Third International Boys’ Work Conference

THIRD INTERNATIONAL BOYS' WORK CONFERENCE Held at Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, 111., Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2, 1926 By Oscar A. Kirkham, Associate Regional Executive, Region 12, B. S. A. There were 3 7 different agencies interested in Boys' Welfare Work from the United States, Canada, and England, with a total representation present of 530 delegates. The International service clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lion's, Exchange, Optimists, etc., had delegates to the conference, these men taking a prominent part in the different sessions. In discussing the enforcement of law, Dr. Mann of Chicago said that one of the contributing factors to the non-enforcement was the "carelessness of the rich; they have their choice as to the laws which they will break, so the boy makes his choice as to which he breaks." "You give a good boy nothing to do, and he will not be good long. — You give the bad boy something good to do, and he will not be bad long." An earnest appeal was made for a devotional period to come again in the life of the American home, as experience has taught that this has been a great contributing factor to the spiritual life of our people. Also that there should be, in some way, spiritual training, associated with the school-life of the boys and girls of America. Some of the dif- ficulties given in this field which were handicapping the spiritual lives of the boys were: 1. Lack of cultural back ground. 2. Church not functioning. 3. Home not functioning, and lack of devotional period. 4. Lack of spiritual training in school. 5. The over emphasis of the mechanical theory of life. 6. The exploitation of leisure time. 7. Lack of adequate leadership. 8. Inadequacy of religious instruction. In a test taken by parents and boys to find out the greatest in- fluences operating on the lives of boys, the following was given: 1 . Parents. 2. Gangs and conferences. 3. Sunday school teacher and club leader. 4. School. The way out was suggested by: 1. Better theological training. 2. Proper interpretation of spirituality.

INTERNATIONAL BOYS' WORK CONFERENCE 439 3. More frequent conferences of and with boys in which they them- selves participate. 4. Faith in God. In speaking about the boys' recreation, Dr. Nash of the Univer- sity of New York said, that gradually the better centers of the United JO MUNKAT! (Good work.) The trunk of Hungary is broken, building new branches. Scouts States were conducting an out-door and an in-door recreation program for all boys of all ages for twelve months of the year. In Milwaukee, the police have a note hook and direct boys from streets to places provided by the city for recreation. There were 252,000 children killed last year on the streets in the United States. We must have more public, supervised playgrounds. In some places, streets are roped off at certain hours. This method, how- ever, is questioned, as children are often found playing after the super- vised and restricted period is passed.

440 IMPROVEMENT ERA A real leader who does not know something of the recreation program of boys and girls is lost. Life has been speeded up — society hasn't been able to keep up. We have been sacrificing some of our old fundamentals. An excellent book, entitled The Drifting Home, By Ernest R. Groves, was suggested. Apennines Mts., Italy Ulban LaVerna fele Hungarian scouts visiting Italy I can think of no more apt statement about the necessity for interest and leadership today in this great question than to quote from a poem: , "Where are the men to lend a hand? Echo it far and wide; Men who will rise in every land Bridging the Great Divide. "Nation and Flag and Tongue unite Joining each class and creed, Here are the boys who would do right, But where are the men to lead?" ABOUT MOVIES "HI SPOTS" from address given by Nelson Green, editor without pay, of the magazine Educational Screen How to secure better movies: Improvement must come from the few who think. * * * Ninety per cent will buy any kind that is put up — the ten per cent can make the improvement. They must work, and can be worked upon. * * * 130 million people paid admittance per week to the movies in the United States. We will all see the day when we can "plug in" a socket and see a movie at home. * * * The reform of the movie cannot go into

INTERNATIONAL BOYS' WORK CONFERENCE 441 legislation — it is then into politics. It must be accomplished through an educational program. Ninety per cent who go have the habit — they must have their emotional food. Some of the evil effects are the imitations whch follow bad displays. * * * Imitation is strong in the child. * * * The movie de- tracts from school work. * * * Arouses the sex impulse in the im- mature. * * * Children now two years old are subjected to sex im- pulses. * * * All sacredness has gone — the kiss must now be violent. * " * * In Japan, a censorship was made on movie productions in which 3,250 kisses were left out in one year. * * * Thrills and suggestions are the major stimulation. We must know what films are before we let our children see them. The name is not always a guide, for the picture called The Ruling Passion is an excellent movie. * * * We cannot depend upon artists any longer. The way out: The Educational Screen is the best paper. The National Women's Federative Club, and other large National agencies are behind it. They publish a list monthly and advise as to the fitness of movies for adults, youths and children. Their list is about 50 movies each month. The committee judging movies are scattered throughout the nation. Most of them, however, in large centers where "first runs" are made. The committee is composed of leading men and women in the United States who have been persuaded to do this work without pay. Their names are not published but as soon as they have reviewed a picture, they mail their reviews to the Educational Screen Magazine, and their opinions are sent out over the country. HOW TO MAKE YOUTH BETTER, FINER CITIZENS. Judge Benjamin F. Jones, in addressing the Conference, said: "It is not surprising that youth refuses to follow the instructions of those who spend their time telling others how they should act, while they themselves do the very things and commit the very offenses they are de- nouncing by word of mouth. How can we hope to have children respect law and live clean lives when their parents violate the law and moral code whenever it suits their convenience? "There is only one way in which juvenile crime can be checked and the youth of this country developed into finer, cleaner, better citizens, and that is by the grown-ups of our country living in such a way as to inspire the respect and confidence of the on-coming generation. Youth must be taught not alone by precept, but by example." Leading speakers dwelt on the need of clean reading. News- papers and magazines have a tremendous responsibility in educating their readers, and ought to fulfil it properly. Boys should be convinced that there is sure retribution for all wrong doing whether the punish- ment comes slowly or swiftly. The policy of emphasizing stories of achievement, good things, and telling the constructive story of man- kind's progress, was stressed as having a beneficial influence in character- building for boys and also for all others.