Boy Scouts01

WAUPACA RECORD LEADER

March 4, 1926

The attempt to get the local boy scout organizations to become affiliated with the Oshkosh group of the Chicago Area did not materialize at a meeting held for that purpose at the Methodist church on Friday night of last week. At the request of Rev. E.J. Saunderson, who was chosen commission at Weyauwega at a recent meeting in that village, for the purpose of organizing this section of the county, the meeting was called. Besides Rev. Saunderson others present were, a representative of the Chicago office, Mr. Pinnell, a representative of the Oshkosh council, Mr. George Neitter, and Harry Hertz of Oshkosh, formerly of Weyauwega who acts in the capacity of supervising instructor for the scouts and scout masters of the Oshkosh council.

Mr. Pinnell in explaining the movement told of the organizing going on in the Chicago area, which comprises the states of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Organization is not compulsory and is being done to assist the individual units and communities with paid professional instructors. Mr. Neitter in telling of the Oshkosh council told the gathering what this city could expect by being a part of their group, explaining that the organizations here, would have the services personally, of the scout instructor two days each month and would be permitted to camp at Onaway Island under the supervision of the regular instructor. These men proposed that a per capita tax be assessed on this community of five cents for a trial period extending to November 1^st and after this should it be agreeable to the Waupaca and Oshkosh organizations, the amount to be levied would be about twenty cents per capita or about $600 for the city.

Only a few were in attendance and the majority of these did not think the movement should apply to Waupaca at the present time, for several reasons. A large majority of scouts in this city are receiving all scouting has to offer, namely, competent leadership devoting all the time and effort that any body could offer and satisfaction of the parents of those scouts in what is being accomplished.

Speakers in opposition to the movement pointed out it was not a matter of money but purely of principle. Scout Troop No. 2 have never solicited any funds but have carried on their own work without a taint of pauperism which would be necessary in the case of consolation.

Again few Waupaca boy scouts care to camp at Onaway Island, which is so familiar to them, or in fact any other nearby camp but instead crave for adventure.

Members of the No. 1 Troop have not been as successful, due to the fact it has been unable to get anyone who could spare enough time to make it so, but have had the assistance of men who have made great sacrifices from their own business to render what assistance they could.

If the citizens of the city will give their m oral support to the No. 1 troop it is doubtful if Waupaca will need the assistance of the Oshkosh council at present. What the No. 2 troop, known as the Lone Pine Troop under the leadership of Mr. Seth Ballard, has accomplished the other troop can do as much, too.