The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-05-01
BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT
And The Publisher


Scout movement. Especially fitting
for the newspaper publisher to help
the Boy Scouts of his particular COM
munity in organization, expansion,
and growth through the medium of
his publication.
The Boy Scouts of America have
just completed their fourteenth year.
Organized in February, 1910, they have
grown until now there are 590,501
registered scouts and officials in that
organization. While this seems to be
large number, when we are told
there are 100000 boys of scout age
in the United States, you can readily
see that their work has only just be-
gun. When you stop to consider the
boys of your city or town, individual
ly and collectively, you can readily
see that by giving these boys inter-
esting and useful things to do, it will
keep them out of mischief, and often
worse.
The Boy Scouts of America take
the young boy, at his most suscepti-
BILE age, and teach him, in way that
he enjoys, to be honorable, trustwor-
thy, loyal, thrifty, brave and reverent.
The writer believes that the best
explanation of what Boy Scout
really is, what he does, thinks, and
how he acts, is best explained in the
handbook issued by the organization.
"a Scout! He enjoys hike through
the woods more than he does a walk
over the city's streets. He can tell
north or south or east or west by the
signs. He can tie knot that will
hold, he can climb tree which
seems impossible to others, he can
swim a river, he can pitch a tent, he
can mend tear in his trousers, he
can tell you which fruits and seeds
are poisonous and which are not, he
can sight nut-bearing trees from a
distance, he can reef sail or take
his trick at the wheel, and can pull
an oar or use paddles and sculls; he
knows the stars by name and can find
his way by them; he can identify
birds and animals and fish and knows
the ways and habitats of each.
"a scout walks through the woods
with silent tread. No dry twigs snap
under his feet and no loose stones
turn over and throw him off his bal
ance. His eyes are keen and he sees
many things that others do not see.
He sees tracks and signs which reveal
to him the nature and habits of the
creatures that made them. He knows
how to stalk birds and animals and
study them in their natural haunts.
He sees much, but is little seen.
"a scout, like an old frontiersman,
does not shout his wisdom from the
housetops. He possesses the quiet
power that comes from knowledge.
He speaks softly and answers ques-
tions modestly. He knows braggart
but he does not challenge him, allow
| ing the boaster to expose his igno-
rance by his own loose-wagging
| tongue.
"a scout holds his honor to be his
most precious possession, and he
| would die rather than have it stained
He knows what is his duty and all
obligations imposed by duty he full
fills of his own free will. His sense
of honor is his only taskmaster, and
his honor he guards as jealousy as
did the knights of old In this man.
ner he wins the confidence and re-
spect of all people.
"a scout can kindle a fire in the
forest on the wettest day and he sell
dom uses more than one match,
When no matches can be had he can
still have fire, for he knows the Sc
cret of rubbing sticks used by the In
dians, and he knows how to start q
blaze with only his knife blade and a
piece of flint. He knows. also, the
danger of forest fires, and he kindles
a blaze that will not spread. The fire
once started, what meal he can pre-
pare out there in the open! Just
watch him and compare his appetite
with that of boy who lounges at a
lunch counter in crowded city. He
knows the unwritten rules of the
campfire and he contributes his share
to the pleasures of the council. He
also knows when to sit silent before
the ruddy embers and give his mind
free play.
"a scout practices self-controL for
he knows that men who master prob
lens in the world must first master
themselves. He keeps close guard
on his temper and never makes sill
ly spectacle Of himself by losing his
head He keeps a close guard on his
tongue, for he knows that loud speech
is often cloak to ignorance, that
swe earing is sign of weakness, and
| that i1ntruthfu1ness shatte the r0n-