The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-04-05

and the sense Of discipline, and main
tain order while in line of march, on
hikes and other occasions.
The Boy Scout movement Is dis
tlnctly peace movement and is not
military. The manual of arms is
not taught, guns are not permitted
to be carried on hikes. A rifle club
may be formed here and there but
It is merely to crafty that desire,
found In every normal American boy,
to be a "crack shot" and excel in
craftsmanship.
Follow the scout movement during
the war and at no time or place will
you find Boy Scout units giving
themselves to military duty.
Many older scouts volunteered for
service and the record shows that
they made good and ranked among
the best of the A. +. f., but each
of these entered the service as citi-
zens of the nation and not as men,
bers of the Boy Scouts organization.
That the scouts were very active
during the war is wen known
throughout the whole of America
and that their activities were iden-
titled with war measures is known
by all, but these services were all
supplemental, assisting when called
upon, in the Liberty Loan and War
Savings Stamps campaigns. They
helped the Red Cross, the war work
activities and distributed educational
literature for the government, and in
addition, gathered nuts and seeds
for gas masks, walnut timber for
aeroplanes and gave in every way
their time and talent as demanded.
There was not a Stacker in the whole
organization, but every scout did his
part to "help win the war" and live
to their slogan, Every Scout to save
a Soldier" adm this was done, not as
a military body but as civil unit
doing duty as citizens, patriots and
heroes, and 100 per cent Americans
There was one thing especially
noticeable, wherever you saw a boy
or group of boys doing war work you
at once said, "They are Boy Scouts"
for the Boy Scout was always on the
'job"
Now what is the Boy Scout organi-
zation for if it is not military, COM
mercial, sectarian or political? And
to this question the writer replies as
follows. The Boy Scout organization
is for the boy. 1t is not to help the
above ahmed institutions, but rather
expects the above named institutions
to do all they can to help the Scout.
AS an institution it gives to every
boy between the ages Of IL and Is
years, an opportunity for an honest,
clean, healthful and noble expression
in every phase of normal life.
1t absorbs his idle hours and di-
rects mis- activities in su, 4 service
and pleasures as will develope his
soul, mind and body in the attributes
of true manhood
It is sufficiently flexible that
,.a1,or, roo;atiac uobooIc fratnrna1
and labor organizations, civic vubs
and ewlfare communities can form
patrols and troops; provided, they
are formed to help and not exploit
the boy.
1t is not to add to the burdens of
the boys life but to enable him to
understand and bear them; there
fore, it neither duplicates nor dis
places his duties at home and school
but supplements these by leading
him into experiences of service and
touch with nature such as home, text
books and school rooms will not af-
ford him. And family, it leads him
into an exalted understanding of
God. His laws and the things He
created, building up in Him the sense
of responsibility to God, his country
and community; his home and his
fellow man.
This is the work and fruitage of
the Boy Scout organization and to
promote it, is the duty and should
re the desire of every boy-loving,
patriotic man.
Scout Executive.