Scouting, Volume 4, Number 8, August 15, 1916 Page: 7
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SCOUTING.
HEADQUARTERS CORRESPONDENCE ON QUESTIONS OF POLICY
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J
IN the course of correspondence between
Scout Commissioner Frailey, of Youngs-
town, Ohio, and Chief Scout Executive
James E. West, concerning the raising of
troop funds in a way which involved the
use of the name "Boy Scouts" in a com-
mercial sense, the matter was presented by
Mr. hrailey in the following letter:
My dear Mr. West:
I have your recent letter and thank you for
giving me credit for willingness in changing our
flan where it conflicts with your scout resolutions,
have been working on this plan for something
over six months, originally outlining it with a
hope that it would furnish the scoutmasters a
solution for the problem which they all have con-
fronting them—that of financing troop activities.
The plan seemed so good, however, that VV. & H.
Walker asked me to take charge of the advertising
and sales of it and it is only recently that I
knew of Headquarters' attitude toward similar
enterprises, it having come to my attention in the
last few weeks that even the Saturday Evening
Post plan, which, in my opinion, could not possibly
have a legitimate objection, had been condemned
by National Headquarters.
Of course, I can see the evil that might result
from many companies taking advantage of the boy
scout organization to market their products and, as
I have said, I do not wish to do anything that
will conflict with scout policies.
However, I am a scoutmaster. I find that with
my troop, as with every other organization with
which I have ever been connected, it is necessary
to have troop funds greater than can possibly be
provided by regular dues. Now, of course, it is
against Headquarters' policy also for a troop
even to accept a voluntary contribution from in-
terested people, and I think that such contributions
are wrong because of the effect it would have
upon the boys. Also, ordinarily, lawn fetes and
various things of that kind do not provide enough
money and cannot be repeated often enough to
be a regular source of income, such as a troop does
need. It is for this reason that it seems to me
very proper for a troop to have a definite contract
with some one to render a service for which they
will be paid. In this connection, I have noted
in various issues of Scouting, scout troops have
delivered telephone books and that sort of thing,
but it seems to me of even more benefit to the
boy for him to sell goods, for this will teach him
early the various elements of salesmanship.
i'now, if th.s sort of an arrangement for perma-
nent income is not allowed by Headquarters, I
would like to know as a scoutmaster what arrange-
ments are allowed, because I find it necessary
wuh my troojj to provide a definite income of
considerable size to accomplish anything and I
want to be able to do this.
You referred to the packages in which the
Walker goods are packed. Might I call your
attention also to such packages as are used by
"Scout Gum" and the "Seneca Scout Camera"
which use the word "scout" and a picture of a
scout. I see these are still on the market and,
therefore, suppose that you have either taken no
action against them or under the provision of the
patent office that the word "scout" cannot be
copyrighted so you are unable to proceed against
them.
I am going to ask you to say definitely in a
paragraph exactly what our proposition must not
do; in this particular connection, will you advise
if there is no way at all in which a troop, as a
troop, may take up representation of some such
proposition as ours?
Thanking you for your very courteous letter and
looking forward to hearing from you soon, I am
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) P. L. Frailey.
The reply from Mr. West follows:
My dear Mr. Frailey:
I am glad that you understand our point of
view and apparently are willing to accept the same.
I think you are quite right about lawn fetes and
any other form of entertainment or effort to raise
funds which brings about a condition where boys
are encouraged to solicit or beg.
While, ordinarily, contributions should not be
solicited for troop expenses, there are some cir-
cumstances under which they are quite proper,
provided the contributions come from the right
people, that is, from the organization with which
the troop is connected or others who legitimately
have a right to show an interest in the work of
the troop.
Personally I believe very much in the value of
training in salesmanship. W e believe in having
boys work to earn money wherever possible.
As the resolution of the Executive Board dis-
tinctly states, it was not intended to discourage
sales by individual boys.
I believe it is perfectly proper for you as a
scoutmaster to encourage your boys to engage in
some method of earning money and I think you
will do them a great service to insist upon them
making arrangements individually and not depend
upon you as the scoutmaster to do this for them.
I appreciate very much your bringing to my at-
tention the fact that there is on the market a
"Scout Gun" and other articles in which the word
"scout" appears.
I am enclosing a copy of the Federal Incorpora-
tion law which was signed by President Wilson
on June IS. You may be assured that we are
going to do everything in our power now that this
law has become effective, to bring to an end the
misuse of the word "scout" or any other descriptive
words which are used simply for the purpose of
utilizing a value which we have created.
We believe that under the existing law we
could fully protect ourselves, as certainly no court
of equity would allow the misuse of these words
for commercial purposes.
I regret very much that we must ask you and
those associated with you to destroy all printed
matter in which the word "scout" appears. If
you wish to advertise the articles in which you
are interested as for sale by boys individually, we
will be glad to look over any copy which is
submitted to us for Boys' Life. An appeal must
be made to the boy individually and not to troop
organizations.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) Jamfs E. West,
Chief Scout Executive.
<
CARE IN ORDERING SUPPLIES
FACILITATES EARLY SHIPMENT
The Supply Department is frequently
placed in an embarrassing position through
the receipt of orders for uniforms or other
official equipment which have been properly
signed by a scoutmaster in good standing,
but which either lack the name of the scout
for whom they are intended or else mention
a name which is not to be found on the
records of the troop at National Head-
quarters.
In the upper left hand corner of the de-
partment's order blanks is a notice in large
type calling attention to the fact that orders
for badges or other equipment restricted to
the use of scouts must contain the names
of the boys, so that it may be determined
whether they are in good standing and en-
titled to receive the supplies. Every cata-
log of the Supply Department also displays
this notice prominently. In spite of these
warnings, this requirement is all too fre-
quently ignored and the Department of
Equipment and Supplies is faced with the
dilemma of deciding whether to refuse to
ship the goods, or, to send them to the
scoutmaster with a letter advising him
either that lie has omitted to give us the
boys' names or that he is apparently or-
dering supplies for boys not registered as
scouts. The department has perhaps been
too lenient in making, shipments under these
conditions with a desire to avoid disap-
pointment and inconvenience to the boys
for whom the supplies are ordered. Cer-
tainly, the number of instances have greatly
multiplied in which scout officials have been
at fault in this respect.
The provisions of the new army bill im-
pose an added duty upon National Head-
quarters of making absolutely certain that
the official uniform of this organization is
not worn except by buna fide members. The
only reliable test which can be applied is
registration at this office. This will make
it more essential than ever that this de-
partment exercise utmost discretion in deal-
ing with orders for uniforms which do not
clearly indicate that they are intended for
scouts or officials who are registered in
good standing at the time their order is
placed. Further co-operation by leaders
will prevent disappointment to their boys
occasioned by this necessity for greater
strictness in the sale of official supplies and
equipment.
Missing Scout Comes Home
Word has been received from the Chi-
cago headquarters that Scout John Ter-
rell, Troop 75, of that city, who had been
missing from his home for some time, has
returned. His scoutmaster and parents
wish to express their appreciation of the
efforts put forth by scouts throughout the
country to assist in locating him. Notices
appeared in August Boys' Life and also
in the July 1 issue of Scouting with the
suggestion that scouts aid in the search.
Save the Boy's Money
The Supply Department at Na-
tional Headquarters Will
Help You Do It.
When you or your scouts desire
to purchase troop or camp equip-
ment, don't forget that the purchas-
ing power of the National office of
the Boy Scouts of America enables
the Supply Department at National
Headquarters, 200 Fifth Avenue,
New York City, to save you, or
them, from ten to thirty percent in
many instances.
Obtain Estimates.
See for Yourself.
ATLANTA BOY SCOUT DISAPPEARS;
$100 OFFERED FOR NEWS OF HIM
Strenuous efforts are being put forth by
the boy scouts and the police of Atlanta,
Ga., and vicinity to locate Scout John
Wurm, who disappeared from the plant of
the Atlantic Steel Company on Sunday
night, July 23, 1916.
His description is given as follows:—
Tall, thin young man with dark, smooth
complexion, dark straight brown hair cut
short and large dark gray eyes, eighteen
years old; is five feet ten inches and weighs
130 lbs. Dressed in blue jean mechanic's
shirt and dark blue trousers; coat of dark
gray and black mixed goods. Old gray
cap. He had had an operation for mas-
toiditis and behind his left ear is a scar.
A reward of $100.00 is offered for in-
formation leading to the finding of Scout
Wurm. He held the position of .night
timekeeper of the Atlantic Steel Company
at the time of his disappearance. Any in-
formation should be wired immediately to
Thomas K. Glenn, President of that com-
pany, Atlanta, Ga.
Have You Seen This Scout?
National Headquarters has been advised
by the Rev. Harry L: Canfield, a member
of the Troop Committee of Troop 1, Wood-
stock, Vermont, that Scout Edward Webler,
of that troop, disappeared on July 11th
and no word has been received of him
since.
Scout Webler is 15 years old and is de-
scribed as a boy large of his age, of stocky
build, with blue eyes, brown hair and a
scar from a cut over the right eye. He
has always been a dependable boy, indus-
trious and of good habits.
Any information about him should be
sent to the father, Mr. Byron M. Webler,
Woodstock, Vt.
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 4, Number 8, August 15, 1916, periodical, August 15, 1916; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282826/m1/7/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.