Evening star., 1949-11-06
Pro and Con ON Support
OF Boy Scouts by Community Chest

Pro and Con ON Support
OF Boy Scouts by Community Chest
TO the Editor Of The Star:
In the letter Of Franklin T. Miles published
by you on November /. Mr. Miles asks why
the Boy Scouts Of America Is included in the
Community Chest tsf7fa 7HEser 80
The Boy Scout Council helped organize
the Washington Community Chest in 1929
as the instrument to raise money for the
social and welfare organizations Of this COM
munity and has always been in the Com
munity Chest since its organization.
The maintenance Of Boy Scout organiza-
ton Is one Of the community's social needs.
The community, through the Chest, Is asked
only to support the council organization
necessary to train and supervise the numerous
volunteer leaders and to assist churches,
schools and clubs to organize Boy Scout
troops and Cub packs. At. the present time
the local organization consists Of only ten
paid professional Scout leaders. There should
be more.
Furthermore, scouting costs lot more than
the money supplied through the Community
Chest. In addition to the Community Chest
funds, all Of which are used In the opera
ton OF the local council many hours Of
service are contributed by the 1000 volunteer
adults who are the actual day-by- day leaders
Capital Area Council. This contribution Of
time and effort has been estimated to be
the equivalent Of q million dollar pay roll
and cheerfully Is supplied free Of charge.
A boy pays only nominal dues to his troop.
. national registration fee. also nominal,
and buys his badges and his uniforms.
Obviously. the boy benefits from his Scout
training, but the neighborhood and commu-
nifty benefit even more, because Of these
Scout-trained boys. The goal Of the Boy
Scout Council is to provide an opportunity
for any and all boys to become Scouts. With
sufficient community support through the
Community Chest this goal is attainable.
Let's meet the boys half way.
RICHARD E. STANDS,
President, National Capital Area Council.
Boy Scouts Of America.
To the Editor Of The star
In reference to your editors note under
letter from Franklin T. Miles in the issue
Of November !, may I try to clear up a
possible misunderstanding on your part?
Obviously you called up the Boy Scout head
quarters for your information. and printed
what they told you.
This issue Is regarding the support Of the
Boy Scout organization by the Community
Chest, which. Of course, is true But the
manner In which YOU interpret this aid is
incorrect
/ You state. ''The Chest contributes part
OF the 0ver-all cost 50 that boys who cannot
afford the full expense Of membership will
be able to obtain the benefits Of Scout
: training"
This is absolutely misleading. The dues
are, or were several years ago, so cents q
year for each and every boy. This Is, as far
rs know land was Scout and Scouter
In the National Capital Area Council for Is
years., the only expense that / ever heard Of
The boy may buy uniform, handbook
and various other tools OF the trade, but
many dod't. and there is no compulsion
to do so. The Scoutmaster, his assistants
and members Of the Troop Committee all
serve without charge. In fact, IL costs them
lot each year to be In their respective
positions they themselves have to pay dues.
buy uniforms. afford transportation to Scout
meetings and camporees and other functions.
and use up lot Of their time and effort.
hold q ten-year-veteran card Ia the BSA,
Scoutmaster,s card and an Eagle Scout pin,
which Is the highest award In scouting. 50 ]
claim the right to criticize where necessary.
RICHARD EVERETT LEE.
Pennsylvania Credited
with Two Democratic Governors
70 the Editor Of Ths Star:
In your account Of the visit and speech
Of sr0om-to-be Vice President Dear Alhen"
Barkley before the washington tPa.l Demo-
Gratis, II was mentioned that: "PennSyl-
vania has had only due Democratic Governor
aircA the Civil War =,