San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-11
Around Boy Scout Campfires

New York, Feb. 1O.-The 100000
Boy Scouts in America are concluding
| the celebration of their fourteenth birth
day this week, with the addition of an
other 100000 TO their membership.
This is the elimination of an inten-
sive anniversary roundup" which
| started last November and had the OBJ
ject of raising the membership of this
famous boys organization to the half
million mark. " ~
Thirteen years ago the Boy Scouts
of America was merely an idea in the
minds Of men who are still its guiding
spirits. 1t followed the formation OF a
similar organization in England in 1905
by Sir Robert s. s. Baden Powell.
In the United States at this time
there were two boys organizations.
One, founded by Ernest Thompson
Seton, was called Woodcraft Indians.
The other, called the Sons of Daniel
Boone, was led by Dan C. Beard.
These two organizations were COM
bined and, February 8, 1910, were char
tered as the Boy Scouts of America.
Since then, the Boy Scouts have had
some 100000 boys in its membership,
and at the beginning of this year had
standing membership Of 400,601. This
week. the leaders of the movement hope
to count half a million boy scouts.
At the head of the organization to-
day are men like Colin III. Livingstone
of Washington, ID. c., the only presi-
dent the organization ever had: James
f. West, chief scout executive since
January 1, 1911; Mortimer L. Schiff,
New York banker, vice president of the
national council of the Boy Scouts of
America George d. Pratt of New York,
treasurer; Clarence ii. Howard of st.
Louis, and Walter W. Head of Omaha,
vice president of the National Bankers
Association.
Although it is thirteen years old, the |
Boy Scout movement is still in its in
fancy, say its officials. They point to |
the fact that there are some 100000 |
boys of scouting age in this country and |
only half a million in the movement.
The aim of the Boy Scout movement |
is generally to supplement the various
existing educational organizations and |
to each boys to do things for themselves
and for others. |
Every boy, to become a scout, takes
an oath in which he pledges himself to |
do his duty to God and country. to !
help other people at all times and to |
keep himself physically strong, mentally |
awake and morally straight. His motto
is BE Prepared" and his slogan "Do
a Good Turn Daily"
Practically all religious bodies have |
this movement in connection |
with their own work with boys. Schools
recognize it is as an aid to education
and prominent men throughout the coun-
try have shown a deep Interest in its
affairs.
Four presidents are on the list of
honorary ACKNOWLEDGMENT, Taft. |
Wilson and Harding. More than 80 |
governors have taken the scout oath
as honorary "tenderfoot" scouts.
Leading the boys. with no money
for themselves, are near
" 100000 business and professional
men, who are acting as scoutmasters.
troop committeeman and members of
ocal councils.
Boy Scouts OF the city will attend
heir Sunday schools and church today
Ind number of special services COM
Boy Scout Sunday will be
leld in the churches. The twelfth scout
aw-'A Scout Is Reverent" will hold
, large place in the activities for the
lay.
Registering at Boy Scout headquar-
ers this past week was Scout Donald
Finch who has returned to the city
from Hoopeston, Illinois. Don is a
member of Troop IA and was given a
glad welcome by his troop mates.