Evening star., 1937-07-01
SKIES ARE SHAKEN
AS SCOUTS CHEER
25,000- Voice Demonstra'
tion of MaSSed Jamboree
Troops Thunders.

MaSSeG tOSether Tor the nrSt time,
more than $4,000 Boy Scouts assem-
bled here from Is nations last night
gave the Capital something new in the
way of tumultuous demonstrations.
1t was their opening campfire-tra-
ditional symbol of good-fellowship and
jolllflcation among Scouts the world
overland they made the most of the
occasion in a fashion which sent
chills racing up and down the spines
of thousands of Washingtonians who
braved rainy skies to be with the boys
at the first great meeting of their
Today jamboree.
There was message from President
Roosevelt and one from Lord Baden
Powell, chief Scout OF the world, and
there was speech by Attorney Gen
eral Cummings and a campfire story
by Col. Theodore Roosevelt Any one
Of these ordinarily would have created
an outstanding affair. But when 25,-
900 youthful, lusty voices rose in a
cheer which had all the solidness and
elemental power of one of those
peals of thunder which seems to roll
around the whole sky, everything else
seemed to pale in significance.
Greatest Cheer for DR.. West.
The first and mightiest cheer of
the evening came for DR.. West. chief
Scout of America. 1t was led by
Morale Officer Oscar Kirkham, who
called on the uniformed boys from
everywhere to give the gray-haired
veteran Scout leader "a thrill" And
If West didn't get one of the thrills
Of long life spent among boys, he
was wooden Indian. Later the boys
just about eQualed their pioneer
effort when some 400 visiting Scouts
from "a foreign nations were called to
their feet and Kirkham led American
boys from every nook and corner of
the land in a cheer for world brother
hood"
And then there was massed singing
which would have raised any roof, but
the roof Of rain clouds which so far
has lowered over the jamboree without
interruption.
In the absence Of the President,
his message to the Scouts was read
by Attorney General Cummings, who
was requested by the President to
participate in the campfire program.
Praises Self Reliance.
The President, honorary president
OF the Boy Scouts Of America, ad-
dressed his message, Fellow Scouts"
and said:
The impressions which you will
carry back to your homes will, hope,
be permanent influence in your
lives" the President said, for sooner
than We who are older realize, you
will assume the full responsibilities
of citizenship. I firmly believe that
few influences are more helpful in
teaching self-reliance than is the
influence which surrounds the young
sters enrolled in the Boy Scouts-and
preliminary training in self-reliance
Is surely an invaluable asset to those
who few years hence will assume
all the duties and responsibilities of
American citizenship.
Il have often expressed the con-
viction that there are many thousands
of men throughout our country who
are better citizens today because in
boyhood they had enjoyed affliation
with the Boy Scouts. And so I like
to think that the ideals of Scouting
are not simply ideals for boys Honor,
honesty, straightforward dealing and
q spirit Of helpfulness toward others
are ideals for men, and there is a
better prospect that we shall find
these characteristics in the men of
the future If they are inculcated in
boyhood through membership in the
Boy Scouts.
With these thoughts in my mind,
bid all Scouts a welcome to Wash
ington. trust that your sojourn will
of your rich and varied experiences
here at the seat of Government you
will be better Scouts and more stall
vart citizens in the years to come"
In presenting the message, the At
torney General asked the $4,000
Scouts to seek behind the Washing
ton scenes the symbols for which it
stands. He told them to try to catch
the spirit which inspired the Wash
Lincoln Memorial the resolve ito do
your part in the emancipations yet
to come"
I'VE are continuously working out
a civilization" he said. You share
It, You will improve upon it, That
is the undimmed glory of youth. That
Is the challenge of our times"
Great Army Of Peace Seen.
Lord Baden-PoWell's message read
by Dick Foster, chief of the British
delegation Of SIS Scouts, characterized
the Scouts as "a great army for
peace
Remember" he said, you are all
brothers in the one great family of
Scouts. Remember, too, that in a few
years you Will be the men of your
dlferent countries; and if the men
are friends, war between them be-
comes impossible"
From 780 troop camps, the boys
marched into their arena just north
OF the Monument, led by scores of
Scout bands Thousands of flags flut-
tered above the mass.
DR.. West. presiding, introduced
Commissioner George E. Allen, chair
man OF the local Committee on Ar
rangements, who expressed the view
OF all present when he told the Scouts
I'VE in Washington are used to un-
usual events, but this is one of the
most unusual I have ever seen"
National Scout President Head
echoed the theme. This is the out
standing event in the history of Scout
ing in America" he said.
Colorado Scouts in war paint and
feathers staged a variety of Indian
ceremonial dances to the throbbinp of
tom-toms. and Scout band and
hugle corps from Racine, Wis, con-
tributed musical program which led
to such a massed shouting of 1--WE
want more" that progress of the pro-
gram WAS mOmenta rilv threatapad