Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1937-07-22
National Topics Interpreted

but to the future
the future leaders. It shall be, to
that extent, a discussion Of funda-
mentals about which I think there
can be no controversy.
First, let us take quick survey.
In the Capitol building Of our own
nation there is raging bitter de-
bate between two schools of political
thought. The question is whether
there shall be law passed that will
give to the President of the United
States the power to appoint addi-
tional justices to the bench of the
Supreme court when and If present
sitting members reach the age of
seventy-five and refuse to retire
from active work.
In Spain, bitter political war
fare moves on apace. 1t is over the
question whether Communism of the
Russian sort or Fascism Of the Ital-
ian brand should be the dominant
influence in the government of that
nation.
In the Far East, along the Rus
sian border, troops of the Japanese
+ emperor and of the Russian dicta-
tor, Stain, glared at each other.
Their controversy also involves po-
litical bases. That controversy also
is complicated by economic condi-
tons. It is powder key.
Back in Europe, we find dicta-
tor, Hitler by name, prosecuting
citizens of Germany almost without
end. A political question there is
involved and it is complicated deep
ly by religion and race. Hitler and
his minions seek to destroy, first,
the Catholic church and, second,
the Jews.
Somewhat set off by the great
Alps, although woven intricately in
to the whole picture, is another dis
torted and disturbing condition. In
Italy, Mussolini, having most of his
people under his steel boot, is now
preparing for new crusades. He has
ordered all steel producing units
in Italy to increase their produc-
ton to the maximum so that war
material will be available. Musso-
lini wants more territory; he wants
to expand the influence of Fascism
and he wants to build a gigantic
world power in a military way with
Rome as the center and with him
as the head.
Through many years residents of
Washington and visitors to the CAPT.
tai of the nation
Building have gloried in a
for Future greensward h
borders the Poto-
mac river within the District of Co
lunbia. 1t is justly famous park,
made more beautiful by such state
ly structures as the monument to
George Washington and the great
citadel Of beauty erected to the men,
DRY Of Abraham Lincoln. And, to add
to this beauty is the vista across
the river where stands in grandeur
the beautiful home that was the
residence of Robert E. Lee-main-
tanning throughout the years the
respect that nation has for great
military leader. 1t reposes, or seems
to repose, in peace and quiet as do
the thousands of men who rest in
the hillsides of Arlington National
cemetery.
In this peaceful setting for ten
days, more than twenty-six thou
sand boys-the leaders of the fu-
ture-were congregated in a Ma
tional Jamboree of the Boy Scouts
Of America. Tents were everywhere.
Uncounted boys in the khaki shorts,
which is their uniform, fitted about
the city or held various maneuvers
or staged dramas of the ages in a
great arena. Among them was a
sprinkling, and the number was not
more than a sprinkling compared to
the boys, Of the scoutmasters and
mature men who constitute the lead
ership of this great army of youth.
I hope may be forgiven for inter-
jecting here an expression of my
personal feelings. It has been my
lot to work hard from the time l
put off swaddling clothes. The work
I have done and the experiences I
have met had tendency to make
me callous, somewhat cynical. But
I must confess that on half dozen
occasions as / wandered through
this tented city, I gave thought to
my own boyhood and to two boys
for whom am responsible, felt
a swelling of pride, a satisfaction
Of heart, that ! live in a nation
which has given me the right to
liberty and progress.
Moreover, there came to me the
thoughts Of the future Of my own
two boys and the millions of others
just like them future leaders of a
nation that holds forth such POSSIBLE
tiles as are best evidenced by the
encampment Of those twenty-six
thousand then within the range
Of my vision.
Then, no tribute to these future
leaders of our nation and to the
Tr;h,,,. nation which bred
0ue them can or win
to West be complete with
out mention of
DR.. James r.. West. Chief Scout