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The Jamboree Journal

 

June 30, 1937

Subscriptions Available. Eleven Issues for Fifty Cents.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT INVITES BOY SCOUTS TO THE NATIONAL JAMBOREE, JUNE 30 TO JULY 9, 1937, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Fellow Scouts: Today we are celebrating our twenty-seventh anniversary. From one end of the country to another we are taking stock of what has been accomplished during all these years and paying a deeply felt and well deserved tribute to the ideals of Scouting.

Hail! Hail! Scouting Spirit, Best in the Land!

Hail! Hail! Scouting Spirit, Loyal We Stand!

A CRUSADE OF YOUTH CAPTURES WASHINGTON

Never until now has the United States seen a juvenile mass migration comparable to the famed crusade of the thirteenth century.

10 miles of piping brings a million gallons of water to the 350-acre encampment that stretches from the Washington Monument to Arlington Park.

UNITY IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS

What is Scouting? Scouting is the process of making real men out of real boys. It ensures good citizenship. The Boy Scout Movement healthfully and sanely offsets the disadvantages which civilization has caused.

The Boy Scouts want to help boys, upon leaving school, escape the evils of “blind alley” occupations; that is, such work that gives a boy a mere wage for the moment, but leaves him stranded without any trade or handicraft to pursue when he is a man, and so send him as a recruit to the great army of the unemployed, and what is worse, the unemployable.

700,000 Juvenile Delinquents in America

DEMOCRACY AGAINST THE CHALLENGE OF DICTATORSHIP

The Scouting Movement is not military in thought, form, or spirit. The uniform, the patrol, the troop, and the drill are not military tactics; they are for unity and harmony, and developing the spirit that the boys learn in Scouting.

Prevention is recognized as better and less expensive than the cure. The Boy Scout Movement takes boys at that time of life when they are beset with the new and bewildering experiences of adolescence and diverts their thoughts to wholesome and worthwhile activities. Our character building movement has done much in many cities to diminish the problem of juvenile delinquency.

Not one penny of Federal money, of any sort, has been made available. This entire affair is financed by the 25,000 Scouts and Scouters in attendance.

CORNHUSKER SYSTEM PARCELS OUT SCOUT CASH

“It is a regulated system of spending, based on sound banking policy, to aide boys in wisely appropriating their money for the entire period of their stay away from home. Each Scout is issued an account book and may spend no more that two dollars per day.”

7:00, Reveille. 7:45, Breakfast. 12:30, Lunch. 18:00, Dinner. 20:30, Campfires. 22:00, Taps.

Scouts can attend lectures describing how Social Security works and watch films documenting the construction of the Boulder Damn.

10,000 tents. 200 tons of food daily. 1000 refrigerator units. 25,000 quarts of milk. 70,000 eggs for breakfast. 100,000 flapjacks. 15,000 pounds of meat. 4000 pounds of sugar and butter. 2000 garbage cans.

 We Are Prepared.

Hail! Hail! Scouting Spirit.

Hail! Hail! Hail!

July 1, 1937

Do a Good Turn Daily

FORD LENDS DETROITERS AUTO FOR JAMBOREE USE

A scout from Cleveland was injured by a buzz saw prior to leaving for the Jamboree. He severed two tendons but made the trip despite his injury.

OPENING CEREMONY ATTENDANCE TOPS 26,000

While storm clouds gather far across the sea

Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free

Let’s all be grateful for a land so fair

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

More than three thousand scouts formed a human flag at the base of the Washington Monument.

COLONEL ROOSEVELT RAISES A RIOT OF LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

A campfire is an opportunity for storytelling and having a good time, but it is an occasion for serious reflection as well. Colonel Roosevelt, eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt, concluded the evening with a few important words of advice,

“You are going to run into a lot of people who will try to persuade you that wrong is right, who will tell you that there is going to be a brave new world where all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins. They are lying. The rights and wrongs have been the same for two thousand years. Decency will always be decency, and everyone of us here knows what is right and what is wrong. Scouting braces us, it stiffens our backbone so we will stand up and do what is right.”

From the mountains, to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam,

EYES AND EARS TUNED TO WASHINGTON

Correspondents from Time, Life, and the New Yorker magazines are covering the event, in addition to newspaper reporters from seventy-three American cities. Broadcasters, including CBS and NBC, will provide daily radio coverage for the duration of the event. The curiosity and anticipation surrounding the Jamboree suggests that the Scouting Movement has become a very real and tangible part of our national life.

Hardware to Swap: 100 skillets, coals shovels, and spoons.

Arkansas Scouts trade cottonseed.

God Bless America, my home sweet home,

God Bless America, my home sweet home.

FIRE BURNS ALWAYS AT MEDICINE MAN’S SIOUX VILLAGE

Very few scouts gathered here at the Jamboree would know the location of the Brule Sioux Indian Village if asked. The truth of the situation is that it is well isolated from the rest of the contingents. You will find it at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 17th Street.

The first person you’ll meet there is Mr. Ralph Hubbarb. He is one of the best-known Indian lore experts and showmen in the country. Year after year he has gone to different Indian reservations and danced with their tribesmen to learn more perfectly their dances.

Before the end of the week, Mr. Hubbarb hopes to train 500 Indian dancers. The Sioux Village contains 150 chief headdresses, costumes for 300 scouts, and enough gallons of paint to make any boy look like a red skin.

PHILIPINE LEPER SCOUTS SEND JAMBOREE GREETINGS

“Even though personal contact is impossible, we are proud this sad fate of ours is not a hindrance in our ability to render service to the community.”

Homeruns by Joe DiMaggio and Tony Lazzeri enabled the New York Yankees to nose out the Washington Senators, 5-4.

FDR TO PITCH

President Roosevelt will throw out the first ball Wednesday at the All-Star Game at Griffith Stadium.

July 2, 1937

Pass Me On to a Friend

If the entire population of Scout City stood shoulder-to-shoulder, the khaki-colored column would stand 32 miles long.

26,223 BOYS STAND AT ATTENTION AS 1634 BANNERS ARE UNFURLED

In General Camp Headquarters, a committee of six men, representing the various executive departments of the Jamboree camp, witnessed the ceremonies and spoke over the air on a 35-station radio hook-up to hundreds of thousands of Scouts and Scouters who are unable to attend the Jamboree.

I love to tell the story

Of unseen things above

Scranton Scouts adorn themselves with coal miner lamps. Portland Scouts identify the City of Roses by painting rose designs on their tents.

I love to tell the story

Because I now tis true

It satisfies my longings

As nothing else can do.

CALIFORNIA SCOUT SAMPLE, 6-FEET-5 AND 250 POUNDS

Standing at 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds, Herbert Allen, of Charter Oak, Calif., and a member of Troop No. 11, Section J, is believed to be one of the largest Eagle Scouts in America. Herbert wears size 14, triple E shoes and, in all, is a very husky Scout. As he went through the Department of Justice, many thought he’d surely become a policeman.

SEE AMERICA AT THE JAMBOREE

Designed to depict the progress of Scouting in the United States, the “Cavalcade of Scouting” will consist of three more evening pageants, presented by Scouts from other regions of the United States. The arena shows will be staged on July 2, 3, and 5. The first was given last night.

I love to tell the story

More wonderful it seems

Than all the golden fancies

Of all our golden dreams.

Scout “specialties” include bullwhip cracking, boxing, lariat spinning, baton spinning, flint and steel fire making, first aide, and pillow fights of course.

HISTORY OF THE U.S. TOLD FROM PILGRIMS’ DAY IN FIRST PAGEANT

“On Dec. 21, 1620, the first party of Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock to combine themselves together into a civil body, for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.”

With these words entered Scouts portraying Gov. William Bradford, Miles Standish, John Alden, a band of Indians, and 400 costumed Pilgrims. All prayed for a moment and departed.

Action—Enter from east and west gates, large party of Puritan men, women, and children to music of an old Protestant hymn, including John Winthrop and party of about 20, the Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont groups. They gather in the center of a field and sit down for preaching by Rev. John Cotton who carries on in pantomime. Later, two Puritan groups of 12 each erect various forms of old Puritan punishments and demonstrate. Standing and sitting stocks. Dunking stool. Cat-of-nine tails. Burning witches, etc.

The Colonization of New England. Spirit of ’76. The Industrialization of New England. New England of Yesterday. New Englanders of Tomorrow.

I love to tell the story

For some have never heard

The message of salvation

From God’s own holy Word.

A colorful “finale of flags” brought the show to a close. Every boy on the field stood at attention and unfurled small flags while the large United States and troop flags were carried on the raised platform and dipped before the President’s box.

100 GATORS ON THE BLOCK AT 20 TOADS APIECE

Sunny Land Council, Troop 15, Section L, just received 100 more gators from their home in Florida for trading purposes. Scoutmaster Yarn said the first batch of 40 traded like hotcakes.

July 3, 1937

Be Prepared

Arizonians bring Navajo rugs. Suffolk County Scouts trade oyster shells.

The youngest Eagle Scout at Tent City is believed to be Vic Kebler. He is 14 years old, stands 4 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 85 pounds.

THOUSANDS JAM ARENA AND SIT OUTDOORS FOR THE CAVALCADE OF SCOUTING

Action—Then comes Ponce de Leon in search of the Fountain of Youth. He, a decrepit old man, finds our primitive natives, trades and travels among them. Beginning with episode #3, he observes through field glasses, from a rustic tower placed at a vantage point, the progress of America as it began in the south, which involves Religion, Education, Industry, Travel, Recreation, and Scouting. With the progress of our land, Ponce de Leon becomes youthfully inspired with each episode.

Push northward.

Etc. Etc.

No. Luck.

THE RALEIGH COLONY

Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,

Old times there are not forgotten.

Sir Walter Raleigh’s Scouting adventure in the United States was depicted in another scene. “Prompted by the urge of adventure and seeking wider opportunities, 107 settlers, directed by Sir Walter, landed on the shores of North Carolina. This Raleigh Colony was eventually lost and later Raleigh lost his head,” the announcer said.

The first steam ship is launched in Savannah.

INTERRACIAL INCLUSION

At Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Brothers demonstrated the successful flight of their air ship.

COTTON FIELD SINGING

Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel

To Dixie Land I’m bound to travel.

The episode climaxed with a loud and enthusiastic burst of patriotism. The entire program was set in a Southern cotton field, and was featured by the singing of a troop of southern Scouts and Scouters.

The scene opened on a little cabin in a cotton field. The powerful Arena floodlights then flashed on a group of old Negroes, who entered the scene. More than 1200 boys from Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama paraded across the field and all performers joined in southern songs.

SCOUTING, THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

The program moved swiftly through southern history until the present when Ponce de Leon became a young man. He was an Eagle Scout on the threshold of citizenship, and joined in the salute of the flag with thousands of other American Scouts.

In Dixie Land I’ll take my stand,

To live and die in Dixie.

W3USA HUNTS SIGNALS OF EARHART PLANE

Coast Guard officials are convinced Amelia Earhart and Captain Fred Noonan, her navigator, have been forced down at sea. They added, however, that the Lockheed aircraft she is flying around the world could float indefinitely on a calm sea.

 July 4, 1937

A Youth Movement Void of Bigotry and Suspicion

Scouts from Yakima, WA., presented a large piece of rare, petrified ginko to President Roosevelt.

RATTLERS IN CAMP

Troop 4, Region 12, Santa Monica, has within its boundaries two live rattlesnakes, one of which is of an unusual red variety. These reptiles may be viewed with perfect safety as they are well enclosed behind wire cages.

4000 SCOUTS JOIN IN THE TELLING OF THE PRAIRIER PIONEERS

The Racine, Wisconsin crack drum and bugle corp. performed a brilliant concert immediately preceding the pageant.

Action—This scene portrays Western VA., as the road over which thousands of emigrants poured into Kentucky and the old Northwest territory, on horseback, on foot, with pack animals, by water, etc., and also portrays the claim of Virginia to all territory laying westward of the Mississippi River.

500 pioneer men, women, and children. 50 colonial citizens. 300 hundred Scouts. 400 Indian Warriors.

How often at night when the heavens are bright

With the light from the glittering stars

Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed

If their glory exceeds that of ours.

THE WEST BEFORE THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN

This scene was one of the most picturesque in the entire pageant. Hundreds of Scouts built a group of pioneering towers and pitched a pattern-work of tents and shelters of every description.

When the pioneer display was finished hundreds of other Scouts surrounded the Arena and put on a skillful display of signaling, wood-chopping, bandaging, and fire by flint and steel.

Afterwards, a beautiful Indian village sprang up on the Arena floor while scores of brilliantly costumed Indians sang and danced in a demonstration personally directed by Ralph Hubbarb.

Action—This scene shows the Ohio Company in action with the opening of a land grant office, making grants to former Revolutionary soldiers. A log stockade, a log house, bridges, etc. are constructed, ending in an old-fashioned “Hoe Down” dance.

THE LARGEST CAST YET TO PERFORM IN THE “CAVALCADE OF SCOUTING”

The Red Man was pressed from this part of the west,

He’s likely no more to return,

To the banks of the Red River, where seldom if ever,

Their flickering campfires burn.

 Paul Bunyan, the mythical lumbering giant, was represented by a group of mammoth articles, reported to have been used by him while in the Middle West.

Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota.

ROMANCE AND HIGH ADVENTURE

A “Jamboree Circus” ensued, with United States flags massed in the center of the field. Marching from the East end to the West end of the Arena, each state made its appearance in solid columns, eight abreast. Following each state flag were famous state characters, such as Daniel Boone, Mark Twain, General Custer, Charles Lindbergh, hillbillies, Ozark mountaineers, miners, farmers, and Indian chiefs.

Action—This scene presents an Indian council fire, a war dance, and a short skirmish with pioneers. Plenty of liveliness and color.

SITDOWNS HELD ILLEGAL

Oh home, home on the Range,

Where the deer and the antelope play,

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,

And the skies are not cloudy all day.

 Francis Perkins, Secretary of Labor, in an open letter declared that sit-down strikes are illegal and “unsuited to the temperaments and conditions of our modern life in this country.”

STORM HALTS HUNT

Chances for the rescue of Amelia Earhart, wife of George Palmer Putnam, an Honorary Scout, and her navigator, Fred Noonan, diminished yesterday when storms turned a Navy boat away from the search, leaving only a Coast Guard cutter to continue its discouraging quest in the South Pacific.

July 5, 1937

Patriotism is not a way of voting. It is a way of living.

161 Years

Visit All of Uncle Sam’s Workshops!

U.S Customs House. U.S Navy Yard. US. Post Office. Department of State. Department of War. Department of Navy. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Internal Revenue Service.

“Rich boys and poor boys meet as equals in the Scout uniform. The khaki shirts give the boys a better chance of self-expression. The uniform is something that reaches fundamentally not into Scouting alone, but into the very heart of the American people.”

THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN SPIRITIAL PLEDGE

The Jamboree’s Grand National Convocation, the purpose of which was to objectify the allegiance of the Boy Scouts to the religious principals which undergrid their national life, was held last night, July 4.

Over 26,000 Scouts and Scouters convened at the base of the Washington Monument in the greatest assembly of youth in the history of the nation.

God of our fathers, known of old

Lord of our far-flung battle-line,

Beneath whose awful Hand we hold

Dominion over palm and pine—

Keep our country from violence, discord, and every evil. Grant to the President of the United States health and prosperity and wisdom to meet his great tasks. To those who guide this great Movement give the abundance of Thy strength and courage and understanding, that the youth of this country may grow in strength and in righteousness.

OUR DEBT TO RELIGION

Rabbi Isreal Goldstein, of the Congregation B’Nai Jershurum, in New York City spoke for the Jewish Committee on Scouting:

The tumult and the shouting dies;

The Captains and the Kings depart:

Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,

An humble and contrite heart.

“The men of 1776 who laid out the pattern of our government might well have expected that by 1937 the whole world would accept as axiomatic and commonplace that which they in their time held to be self-evident truths. Alas, for the world of 1937 that there are still powerful nations who in the mechanical arts belong to the twentieth century but who in the art of political and moral idealism and in the art of achieving peace and brotherhood belong to the dark ages of the past!”

LOYAL CITIZENSHIP, USEFUL CITIZENSHIP

Dr. William C. Covert spoke for the Protestant Committee on Scouting:

Far-called, our navies melt away;

On dune and headlands sinks the fire:

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

“Recall what you have seen in this arena during the past few evenings. The Scout program especially recognizes the courageous moral stamina in the personal life and characters of those who felled our forests, opened our prairies and pushed our frontiers into the Pacific Ocean. These are memories too noble, too heroic, and too essential to our higher national life ever to be forgotten. The courage, the fortitude, the hardships of these pioneers and foundation builders represent moral elements of human character we sorely need presently. We rejoice, therefore, that they play so large a part in the Scout program of today.”

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose

Wild tongues that have not thee in awe,

Such boastings as the Gentiles use,

Or lesser breeds without the Law—

REVERENCE MUST BE RESTORED TO AMERICAN LIFE

Honorable Daniel C. Roper, Secretary of Commerce in President Roosevelt’s Cabinet, brought us a message paying tribute to the religious forces of our national life:

“Someone, sometime ago, asked me if I thought the world was going to get out of this trouble. I said, ‘There is no doubt about our getting out on paper and in treaties, but the point is: Can we stay out?’ The only way in which we can stay out, young men, is to practice the principles for which you stand and which are founded in the virtues taught by religion. We will never be able to stay out of the great conflicts of the world until we practice the creed that you profess, a creed based upon genuine, bona fide religious cooperation among all churches of the world.

When you return to your homes, I ask you to talk your doctrine, spread your doctrine, and save humanity. The practice of your doctrine in worldwide fashion is the only hope of the world. God bless you and God speed you in your great work.”

For heathen heart that puts her trust

In reeking tube and iron shard,

All valiant dust that builds on dust,

And guarding, calls not thee to guard

For frantic boast and foolish word—

The ceremonies were concluded at 8:45 p.m.

“America, the Beautiful.” “Anchors Away.” “The Star Spangled Banner.” “Taps.”

Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!

 ENGLAND WARNS

British leaders reminded a tense Europe yesterday that Britain is rearming to compel respect for her rights and interests and that violation of the territorial integrity of Spain and free access to the Mediterranean, included in those interests, would not be tolerated.

 July 6, 1937

Be an Empire Builder

HOOSIER SCOUT DISTRUBS REFLECTION OF MEMORIAL

An unusual privilege was afforded Scott Jimmy Blackmare, White River Council, Bloomington. The privilege was a swim in the mirror pool by the Lincoln Memorial. While riding a two-wheeled steed, he was unceremoniously dumped into this beautiful body of water—bicycle and all.

Regional executives emphasized high camp morale. “There has been little sickness and very few accidents.”

PAGEANT OF THE WEST FROM PIONEER TIMES CONCLUDES THE CAVALCADE

The National Jamboree’s “Cavalcade of Scouting” was brought to a brilliant conclusion in the Washington Monument Arena last night when more than 4000 scouts retold the settlement of the West in the final show of the series.

Introductory Theme—“Westward Ho” has been the mystic expression that has challenged the courageous ones who would build a physical empire where “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” would be guaranteed to every citizen and has intrigued adventurous youth from the time of the sailing of Columbus to the present moment.

OKLAHOMA RUN

An important feature of the program was the huge camping and pioneering scene in which the Arena was filled with covered wagons, teepees, log cabins, towers, Indians and Cowboys, and 2500 Scouts making it look like a ten-ring circus.

Another scene began as a terrific explosion rent the air, and the field was strewn with injured persons, whereupon Scout first-aide crews rushed onto the field, showing what they would have done had a catastrophe such as this occurred today.

INDIANS AND COWBOYS FIGHT TO THE DEATH OVER A WAGON TRAIN

Some of them even shot six-shooters loaded with blanks as they circled the Arena. More of the Texas cowboys staged an Indian skirmish, which was immediately followed by groups of whip-crackers and rope-spinners “doing their stuff.”

Action—Then came the first great march of the covered wagons when the Mormons first trekked into the fertile lands above the Great Salt Lake, and there in spite of untold hardships wrought another empire, and another culture, but the stream of pioneers, with all their earthly good, continued to follow the sun into the West.

One of the outstanding scenes of this episode was an Indian dance, with more than 100 Indians from Idaho and Oregon participating. Indians in costume entered from the west gate and built flint and steel fires on the Arena floor.

“Those ferocious first inhabitants of the southwest did not easily yield their hunting grounds to the encroaching civilization, but they left and still maintain a beauty of design, symmetry, and dance that few civilizations have excelled.”

Montana. Idaho. New Mexico. Arizona. Texas. Oklahoma. Utah. Nevada. Colorado. Wyoming. California. Oregon. Washington.

Action—The Indians of Arizona give us examples of their dance, which is interrupted by the landing of Sir Francis Drake, quickly followed by the march of Spanish conquistadors from Mexico and fur traders from the Rocky Mountains.

SETTLEMENT OF THE NORTHWEST

Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark, historic explorers of the Northwest Territory, were portrayed in a short description of their journeys along the Pacific coast.

Captain Lewis said, “Friends, it is pleasant for me to be here with you tonight. A century has passed since I first beheld the great Northwest. I call to you, now, to witness with me the change that is coming.”

In the final episode, the fertile valleys of the inland states are developed and become populated, challenging the westward march. A new empire is thus built, out of which arises Scouting.

By the blazing council fire’s light, we have met in comradeship tonight,

Round about the whispering trees, guard our golden memories,

And so before we close our eyes in sleep

Let us pledge each other that we’ll keep

Scouting friendships strong and deep,

Until we meet again.

 The President would not comment on a recent speech delivered by Labor Secretary Francis Perkins. An ash from the President’s cigarette fell on his chin. He brushed it away and continued smoking.

June 9, 1937

Combating the Boy Problem

FAMOUS ROOSEVELT SMILE BEAMS ON THE BOY SCOUTS

A 22-minute drive along Constitution Avenue yesterday by President Roosevelt etched the thrill of a lifetime into the hearts of 26,000 khaki-clad Boy Scouts, participating in the Grand National Review, one of the outstanding features of the 10-day Jamboree, which ends today.

Two miles of Boy Scouts, facing each other on the heat-blistered roadway, eight deep, roared wildly when the screeching sirens of motorcycle police heralded the arrival of President Roosevelt, Honorary President of the Boy Scouts, and his White House entourage which included nationally known Boy Scout leaders.

Action—The Presidential party moved out of the cool green of the White House at 10:20 A.M. The cars moved by Mansion Place to Pennsylvania Avenue and then on to H Street. From there the procession moved to Massachusetts Avenue and then New Jersey Avenue, where the “stationary parade” began.

TRAFFIC AT A STANDSTILL

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. James Roosevelt, his son. George E. Allen, Commissioner of the District of Columbia. Members of the President’s Cabinet and military aides.

Nervous youngsters adjusted cameras to photograph the President. Few remembered to complete the mechanical process, so emotionally overcome were they.

Many boys carried metal canteens on their belts, filled with water to refresh their parched throats. One youthful scout, both legs in a rigid cast, smiled his greeting to the President from the wheelchair where he sat.

CONTRAST TO KHAKI

Thousands of Washington citizens stood on the sidewalk to witness the Review, forming a pattern work of white and blue against the darker khaki. Government employees in several buildings stood on the steps of their offices to cheer the Chief Executive.

Action—At 23rd Street the Review ended, and the President’s car turned off toward the White House. On East Executive Avenue the President turned in and was rushed into the Presidential Mansion. The clock read 10:56.

Troop 16, Section T, from Lexington, Kentucky, brought along two stretchers “for possible fatalities.” There were no fatalities, although ice cream vendors did a thriving business.

SCOUTS CHEER THUNDEROUSLY FOR THEIR CHIEF

There is hardly a Scout in camp today who can coherently recount the emotional reaction he underwent as he saw for the first time his 26,000 brother Scouts lined up along a single highway; as he heard the approach of the President’s party; Secret Servicemen on foot and on the running boards of autos; mobile radio broadcasting equipment; hundreds of news photographers and scores of news reporters—all weaving a story that can never be retold; the story of 26,000 boys who saw their President together.

DEMOBILIZATION BEGINS

No brawls, no arrests, no riot calls!

There are 120 special trains leaving every few minutes from Union Station. The Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green Specials are returning to New England. The Royal Mountain Flyer, Paul Bunyan Flyer, and Gopher Flyer are already heading west.

No disease! No deaths!

We are not only a social agency, but we are also a business. In 1937, membership has risen 5.6 %, thus tallying 1,602,777 boys.

The voices the boys heard were not of shouting dictators. Rather it was the still voices and spirits of Washington and Lincoln that were among them. You sensed it. It gave meaning to it. That’s why the Jamboree came to Washington. For no other place could do what it did in that respect.

“The time, effort, and money invested in Scouting is paying and will continue to pay big dividends in the character of our future American generations and in the American leadership we need,” stated by Representative N.M. Mason of the 12th District, Illinois.

 

 

 

 

 

Ernest Loesser is the author of Touched by Lightning and Road Film, both being collections of obituaries, news reports, and other prose poems. He earned his B.A. in Journalism at NYU and an M.A. in English at Texas A&M University. “The Jamboree Journal” is excerpted from his novel-in-progress, The Boy Problem. He lives in New Jersey.