Scouting, Volume 1, Number 1, April 15, 1913 Page: 6
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SCOUTING.
REORGANIZATION OF THE SCOUT SUPPLY
DEPARTMENT.
Suggestions on Equipment are Sought by the Enlarged Committee.
The Scout Supply Department at
National Headquarters will be reor-
ganized and enlarged in the next
month. With that aim in view, the
Committee on Scout Supplies was in-
creased last week so that it now con-
sists of expert merchandise men,
Scout executives and workers among
boys. The committee is seeking to
make it possible for Scouts and their
leaders to purchase at the lowest pos-
sible price through Headquarters
everything they may need for scout-
ing. All the official equipment now
obtainable will be reconsidered with
the aim of gaining better quality if
possible, and a catalogue will be com-
piled showing prices of everything
that a Scout may need. In this work
of enlarging the supply department
the committee desires to hear sug-
gestions from Scout Masters and
others.
From the first there has been a de-
mand, which has steadily increased,
for official Scout supplies and equip-
ment of standard designs issued with
the approval of the National Head-
quarters. National Headquarters has
recognized these needs and has been
successful in safeguarding the Boy
Scouts of America from inferior ma-
terial in such equipment as has been
adopted. Arrangements were early
made for the manufacture and sale
at low cost of an official uniform, axe,
knife and other minor equipment.
The point has now been reached
where there is need for the establish-
ment at National Headquarters of a
more extensive scout supply depart-
ment which will furnish everything
which a boy may desire to further
his enjoyment and benefit from scout
programmes. Scouts who are inter-
ested in working for the various merit
badges sometimes find that they wish
special equipment perhaps not easily
obtainable where they live.
To this end the Executive Com-
mittee of the National Council has
given its approval to the creation of
an enlarged Scout Supply Depart-
ment and has delegated of its num-
ber to serve as representatives 011 a
Committee on Scout Supplies, Messrs.
George D. Pratt, Treasurer of the
National Council, Lee F. Hanmer and
Frank Presbrey. In addition to these
gentlemen the Committee comprises
the following: Mr. A. C. Penn, A. C.
Penn, Inc.; Mr. R. P. Sniffen, Eastern
Representative of Sears, Roebuck &
Co.; Mr. C. M. Connolly, Scout Com-
missioner, Troy, N. Y., Advertising
and Sales Manager, Cluett, Peabody
Co.; Mr. E. M. Weber, Merchandise
Manager of Butler Brothers, Scout
Master, East Orange, N. J.; Captain
J. van Beuren Mitchell, Scout Com-
missioner, Morristown, N. J.; Mr. A.
C. Stewart, Deputy Scout Commis-
sioner, New York City; Mr. Colin H.
Livingstone, President, Boy Scouts of
America; Mr. James E. West, Chief
Scout Executive; and Mr. Frederick
N. Cooke, Jr., Secretary.
The committee earnestly seeks cor-
respondence and suggestions as to
new equipment desired by Scouts, or
any criticism of that now in use. In
each case be sure to give specific sug-
gestions. It is essential that such
recommendations be presented as
early as possible to the secretary, Mr.
Frederick N. Cooke, Jr.
The following extract from a letter
just received is reproduced here to
show the type of definite, construc-
tive criticism which is sought:
Will you kindly place the follow-
ing points before the new Commit-
tee on Uniforms and Equipment?:
Breeches: That the buckle be
taken off the back—that they be
cut off at the fourth hole below the
knee; that the manufacturer be re-
quested to make smaller sizes, as
his 12-year-old sizes are altogether
too big for a boy of that age.
Shorts: That these be made on
the English model, to conform to
the shape of the leg, and not to be
made like track shorts. They should
be a little bit longer, so as to just
come to the top of the knee, and
be more shapely.
Shirts: That we discard the pres-
ent shirt, as it is impractical and
unhealthy, and that in its place we
adopt the flannel shirt of the same
color, without pocket and without
collar, opening at the neck, so that
a boy could wear a bandanna hand-
kerchief.
Leggings: That the leggings be
discarded and that in their place we
use footless golf hose, with colored
stripes at the top to designate pa-
trols or troops, and that with these
footless stockings boys be requested
to wear white socks. The stockings
would be kept up by garters.
Knapsacks: That we adopt the
English model. Our present knap-
sack is no good.
Coats: That the coats be made
more simply, and fit better; that
the two upper pockets be dropped
off and that the collar be made a
stiff single standing collar, to close
with two hooks and eyes.
Hats: That we adopt the new low
crown, stiff brimmed hat.
Cooking Kits: That we adopt the
U. S. Infantry cooking kit, which
consists of frying pan and dish,
closing up. In this you can place
knife, fork and spoon. In addition
to this the boy can carry a tin cup
and a tin pail in which to boil water.
This gives them an entire cooking
kit at a cost that would be under 50
cents.
Belts: That we have a fabric belt
instead of a leather belt, with the
Boy Scout device on the buckle.
General: I would not alter the
general appearance of the uniform
for two reasons: First, we must pro-
tect the vested interests of the boys;
secondly, it has already become the
trade-mark of the Scout, and there-
fore, so far as the hat with the
dented crown and stiff brim, khaki-
colored uniform, etc., are concerned,
I would stick to them, as they have
already created a good trade-mark
value, if I may use the term.
Mr. Moffat's Itinerary.
Samuel A. Moffat, National Field
Scout Commissioner, is nearing the
end of his western trip. His itiner-
ary for the next two weeks and the
persons through whom he may be
reached in the various towns follow:
St. Cloud, Minn., Geo. E. Daven-
port, Scout Master, 314 4th Avenue,
S., April 16.
Duluth, Minn., Ray H. Herrick,
Scout Master, 1828 East 5th Street,
April 18.
St. Paul, Minn., J. A. Wauchope,
Scout Commissioner, 639 Endicott
Bldg., April 21.
Minneapolis, Minn., C. W. Hadden,
Scout Commissioner, Y. M. C. A.,
April 23.
Sioux City, Iowa, E. C. Wolcott,
Scout Commissioner, Y. M. C. A.,
April 25.
Omiaha, Nebraska, E. D. Gepson,
Scout Commissioner, 507 City Hall,
April 26.
Kansas City, Mo., A. J. Watson,
Scout Commissioner, 1322 Commerce
Building, April 29.
Fort Leavenworth, Kan., O. W.
Foberg, Sec. Y. M. C. A., May 1.
St. Louis, Mo., H. H. Simmons,
1007 Chemical Building, May 3.
Chicago, 111., E. A. Halsey, 425 N.
Y. Life Building, May 5.
Cincinnati, O., Starbuck Smith, 506
St. Paul Bldg., May 8.
Itinerary of the Red Cross First
Aid Car.
NEARLY every Scout is especially
interested in First Aid work, and
realizing this, we have been able
through the kindness of the American
Red Cross Society, to do much to en-
courage boys to take up this work.
Scout Masters all over the country
have been receiving notice from time to
time that the Red Cross car would be
near or in their city on a certain day, and
that the authorities of the Red Cross
Society would be glad to have them visit
it.
Headquarters has just been advised
that Red Cross car number one has been
worn out in service, but that it has been
replaced by car number three which will
start from Buffalo on a ten days' or two
weeks' tour. The schedule of the car
has not yet been received.
Car number two is in charge of Dr.
William T. Davis, and is scheduled as
follows:
Arrive Depart
Eckman, W. Va., April 14 April 16
Williamson, W. Va., " 16 " 18
Kenova, W. Va., " 18 " 20
Ironton, Ohio, " 20 " 22
Portsmouth, Ohio, " 22 " 24
Chillicothe, Ohio, " 24 " 26
Circleville, Ohio, " 26 " 28
Columbus, Ohio, " 28 " 30
Cincinnati, Ohio, " 30 May 3
It is hoped all Scout Masters will take
advantage of this splendid opportunity.
/
It will do much to make things run
more smoothly at National Headquar-
ters if Scout Masters, when moving from
one city to another will promptly
notify us. It is hoped that Scout
Commissioners will co-operate with
us in this matter.
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 1, Number 1, April 15, 1913, periodical, April 13, 1913; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282629/m1/6/?rotate=90: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.