The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-06-07
Boy Scouts Are
Against Tipping

One English boys refusal TO take
a tip from an American in London
started the Boy Scout movement in
America and this may well be the
wedge which will split wide open the
undemocratic custom of. tipping.
The Boy Scouts of America have
a code of ethics Scouting went on
record from its inception as definitely
opposed to giving or taking tips, but
It remained for the Boy Scouts of
America to specifically formulate
this attitude into its law. The fol-
lowing excerpts from that law are
applicable:
Law 8. A Scout is helpful. He
must do at least one good turn to
somebody every day.
Law 5. A scout i S courteous.
He must not take any pay Tor being
helpful or courteous.
Law g. A scout is thrifty. He
may work for pay but must not re-
ceive tips for courtesies or good
turns"
1t will be noticed that regular
work for regular pay is not forbid
den; it is encouraged. The scout is
urged to earn money for himself but
to do so on strictly honorable, self
respecting basis of compensation.
For friendly service and helpful
ness no scout may or will desire to
accept a gratuity. The distinction
between this fine ideal and the low
standard that prevails in most
hotels restaurants, barber shops and
numerous other public service con-
Germs, is emphatic. A waiter, bell
boy, doorman, chauffeur, barber,
porter, maid. ETC., demands tips for
being ordinarily courteous and help
full. They seldom give a real extra
service.
Under the Boy Scout code the idea
of true service is preserved, unal-
loyed by any selfish considerations.
Scouting" the publication for
officials of the Boy Scouts, in its
January issue gave the following
history of the Boy Scout movement in
America.
Every one knows of the Boy
Scout and his daily good turn. Hun
dreds of thousands of good turns
are being done daily by Boy Scouts
everywhere. What is the greatest
single good turn on record? Is the
one mentioned in this story it? Or
do you know one more significant?
Everyone knows of the Boy
Scouts but few people are aware that
one small boy in a crowded London
street inadvertently planted the
acorn that has grown into that
sturdy oak, the Boy Scouts of Amer
lea.
"Mr. W. D. Boyce, of Chicago, in
1909, on his way to certain destlna-
ton in London, lost his way in the
devious mazes of that city. Pauslng
in uncertainty to get his bearings, he
was confronted by small boy VINO
saluted and asked politely If he
might be of service. Pleased by the
lads manner and grateful for the
timely offer of aid, Mr.. Boyce accept
ed the lads guidance, and arrived at
the goal, offered him shilling. To
his amazement the boy drew himself
up saluted with dignity and replied
that he was Boy Scout and Scout
never took tips for small deeds OF
courtesy. His curiosity plqued by
this response, the American asked
pertinent questions as to Boy Scouts
of whom he knew nothing at the
time. He was promptly conveyed to
the British Scout Headquarters and
introduced to Sir Robert Baden
Powell
when Mr.. Boyce sailed for home
he brought with him a trunk full OF
Scout literature and a determination
that American boys should have
Scouting at once and effectively.
1910, the Boy Scouts OF Amer
lea was incorporated in the District
of Columbia and in 1916 granted
Federal Charter by Act of Congress.
In the ten years history of the or
ganization, fully one million two
hundred thousand boys have gone
through the Scout Mill" and emerg-
ed physically. mentally and morally
fitted, and with definite training in
citizenship.
1--WE don't know that British
Scouts name, but we salute him.
This good turn brought to America
the biggest boys club in the world,