New Britain herald., 1929-01-23
New Britain Boy Scouts Complete
 Most Successful Year In History

are planning q our objective . min- imum of n troops and TOO Scouts.' T l Merit Bsdge Rccord
 4 record number of tests were passed during 1928. During that twelvemonth. according to the first report of Chairman George B. Fay Tor. the court of honor approved five palms. three eagle badges, II life badges. 4s star badges. 1.t71 merit badges. 73 Vrst class tests, 237 second class tests, and 349 tenderfoot tests. Tho record of 1.07l merit badges contrasts with 1e5 during 1927. More badges were awarded in bookbinding than in any other subject. the total number be- iIg 233. Handicraft was second with 122 and personal health third, with the old leader. firemanship, falling back to fourth. Only one badge was awarded in each of the following subjects: angling. agriculture, art, and business.
 MT. Taylor's report states:
 "The increase in higher awards is due to the facts that second class scouts could pass examinations in five subjects out of thirty-odd list cd and that the court of honor started . contest In which points were given to the troops for pass ing second class, first class. merit badges and the higher ranks. The contest was close for the first nine months. At first Troop { led but later Troop 21 took the lead and was never caught. The final starG- ing of tho high point troops in the contest was as follows:
 Troop a1. 11ss points: Troop {. 7ss points: Troop 1, Pl.. 6ss points; Troop 2. 3ls points; Troop ', 295 points: Troop 3, 213 points: Troop 20. ls6 points: Troop 24. t66 points: Troop 23. 103 points. Twelve other troops finished with less than 100 points. The total awards in points was @,l46 and tho total attendance at the sessions was 800 Scouts and leaders.
 'The court of honor suggests that instead of . similar competi- ton in 1929. the council work out with the help of the Scoutmasters' association. a troop rating plan which will include advancements in tests. camping. troop meetings. and attendance. Such a competition is against . standard. not against each other and 1t ts up to the troop as to what its percentage rating is. The council should provide some sort. of troop flag streamer to designate the troop rating rank achieved by the troop.
 With the assistance of deputy commissioners and scoutmaster3, examiners in merit badge subjects have been approved in Berlin and Plainville. This has helped scouts in those communities already and is just a step toward the ultimate es- tablishment of district courts of honor at those two places. If the ad- vancemept pace of 1923 is contin- ued, then such committee will need to function very soon.
 Tribute to Colonel BvlIen We regret the loss. by resigna- tion. ofr Colonel ". w. Bullen, for 80 many years chairman of our court of honor. He has given won- derful service and good advice to several thousand scouts who have appeared before him during the past ten years. This place is hard to fill. as he was very we'll fitted for this particular service to our boyhood. Another loss by resignation, is that of Ralph Wainwright. He was forced to relinquish his place on the committee because of accepting 0 business appointment in Brityeport. Mir. Wainright's loss is also dis tinctly felt because of his knowledge of nature and kindred subjects.
 "Your committee has been forced to find different meeting places for the court of honor because of growth. We are indebted to the Chamber of Commerce for the use of its rooms during the past few years. When our court of honor at- tendance went to 100 boys and over. we had to transfer our sessions from the Chamber of Commerce and for time find quarters in the City hall hearing room. However, we were not permitted to continue there and the last two sessions were held. one in the Central Junior High school and the other in the vestry of the First church. We hope that during this coming year. we may find a definite meeting place.
 'The men who gave fine service on this committee were as follows: Raymond A. Catlin. Neil MacDoug- all. Col. w. w. Bullen. Ralph Vain right. Arthur Ames. Charles E. Morgan a2d c. B. Taylor. Men wno have given monthly service at the Board of Review Sessions .;ere Deputy Commissioner Charles Abell. Deputy Commissioner Neil Mac Dougall. Commissioner Charles E. Morgan. Harry Bonney. Kermet Parker, David Ahlgren. E. M. Is. lieb. D. N. Boehm. and Deputy Commissioner Howard M. Knapp in Plainville."
 Camping Report
 The biggest camping season ever conducted by the council is re- viewed in the report of Logan Page. chairman of the camping commit tee. The total of scout weeks for thu civ u,oaL roAoA -o, 90E or average of more than 4s. The camp Keemosahbee-was moved during the year from it's previous location at Jobs pond. Portland. and found 6 permanent home at Crystal pond, Eastford. on property purchased by the council. The re- port states:
 'Tha program of camp activities was we'll balanced and despite the