The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-08-21
SILENT TRIBUTE is
PAID BY BOY SCOUTS
DEATH OF HARDING A GREAT
LOSS TO MOVEMENT. WAS
HONORARY PRESIDENT.

The flags of Fl, 500 Scout troops are
at half-staff in silent tribute to the
memory of the nations head and hon
orary commander-in-chie of the Boy
Scouts of America On several thous-
and OF the standards, coupled with
crepe, fly the presidents streamers OF
red, white and blue, Mr. Harding S
gilt to the troops increasing their
membership in the recent scout round
up-treasured mementoes OF his warm
sympathy and active support OF the
Boy Scout movement.
mo man in public life has meant
so much or done so much tor scout
ing as the late President Harding as
honorary president of the Boy Scouts
of America, states Chief Scout EX-
ecutive James Z. West.
From west to east Boy Scouts
stood at attention in respect to the
memory of the dead president, as the
train bearing the body of this great
hearted leader and devoted supporter
passed on dts sad and impressive
journey to She nations capitol
At practically every station in city,
town and countryside on the route of
the funeral train, regardless of hour
or whether stop was made, the
Scout contingent, usually the length
of the train, was drawn up. Where
stops were made an offering of wild
flowers, gathered by the scouts and
symbolic OF the outdoor life OF scout
ing, was placed aboard.
The tranSContinental spectacle OF
Boy Scouts, representing the same
high ideals of character and citizen
ship which near and far endeared
Warren G.. Harding as a man as well
as a nations leader, bidding a last
goodbye to the mortal remains of the
man who both as head of their coun-
try and as honorary president of their
great organization had made himself
loved by them, was most impressive
one, states an observer.
In San Francisco twenty scouts of
Eagle rank escorted the funeral cor
tege. In Washington the tribute of
esteem was rededicated by Colin H. |
Livingstone, president of the Boy
Scouts of America, James E West, |
chief scout executive, other scout Of |
fcials and a delegation of scouts, to
whom special place in the funeral
services was assigned.
Boy Scouts have cherished memo |
ries in the repeated manifestations of |
both the President and Mrs. Harding
as to their keen appreciation of the
fundamental values of scouting in
character building and citizenship
training. The annals of the Boy
Scouts of America contain no finer
tribute than Mrs Harding's request
that the scouts be included in all ar
engagements on the recent trip, for
guarding the presidential party, be-
cause as she expressed it she always
felt better when the scouts were pres
ent.
The following telegram was dis
patched to Mrs. Harding from the
national office upon receipt of infor-
nation of the presidents death:
Boy Scouts of America six hun
bred eighteen thousand scattered ev-
erywhere are especially thoughtful of
you in this hour of bereavement Pray
that you will be sustained in strength
and courage. Not only have we lost
the president of our country but an
unusually sympathetic and helpful
honorary president and friend of our
organization. DeueVllS VIII nave
your approval we are arranging for
Boy Scout guard of honor at each
railroad station through which your
train will pass. James E. West, chief
scout executive, Boy Scouts of Amer
lea"
His Death Terminates Roundup.
The national office, Boy Scouts of
America, has announced that in view
of the death of the late President
Harding the roundup which was be-
ing conducted by the organization to
secure 100000 members net increase
has been brought to an end.
This roundup was one Of the many
evidences OF the practical interest Of
President Harding in the work of the
Boy Scouts of America Under the
conditions of the roundup effort the
president was awarding a streamer to
each troop and to each local council,
and presenting a personal letter to the
president of every local council earn
ing Is per cent increase in member
ship over a stated time.