American Boy Scouts
Encyclopedia
The American Boy Scout (ABS) was an early American Scouting
organization formed by William Randolph Hearst
in 1910, following on from the formation of the Scouting movement by Robert Baden-Powell
between 1903 and 1907.
, formed months earlier by rival publisher William D. Boyce
but pursued his own vision of Scouting and incorporated the ABS in June 1910. Among the objectives of the organization was to prepare boys for the obligations and duties of citizenship.
The ABS claimed to be a military organization, which was in contrast to the non-military BSA. The ABS performed military style drills with rifles and sold war bonds during World War I
.
Hearst had conflicts with the ABS directors over the methods of financing and the improper and unauthorized use of his name for the solicitation of money. He resigned in December 1910. Hearst also expressed his disdain at fund raisers being allowed to keep 40% of funds raised without his knowledge. Other leaders resigned at the same time Hearst did.
Citing mismanagement by the ABS, the New England Division left the ABS and formed the New England Boy Scouts. The ABS joined the Order of World Scouts
in 1911.
In March 1912, an ABS Scout in uniform shot and killed a boy with a rifle after a Scout function. The resulting negative publicity caused the group to practically dissolve by 1913. In 1916, the USBS sought but did not receive a federal charter
.
After the BSA received a federal charter in 1916, Chief Scout Executive
James E. West
pressed the USBS to change its name without success. The BSA filed a lawsuit for an injunction
order to restrain the USBS from using the term "Boy Scout" in 1917. It was also alleged that USBS had used the names of prominent men, such as Elbert Henry Gary
, in their fund raising efforts and that donations were made to the USBS in the mistaken belief that they were the BSA.
The BSA was represented by Charles Evans Hughes
, former Governor of New York
and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Testimony included an affidavit
from Robert Baden-Powell
, founder of the international Scout Movement, on the origins of the Scout Movement. In 1919, the New York Supreme Court
, a trial court
, granted the BSA an injunction and the USBS was barred from using the terms "Boy Scout", "Scout", "Scouting
", or any variation thereof.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
organization formed by William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
in 1910, following on from the formation of the Scouting movement by Robert Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
between 1903 and 1907.
History
In May 1910, Hearst called an organizational meeting to form a new Scouting group. Hearst was aware of the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, formed months earlier by rival publisher William D. Boyce
William D. Boyce
William Dickson "W. D." Boyce was an American newspaper man, entrepreneur, magazine publisher, and explorer. He was the founder of the Boy Scouts of America and the short-lived Lone Scouts of America . Born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, he acquired a love for the outdoors early in his life...
but pursued his own vision of Scouting and incorporated the ABS in June 1910. Among the objectives of the organization was to prepare boys for the obligations and duties of citizenship.
The ABS claimed to be a military organization, which was in contrast to the non-military BSA. The ABS performed military style drills with rifles and sold war bonds during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Hearst had conflicts with the ABS directors over the methods of financing and the improper and unauthorized use of his name for the solicitation of money. He resigned in December 1910. Hearst also expressed his disdain at fund raisers being allowed to keep 40% of funds raised without his knowledge. Other leaders resigned at the same time Hearst did.
Citing mismanagement by the ABS, the New England Division left the ABS and formed the New England Boy Scouts. The ABS joined the Order of World Scouts
Order of World Scouts
The Order of World Scouts founded in 1911, was the first international Scouting organisation. It is headquartered in England, with the administration headquarters in Italy...
in 1911.
In March 1912, an ABS Scout in uniform shot and killed a boy with a rifle after a Scout function. The resulting negative publicity caused the group to practically dissolve by 1913. In 1916, the USBS sought but did not receive a federal charter
Congressional charter
A congressional charter is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group. Congress issued federal charters from 1791 until 1992 under Title 36 of the United States Code....
.
Boy Scouts of America
The American Boy Scouts were often confused with the Boy Scouts of America, which sometimes caused problems with fund raising and misattributed publicity. The ABS board of directors voted in October 1913 to change the name of the organization to the United States Boy Scout (USBS), primarily to prevent the confusion.After the BSA received a federal charter in 1916, Chief Scout Executive
Chief Scout Executive
The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In most similar non-profit organizations, this is equivalent to the position of executive director....
James E. West
James E. West (Scouting)
Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the...
pressed the USBS to change its name without success. The BSA filed a lawsuit for an injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
order to restrain the USBS from using the term "Boy Scout" in 1917. It was also alleged that USBS had used the names of prominent men, such as Elbert Henry Gary
Elbert Henry Gary
Elbert Henry Gary was an American lawyer, county judge and corporate officer. He was a key founder of U.S. Steel in 1901, bringing together partners J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and Charles M. Schwab. The city of Gary, Indiana, a steel town, was named for him when it was founded in 1906...
, in their fund raising efforts and that donations were made to the USBS in the mistaken belief that they were the BSA.
The BSA was represented by Charles Evans Hughes
Charles Evans Hughes
Charles Evans Hughes, Sr. was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican politician from New York. He served as the 36th Governor of New York , Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States , United States Secretary of State , a judge on the Court of International Justice , and...
, former Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Testimony included an affidavit
Affidavit
An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public...
from Robert Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
, founder of the international Scout Movement, on the origins of the Scout Movement. In 1919, the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
, a trial court
Trial court
A trial court or court of first instance is a court in which trials take place. Such courts are said to have original jurisdiction.- In the United States :...
, granted the BSA an injunction and the USBS was barred from using the terms "Boy Scout", "Scout", "Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
", or any variation thereof.