The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-10-18
SCOUTING MEETS
RURAL PROBLEM
f. d. HAYLEY MAKES REPORT ON
GREAT SCOUT CONVENTION
AT BLUE RIDGE

, The Scout Executives conference,
held at Blue Ridge, North Carolina,
last month, was undoubtedly the
largest and most important meeting
ever staged in this or any other coun-
try of men interested in the nations
youth, irrespective of religious creed
or nationalities, according to Scout
Executive F. Douglas Hawley, who
represented the Palouse council and
territory at this meeting. Over five
hundred scout leaders and education
al authorities were present, includ-
ing official representatives from En-
gland, France and Canada. Every
corner of the United States was rep
resented and will receive benefits
from this conference. Speakers of
national fame, such as Elmo Lewis,
authority on executive leadership;
Dr. Herman H, Horne, professor OF
history of education, University OF
Wisconsin,; and many others, who
gave inspirationa1 and instructive ad-
dresses. Famous experts in camp
craft and Indian lore, such as Dan
Beard. National scout commissioner;
Dr. E. X. Fretwell, of Columbia uni
versity; Ralph Hubbard, Indian au-
thority from University of Colorado;
l.. l.. Macdonald, national camp di-
rector: James A. Wilder, chief sea
scout and camp cooking expert, and
others, led in a very instructive pro-
gram of camping.
Every phase of scouting was taken
ND and discussed These discussions
resulted in many definite recommen-
dations for the improvement OF the
organization and betterment of me
thods in helping the boy toward a
greater character development and
larger usefulness as a citizen.
Throughout the entire conference the
boy was kept uppermost in the minds
of all. and every proposal was given
this acid test: 'eWill it help the boy z"
Mr.. Hawley, as chairman of the
commission on rural scouting, pre-
sented the report of that commission.
The report was we'll received, and
the commission was accorded the bo-
nor of being asked to continue its
Investigations for another two years.
this being the only commission thus
continued. Mr.. Hawley says that one
of the duties of the commission this
winter will be to write special
chapter on rural souting for the
next issue of Community Boy Lead
orship,'' the greatest book yet pub
lished on executive leadership, ac-
cording to business experts.
AS this report has special appli-
action to the type of scouting nee
essary in the Palouse council, 1T
says in part:
"There can be no doubt about
there being a real rural problem. Cl-
vilization rests fundamentally upon
the prosperity of the nation at large.
If we are to hold our boys in the
country, life there must be made at
tractive and satisfying. Such prob
lens as labor, education and health
are important, but equally important
is the opportunity for sane, whole
some recreation on the part of boys
There must be brought to the boys
of the country likewise training in
citizenship and opportunity for ex-
preston of social service. Commun-
itv organization anr social resources
must be developed to meet this need
Knowing the increased value of
scouting under council organization,
a real challenge is presented to US
in extending our organization to en-
brace every rural community large
enough to maintain a scout troop
Let us open wide the door CT
scouting so that the thousands of
boys now ready to strike the train
that leads to good citizenship may
have the opportunity"