning advertising manager added ::
Permission to use the above portraits
has been granted to the Boy Scouts Of
America"
The Boy Scouts were launching a
campaign. Whatever may be the diff
ferences of political opinion between
President Wilson and President-elect
Harding or between eX-President Taft
and William G. McAdoo there was
unanimous agreement that the Boy
Scout idea Is one of the finest things
that ever happened to boyhood and
that the movement should be extended
to reach every boy In the nation.
The Boy Scouts of New York have
issued their appeal TO 100000 homes in
the greater city. They have under
taken to raise a modest minimum of
$3.50 200, and as much more as possible
as New Yorks share in supporting the
work OF the national organization and
81. - rha
work In this city. Those who are di-
recting the campaign promise no spec
tacular performances of scout stunts. y
no promiscuous solicitation. but only
an appeal TO educate the people in
scouting, it's needs and possibilities"
In Greater New York there are now
organized 1880 Boy Scouts. 1t has
been estimated by those familiar with
the work that there are $4,000 other
boys unorganized, many thousands OF
whom are anxious TO become scouts
as soon as suitable leaders can be pro-
vided for them. The great job in
scouting is not TO interest boys In the
movement. That is all too easily
done. as the thousands who are wait
ing to qualify all over the country
testify. The essential problem. in the
words of James T.. West, chief scout
executive, is 'to discover and train the
right type OF volunteer leaders"
TITS remarkable" said Mr.. West.
that In this great city Of New York.
with the large number of boys OF for
eign parentage. we should have to trail
all the other cities in the country i'll
work OF this kind. Yet that is just
what we have been doing.
The Boy Scout pros ramme is the
mill in the stream of boyhood. 1t pro-
vides something useful for every boy to
do every minute. We put a windmill In
the path OF the wind and It draws water
as joyously as il upsets the chairs on the
veranda and whisks 5he family wash
from the line. We put n waterwheel in
the stream and It grind: the grain with
the energy which II wou otherwise dis
sipate in washing out its banks and root
ing out the trees.
These things we know. yet we too
often permit youthful energy, our most
valuable asset. to run riot. We even
attempt 70 dam II and then complain be-
caCse Il slops over and does damaEe."
There are now more than $50, 900 Boy
Scouts registered In the United States.
Scout masters, assistants. troop com
m.tteemen and council members. all VOL
unteer workers who are In the WORK he
cause they enjoy the out Of doors and
contact with i've boys. number more
than 10000. The paid ogecutives. field
workers and clerical staff include not
more than ] per cent Of those who are
in the movement. The present campaign
has been und ertaEen for the purpose of
extending the work to boys Of New York
and other boys all over the country who
are waiting for scout leade rshlp and
.ralning