Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-05-16

At a recent meeting In Chicago OF
the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America, a group of men
earnestly presented a definite invita-
ton to officers of the Army, Navy
and Marine Corps to contribute their
quota of men for volunteer leader
ship in scouting.
1t was pointed out that many army
officers who we're enthusiastic about
the Boy Scouts of Americas nom
military program, hesitated in taking
an active part in the movement for
fear their participation would cause
misunderstanding, it being recogniz-
ed by the army and naval officers
that the Boy Scout program for Boy
Scouts was very properly non-mili-
tary in character.
The following resolution was un-
animously passed.:
WHEREAS. The Boy Scouts of
America is non-military in spirit
and in program.
AND WHEREAS, for this rea-
son Officers and Former officers
of the Military establishment have
in spite OF their genuine desire to
do so. expressed a hesitancy to
serve as Scout leaders for fear that
such connection might create a
PUBIC misrepresentation.
BE 1T RESOLVED, That we re-
affirm at this time u policy that
the Scout program is and shall con-
tinue non-military. although n
couraging at all times the virtues
of courage, loyalty. obedience, and
endurance: qualities that are no
less desirable In civic than in mill
tary life.
AND 1T is FURTHER RE-
SOLVED, That we express sincere
appreciation for the splendid CO.
operation which has been given US
by officers of the army and navy
and by members and posts of the
American Legion and others in
military and naval service and ex-
press hope that we shall continue
to enjoy their cooperation in the
future to an even greater degree"
This resolution was formally pre-
sented to General Pershing. and af-
ter a thorough study of the whole
subject and conference with the Sec
rotary of War, the following letter
was written, strongly endorsing the
program of the Boy Scouts of Amer
lea.
Mr.. James E. West.
Chief Scout Executive,
Boy Scouts of America.
New York City.
My dear Mr.. West:
I have received a copy of a reso-
luton recently adopted by the Ma
tional Council, Boy Scouts of Amer
lea, in which the hope is expressed
that Army and Navy men may take
a greater interest in the organization.
You ask my cooperation in bringing
this to the attention of the Army
with a view to encouraging active
participation by a greater number of
Army men.
The Scout Program being non
military in character, it is true as
suggested in the resolution that some
Army officers have hesitated to take
active part in Scouting, fearing 1t
might create misunderstanding, but
l am sure, from the information you
have presented to me, that making
known this resolution expressing the
earnest desire of the leaders of the
Boy Scout Movement for a greater
degree of cooperation, will serve to
remove this misunderstanding.
After carefully reviewing the &C.
tivities of the Boy Scouts of America.
their program, detectives, leadership
and actual accomplishments, do
not hesitate to say that / should be
very glad to see members of the
Army everywhere take such active
part in Scouting as official duties
and local conditions permit.
That the Boy Scout Movement has
already recruited a group OF over
10000 men giving volunteer serv-
ice in character building and citizen
ship training, and that over 100000
boys, of America have been helped
by this program, is a remarkable
accomplishment. 1 feel that the
work is one with which any soldier
should be proud to be associated.
Such association would be of bene-
fit in many ways. The leadership OF
boys develops qualities which aid in
the leadership of men, and active
Scout service would give valuable ex-
perience to many of u officers
which they might not otherwise get
in time OF peace. Moreover, the re-
sponsibility of setting an example to
boys who have adopted a standard
as high as that expressed in the
Scout Oath and Law must react on
the leader in a manner entirely to
his benefit and to that of those with
whom he associates.