The Tribune

Noteworthy Birthday Observance

We salute the Boy Scouts of America on its 45th
birthday, now being
observed during Boy Scout Week,
February 6 to 12.

Since its founding in 1910, the organization has en-
riched the lives of over 22,750,000 boys and adult leaders
Truly Scouting represents
a
living crosssection of
American life.

Boys of every race, religion and economic background
are attracted to scouting. Today we find 2,700,000 boys
in its ranks. Add to that impressive figure the 960,000
adults of good character who give generously of their time
and talents to serve as leaders of units, Merit Badge
Counselors and in many other capacities. There is hard-
ly an American family that has not felt its influence.

Dr. Arthur A. Schuck, the Chief Scout Executive, a
leader in the organization since 1913, feels that it is of
vital importance to train the boys of today to be ready
for positions of leadership as they grow to manhood.

"Strong character, participating citizenship and phys
ical fitness," he says, are needs of our boys and young
men who are served by the program of Scouting in co.
operation with the home, the school, the church and all
other community institutions actively interested in train-
ing our future citizens."

Scouting's purpose, stated in the Federal Charter grant
ed by Congress in 1916, is to promote the "ability of
boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them
in Scoutcraft and to teach them patriotism. courage, self.
reliance and kindred virtues."

Every member of the nation's 95,000 Scouting Unit
is indeed "having some kind of experience that is adding
to his equipment to meet the problems of adult life." It is
that training that we heartily endorse on this noteworth
birthday.