M. I. A. Scouts

M. I. A. Scouts

THE M. I. A. SCOUTS AFFILIATE WITH THE NATIONAL ORGANIZA- TION OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.

The scout movement was begun by men anxious that the boys of America should come under influence that would build them up in all that goes to make character and good citizen- ship. Since its inauguration it has swept many countries like a great tidal wave. Nowhere has this movement met with more cordial welcome than in the western United States. The M. I. A. Scouts are now affiliated with the National Scouts of America, and are to be congratulated upon such affliation with this great or- ganization. At the'same time, the Boy Scouts of America have been augmented by this affliation in a very unusual manner, considering the large number and character of the scouts organized under the Y. M. M. I. A. Negotiations were taken up with Mr. S. A. Moffatt. field secretary of the National organization who visited Salt Lake on January 7 and 8 of this year. Mr. Moffatt, after a long con- ference with the representatives of the M. I. A. Scouts, and a careful investigation of the conditions, cordially urged that steps be immediately taken to affiliate with the National organization, assuring the M. I. A. representatives that everything possible would be done to make this affiliation effective and agreeable.

Soon after, correspondence was taken up with Mr. James E. West, Chief Scout Executive, which finally resulted in affilia- tion. The correspondence is deemed of sufficient importance to present it to the readers. Following is the letter to Mr. West :

Salt Lake City Utah. March 24, 1913. James E. West, Chief Scout Executive,

200 5th Ave. Nczv York City, N. Y. Dear Sir: The Athletic Comittee of the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, to whom was refer- red the matter of affiliation of the M. I. A. Scouts with the National organization of the Boy Scouts of America, after having carefully

DR. JOHN H. TAYLOR M. I. A. Scout Commissioner.

113b IMPROVEMENT ERA

considered the question, and in view of the fact that we now have a complete organization covering all the activities of our young people, and wishing to preserve, as far as possible, this organization in carrying on our Scout work, presented the following resolution at the meeting of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. held March 5, 1913.

"Wheras, the officers of the Boy Scouts of America have invited the M. I. A. Scout's to affiliate with the National Organization, be it

Resolved: That we apply for affiliation on the following con- ditions

1. That the Field man, appointed by the Geenral Board of the Y. M. M. I. A., now, Dr. John H. Taylor, or his successors in office, be granted a special scout comission by the National Council, with jurisdiction over all M. I. A. Scouts, and who shall report to the National Executive Secretary concerning said M. I. A. Scouts.

2. That in cities where local councils are chartered, all M. I. A. Scouts applying for promotion or rewards of merit shall be subject to said local council, with its specially appointed Scout Commissioner; and that in all other respects the M. I. A. Scouts shall be under the immediate control and direction of the said Special M. I. A. Scout Comissioner.

(Signed) L. R. Martineau B. F. Grant

Hyrum M. Smith B. S. Hinckley

Oscar A. Kirkham John H. Taylor

This resolution was unanimously adopted by the General Board, and the Athletic Committee was authorized to inform you of this action, and we trust that it will meet with your approval. Please let us hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerly yours,

L. R. Martineau Chairman Committee on Athletics, Field Sports and Outdoor Activities. Attest :

Moroni Snow,

General Secretary.

New York City, May 3, 1913. Mr. L. R. Martineau,

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Ass'n,

20-22 Bishops Bldg., Salt Lake City, Utah. My Dear Mr. Martineau: It gives me great pleasure to tell you that at the last meeting of our Executive Board, held yesterday, the first since your letter of March 24th reached us, it was unanimously agreed to commission Dr. John H. Taylor, as recommended by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, and to have the affili- ation of the M. I. A. Scouts with the Boy Scouts of America take place in accordance with the resolutions adopted at the meeting held March 15th.

Personally, if gives me great pleasure, as executive official of the Boy Scouts of America, to welcome through you all of those who will actively take up Scout work under this new plan. *****

Sincerely yours,

James E. West Chief Scout Executive.