United States Boys' Working Reserve

United States Boys' Working Reserve

This is a new army to help win the war. There will be no

conscripts in the United States Boys' Working Reserve, only vol-

unteers. All American youths between the ages of sixteen and

twenty-one who are engaged in productive and non-productive

activities are to be volunteers for enlistment.

On Monday, March 18, a "drive" was begun in every state

of the Union to enlist these boys in a great non-military army as

workers in farming and in other necessary industries. It is a

great opportunity for the boys. It is an earnest call to patriotic

service. Our country needs man power to raise food, to

build ships, help in machine shops, textile mills, canning fac-

tories, and in other industries the output of which is necessary

to keep our men at the front and in training supplied with food

and war material. This army of boys between sixteen and

twenty-one can fill those vacant places and so do a man's work

for their country. The boy who wishes to enlist will ask his

teacher who will put him in touch with the nearest enrolling

officer. Here he will be given a card upon which he gives his

age, weight, height, and the service he thinks he is best fitted to

perform. Having then received the consent of his parents, and

passed the physical examination, he is required to subscribe to

the oath of service, pledges himself to stand by the Constitution

of the United States, and faithfully perform any duty to which

he may be assigned.

Such duty may be farm work, or in a canning factory, or

manufacturing plant. But wherever it may be, he will have a

director to advise him, and to help him in case of need. He

will be assured of fair pay, good food, wholesome living condi-

tions, reasonable working hours, and plenty of time for recrea-

tion. His duty must be performed under the most pleasant

conditions; and he will probably live in camp with other boys

of his own age and temper. He will be under moral obligation

and no other to serve through the whole season or time agreed

542 IMPROVEMENT ERA

upon. But with the consent of his parents, he may give up his

badge and leave the service when he will. Love of country and

a sense of honor are the only ties that bind him. Should he

prove recreant to his oath only his conscience will punish him.

There are few genuine American boys who will not hold out

to the end.

The enlistment in Utah for agricultural services will be con-

ducted under the general supervision of the state council of de-

fense, with Mr. J. W. Watson, chairman of the special committee,

in co-operation with the schools and organizations of the state,

and under the direct leadership in counties of a committee

consisting of the County Agent of the Utah Agricultural College,

County Superintendent of Schools, Y. M. M. I. A. superintend-

ents, and Y. M. C. A. leaders. Boys from twelve to sixteen in

Utah may enroll and receive recognition in a junior boys work-

ing reserve by the state.

Wherever the Y. M. M. I. A. have organizations, they art.

urged to do their part in this work; and particularly is it de-

sirable and important that our organization, as well as others in

the Church, should take an earnest interest in the supervision of

camps, and eee that the boys are provided with healthful sur-

roundings and proper moral environment.

Boys working for their parents on the farm are eligible for

enrollment, and should avail themselves of this opportunity of

receiving national recognition for their services.

Y. M. M. I. A. officers ovitside of Utah should correspond

with their state councils of defense and co-operate with their

state leaders, and have their boys enrolled as provided in their

separate states.