The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-11
Youths Indulge in Contests,
Games, Hear Addresses and
Pledge Themselves Anew to
Their Oath and the Principles
of Scouting

BY NIIGNoN HALL

1t looked like a young war had
broken out yesterday and last night
at the fairgrounds, with all the SOL
diers under the draft age of 16 years.
Little bitty four-foot fellows were
there. drilling their pigmy brethren
and leading them In long phalanxes.
Their fitness for service was revealed
In newly pressed khaki suits, bright
and rudy cheeks, outstanding un-
ruly, boyish hair, and muscles that
were able to meet other muscles just
as young and do themselves credit,
as well as being exercised.
A Big Task
1t was the Boy Scout jamboree
day night at the fairgrounds,
and coming as it did as forerunner
to Armistice day, it made those self
same youths recall with how much
bravery they must carry on IL they
are to fill with credit the places left
vacant by their brothers, their faith
ers and relatives killed in that great
World war. which left so many
hearts bereft.
There are nearly $500 Scouts in
this city of Birmingham. and most
of them were present at the jam
49, ~ W iSii was really planned Dy
Scout Executive Roland l.. Shine as
great getting together, a time of
merriment and joy. and an occasion
for happily testing Scout ability
against Scout ability.
There was an afternoon and night
program, that of the afternoon being
particularly for the Scouts own
amusement, and that at night being
for the general public, several hun
dred persons assembling to hear a
stirring address made by w. A. SUIT
ton of Atlanta, former superintendent
of education and former Scout COM
missioner of that city. and to see
three Scouts. who have attained the
rank of Eagles. receive their merit
badges
Highest Rank
This rank Is the highest any youth
may attain In Scout work, the three
lucky boys presented with them be-
ing Assistant Scoutmaster Leon
Franklin of Troop 40, Nat Mcconnell
and Woodson Burchfields of Troop IL
Probably in all their lives nothing
will ever thrill these chaps with
greater pride and ppiness-even
when the time comes that grown-up
honors may be bestowed upon them
as their portion in later, wiser years
room had played games upon the
broad race track at the fairgrounds.
and just before nightfall went
through the joy of preparing their
own meals in the open where weinies,
best beloved of all Scout edibles. put
such savory smell into the atmos-
phere that the tops of the fences
were crowded with the eager faces
of civilian kids and even grown-ups.
who felt that somehow life had
treated them rough"
They had that lonesome feeling
which gradually deepened Into de-
termination, plainly to be noted, that
they intended to go home and pur-
themselves, and didn't intend to In
wife anybody to have any, either!
Two Bands
The public program began with a
parade. the Boys Industrial band
leading. and with the Avondale baud
in the line between the squads. C.
A. Moffett was marshal of the pa
rade of these hundreds of brown
clad youths. and the marching fea-
lures were reviewed by the executive
board, members of the court of honor
and the commissioners, who were
seated in the bandstand Notable
among these are Dan Dimick. presi-
dent of the council, and e. H. An
drews, Scout commissioner. The
troops marched six PAGES apart, and
the district squads 10 PAGES removed
from one another. Scout leaders from
all over the city were there to see
that their boys made a good show
ing While the Eagle badges were
being presented, the Scouts made an
impressive picture of coming young