New Britain herald., 1928-02-11
SCOUTS MOBILIZE
 AT STATE ARMORY
300 Respond to Sudden Notice
 to Assemble Ranks

Hello. Scout mobilization at the state armory on Arch street at !
 o'clock. Make it snappy. Goodby."
 In answer to these words repeat ed scores of times over the tele- phone. 800 Boy Scouts descended upon the armory early last evening in the first mobilization held by the local council since the days of the World war. The call came suddenly at s:46 o'clock with no previous hint of the time or place of meet ing. but in considerably less than an hour 70 per cent of the scouts in New Britain and practically every one of the commissioned leaders were in line on the armory floor to answer to roll call. This turnout was far beyond the widest anticipations of the council officials and showed that New Britain scouts are constantly living up to their motto: Be Prepared"
 The first telephone messages were sent out to troop leaders by Scout Executive O. A. Erickson. Commissioner Charles E. Morgan and the several deputy commission ers. The scoutmasters relayed the message to their assistants and pa trol leaders, and the last pyramided the number Of phone calls as they worked feverishly to get in touch with all members of their respec- tive patrols. In some cases 1t was necessary to notify boys personally. there being no nearby telephones. But long before ! o'clock the scouts began to pour into the armory in ever increasing numbers. coming by on bicycles, afoot at scouts pace, and in at least one in- stance by scooter"
 The troops lined up on the arm ory floor, blanketing the walls and forcing one troop to take it's stand in the center of the hall because of lack of room elsewhere. This troop, Troop 2s, was recently form ed It the Emmanuel Gospel church. It marched in just before roll call and reported a 100 per cent at of two leaders and 10 scouts. Other troops which had every boy present were Troop 3 of the Trinity M. E. church, Troop 8 of the Levi P. Smith school and Troop 20 of the Lincoln school. Troop { of the First Congregational church had the largest actual at- tendance,
 The total number of scouts pres ent was 27s. this being 70 per cent of the Se5 boys in New Britain troops. In addition there were 2S troop leaders. four troop committee men, seven candidates, the execu- tive. the commissioner, three dep- uty commissioners and two dads. a grand total of 3e4. Every one of the 1s troops was represent ed.
 After roll call the entire as- semblage repeated the scout oath and law and the pledge to the flag. the scene being an impressive one as the scouts stood at attention and stated their creed. One verse of America" was sung. after which Morgan made a few remarks. He then read a message from Mayor Gardner c. Weld, as follows:
 T am greatly interested in the results of your mobilization call. I regreat that I am prevented from seeing your assembly in person, but two civic engagements have made a prior claim on my time.
 T assume that the mobilization is a huge success. That your response has been prompt and in large num- bers. That you have grasped the real reason for such a call, that 1t ls only living up to your scout mot to Be Prepared For that reason wish to compliment all of our Council Scouts and their magnificent leaders for being such regular scouts at all times.
 Signed,
 Mayor Gardner C. Weld"
 The boys then scrambled into the bieachers on the north side of the armory and Deputy Commissioner George Ward led in group singing with James Beach at the piano. Deputy Commissioner Neil Mac Dougall sponsored a first aid demon- stration in which six troops com peted. With no previous prepara- 'ion. the teams had to use what material and splints they could rout out, but all six patients were well bandaged. Troop was yiven first place, Troop Is second md Troop { third. Another song period followed, being conducted with "Keemosahbee," the dignified camp song of the local council. The .roops lined up once more, and Deputy Commissioner Charles Abel ed in three cheers for the commits 'ioner and another trio for Execu- live Erickson. Taps was blown by Eagle Scouts Winthrop Warren and Baker. Then the boys marched out, saluting the colors as hey went.
 The roll call, by troops. was as 'ollows: Troop of South Congrega- ional church, two leaders and 21 scouts: Troop of Trinity M. E. one leader and 23 scouts: Troop 1 of Center Congregational church. leaders and 30 scouts; American Legion Troop 7, two lead ITS and 25 scouts; Troop 8 of Levi ?. Smith school. one leader and IF 'couts: Troop g of First Baptist 'hurch, three leaders and 19 scouts; Troop 10 of Congregation Sons of Israel. five scouts; Troop II, two eaders and two scouts: Troop IF, 'ne leader and 10 scouts: Troop l4 # Stanley school. one leader and 14 Troop Is of St. Mary's .hurch. three leaders and 16 scouts; Troop 16 of St. John's church seven