1935

1935 Scout Expo

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Chattanooga Scouts invited the public to witness "The Scouting Trail to Citizenship," a series of presentations in tableaux and pantomime, showing the evolution of Scouting from the Stone Age down to the present period—1935. Covering every phase of Scout activity and interest of boys, the Boy Scout 25th Anniversary Exposition was a revelation to the public in illustrating the great part Scouting is taking in building better citizens. The call to the public said, "If you are interested in the future manhood of America, and if you are interested in boys, don’t fail to attend this greatest of all Scout Expositions ever held in Chattanooga."

Chattanooga scouts represented boys of the Stone Age, the Crusaders period, Indian lads, and the Early American pioneer boy engaged in playing games of their time. Also, highlighted were present day youth (1935) in unorganized state playing their favorite games, along with an organized Scout troop presenting their program. Demonstrations occurred in the evolution of signaling, wall scaling, pyramid building, erection of tents and equipment used in outdoor Scouting, and a gigantic display of pioneering—including the construction of a pioneer village.

A grand climax highlighted the night, in which 1,200 Scout participated in a show with Uncle Sam played by Estes Kefauver and Miss Columbia played by Mrs. James F. Finlay as they presented the "embryo citizen trained in Scouting and citizenship" to the community. The newspaper reported this to be "an exposition cram-full of interest and the vitality of youth, and showing what modern Scouting is contributing to the making of better citizens for America! Admission for the event was 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Interestingly, Estes Kefauver later became a US Senator from Tennessee and, in 1956, was Adlai Stevenson’s Democratic running mate for the President and Vice President ticket.

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Admiral Byrd Visits Chattanooga Sea Scouts

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As Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, flyer, explorer, and scientist, stepped from the train at the Terminal Station on Tuesday, November 12, 1935, a group of Chattanooga Sea Scouts lined each side of the steps. They greeted and shook hands with Admiral Byrd who was scheduled to speak twice at the Memorial Auditorium about his adventures. Also there to greet the admiral were Chattanooga Mayor Bass and a group from the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The Chattanooga Sea Scouts offered their skills and services during Admiral Byrd’s visit.

In 1928, Byrd began his first expedition to the continent of Antarctic involving two ships, and three airplanes. A 19-year-old Boy Scout, Paul Allman Siple, was chosen to accompany the expedition. Admiral Byrd lectures in Chattanooga dealt with the scientific discoveries and adventurous experiences of his second Antarctic expedition in 1934. He brought more than 9,000 feet of film to illustrate his talks. The Chattanooga Times described him as "lean, of medium height, and with curly gray hair, Admiral Byrd has the quick easy movements of a man of action. In his room at the Read House, he relaxed comfortably and smoked a cigarette. Despite all the physical hardships he has endured, he talked of his explorations as though he remembered each experience with pleasure. His manner was very free and cordial."

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During his lecture, Admiral Byrd said, "What was very surprising—truly astonishing, was the discovery we made on our last expedition that when we melted some ice in a frozen lake, we found living organisms. They had been frozen deal for an unknown number of years and then came to live when the ice was melted. It indicates how tenacious life is. If an ice age should cover the whole world, there would still be life." During his lonely, five-month vigil at the Advance Base in Antarctica, Admiral Byrd said his principal job was the reading of scientific instruments—like a regular weather station. He added that he read about 100 books—novels, biographies, adventure stories, and philosophic works.