Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-04-29

Open Drive
Here Today

The immense crowd that more than
comfortably filled the armory We'd
nesday night was given first hand
introduction TO the boy scouts of Sa-
lem, and also a conception of what
the boy scout movement means in
terms OF Christian heipfulness and
true citizenry.
The carefully prepared program
was thoroughly enjoyed, and after
the rendition of 'The' Star Spangled
Banner" everyone departed with the
knowledge that Salem lodge SS6, B.
P. o. E., can successfully carry out
the role of host to all of Salem should
the occasion arise. Every number
was presented by local talent and re-
eeived repeated encores.
The sensation of the evening was
the grand finale event. when Scout
master Harold Cooke was introduced
to the audience by Walter Denton.
and whose word of command brought
zoo scouts to the front of the audit
orium. As each scoat troop assembled
in orderly ranks a huge American
flag was suddenly dropped to form
an impressive background. This was
a signal for the darkening of the aud
itorium and red flares were lighted
as the band struck up the National
Anthem.
Problems Depicted
The boy scouts motion picture,
''The Square Table" delivered a punch
ing message to every individual who
is in any way interested in boys. The
picture depicts scenes, paralleled in
stances of which can be found in ev-
cry community In the United States,
Salem not excepted. Were Salem cit
izens interested three years ago when
a band of "boy bandits" was un-
earthed in this cityg Or year later
when the desire to ''do 1t like the
fellers say led a number of Salem
lads into q bicycle stealing campaign
that puzzled the authorities for sew
eral weeks? Or even more recently
when four or five Salem lads. all un-
der Is years of age participated in
the systematic looting of local store?
High Ideals Appeal
! "Misdirected boyhood" is the way
scout leaders describe the situation,
and 1t is certainly a prideful achieve
ment worth universal interest when
these leaders review the growth and
success of the scout movement. Boys
whose only interest yesterday was to
get into mischief or be attracted by
filthy stories are today coming into
the organization with working knowl
edge of what Pug discovered in the
Square Table"-"It's sure more fun
to help other folks"
Walter Denton, member of the Sa-
i lem scouts council spoke briefly but
pointedly. 1.-The Elks and all good cit
izens are behind the boy scout move
ment, because they know that the
boy of today is the man of tomor-
row." said Mr.. Denton. The scout
motto of One good turn each day is
ian investment for good citizenship.
llstment in Salem has grown from 35
to nearly $50. The local scout troops
need financial aid. If every family in
Salem were living in atcountry wAere
i they would have to pay despotic
ruler $500 per year or allow their
sons to be drafted into a vicious en-
terprise that would warp them mem
tally, spiritually and physically, don't
you think that the sum would be paid
somehow" is one of Mr. Denton's ar
guments. "Idleness and wrong doing,
engendered by questionable associ-
ates, present pitfalls for your boy.
Get behind the boy scout movement
and realize that the few dollars re-
quired of you is sterling invest
ment"
Must Have Aid
Mr.. Denton's talk to last nights
audience was centercd mainly on the
activities of the scouts In this city
and in their plans for completion of
their drive for $4,000, needed in put
ting the Salem organization in po-
sition to recruit 1000 more boys.
other features of the Elks Big
Brother program were as follows:
The Elks band, seven interspersed
numbers.
The Elks quartet. (something do
ing every minute.)
Whistling solos by Miss Bertha
Clark
Solos by Mrs w. Carlton Smith,
Mrs. A. A. Schramm accompanist
-Four Leaf Clover" Coombs. words
by the Oregon writer. Ella Higgen-
son. Mrs. Smiths second number was
Dear Little Boy of Nine"
E. Cooke Patton and magic. "a
winning number.)
i "Dad says so, anyhow" as clever
ly presented by Miss Won Behren.
was enjoyed by all.
How the French boy scouts had
been found to be invaluable aids to
their distressed country during the
world war was told by George Hal-
vorsen.
Dan Langenberg presented one Of
his pupils. Claud Stevenson. in solo
numbers that brought repeated en-
cores.