w.earl.taylor

I notice elsewhere that there was reference to a change in Forest's essay... that being the original last word "boy" changed to "child". After Forest's death I approached Neva Witcraft and asked if I might have permission to make that minor change in keeping with Forest's change of employment/focus from Scouting to American Humanics.

I sought to print the full text of "Within My Power" as part of our retreat manuals that were focused on young people preparing for careers within all 8 of America's largest national youth organization. Neva granted my request.

To the best of my knowledge neither the BSA or Neva ever approved of any other changes in the essay.

This is great work, I took several classes from Forest at Salem College and when I later returned to Salem as the American Humanics administrator, I continued connection with Niva, his widow. Forest lived in Great Neck when he worked at 2 Park Avenue (Nat'l Scout Office prior to New Brunswick). I was destined to become the District Executive M/M of the North Shore District that encompassed Great Neck. Due to a heart attack and his work on the Scout Executive Manual circa 1958-59 his post retirement arrival at Salem was delayed 2 years. Both he and his predecessor Weaver M. Marr had worked closely with Joe Brunton prior to Joe's elevation to Chief Scout Executive. Because the BSA didn't know what to do to promote Forest in the old Region X, they dug into his file and learned of his Ph.D. That led to his becoming Editor of Scouting magazine...and his move to New York.

I'd sure like to see the same workup done for Weaver Marr who had an equally interesting background following a Master's Degree I believe from Duke in 1911. Served in Europe during WWI -- Supt of Schools in High Point, NC. Entered BSA as Deputy Regional Ex responsible for establishing new BSA Scout Councils -- Scout Executive in Jacksonville, FL (introduced Negro Scouting) and later in Atlanta (Ties with MLK). I believe Weaver personally blazed a reconstruction of the Cherokee Trail of Tears from NC to OK. He led the US jamboree contingent to the first World Jamboree following WWII (in France?) and became Interracial Director (Relationships Division) BSA National Staff. His work on Indian reservations and to advance Negro Scouting was significant. Both Weaver and Forest were giants of ethical living and served well as role models for college students. Both were named as Chairmen of the Faculty at Salem College during the quest for accreditation.