Thursday's newspapers contain a letter from Sir Robert Baden-Powell entitled
"Help the Boy Scouts." He appeals to the result of his six years' experimental work as proof, and hero the whole country will be with him, that what he has done for the Scouts and what- the Scouts are doing for the country is of incomparable value. But those who guide the movement are not content. They wish to appeal both for men and money. That appeal, we learn, has the enthusiastic support of the President, the Duke of Connaught. Sir Robert goes on to ask for the provision of a capital sum Of £250,000, which sum is to form a permanent endowment fund, invested in the names of trustees, the income of 210,000 a year being spent on the Boy Scout movement. The first charge on this sum is to be the establishment of the head- quarters organization on a sound financial basis. Next, training is to be provided for future Scoutmasters. Again, boys are to be included who are below the present age limits, and young men and lads who are above them. There is also to be instituted under the most careful safeguards a branch of Junior Scouts between the ages of nine and eleven. Money is also required for recruiting in the slums of our great cities, places which specially need to learn the doctrines of good citizenship. Then come in the Sea Scouts, which are said to be developing rapidly. Lastly, there is the farm already established on Scout principles where Scouts can be trained for the oversee Dominions.
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