 The Cavalcade of America, presented by DuPont. The thoughtful men and women who have tried and failed are looking to youth to save the future. In some lands, short-sighted leaders are regimenting youth. Exploiting them with deliberate and selfish purpose. Featless that history inevitably repeats itself. It was in America that one of the most selfless and idealistic youth movements the world has ever known was founded. On tonight's Cavalcade of America, we bring you the Founder's Story, the story of Juliet Lowe, who envisioned and organized the Girl Scouts of America. For an overture, Don Burris and the DuPont Cavalcade Orchestra play the popular rhythmic melody, and the Angels Sing. She spoke French in all her classes. She walked swiftly from having a backboard passed into her shoulders. And when she took exercise, it was a demure walk of a few blocks. Such was the training in Mademoiselle Charbonnier's select school for girls. One afternoon, two by two, in bonnets and high-button shoes, they parade down Madison Avenue in New York City. Among them, a little girl from Savannah, Georgia. Juliet Gordon, called Daisy by her classmate. Marty? Marty? What, Daisy? They had to turn off at 26, please. I never take a dare, Daisy Gordon. Oh, you're afraid. I'm not either. But you know, we walk only on Madison Avenue. And we look just like a flock of youth. Left, right, left, right. What? You better not speak any less. Let him down here, you. Oh, she won't hear you, Daisy. She's back there telling you to address me. Go on, Marty. You're ahead of the line. Let's turn. Daisy, if you want to turn, you take your head. I'd love to. All right? How many want to walk on Fifth Avenue? I don't know. I don't think it would be like it does. Be on me so far? Remember, we're still a little lady. From Mademoiselle Charbonnier's select school. So what's on Friday 6th? Yes. Is it your home? Isn't it nice to have a change? I wish you could walk fast, Daisy, and get some real exercise. I hate to mince along with little steps. One girl's run. Oh, she's seen it. Look at her. Do you expect me to turn in this way? It's incredible. You're very promising. It was my idea, Mademoiselle. Juliette. And why did you turn here? Fifth Avenue. There are three times as many young men walking. I think it's a boy. We don't. But not to flirt, Mademoiselle. I have 30 cousins downtown, and I miss every single one of them. Why are you caring for words from any of you? And I will report this disgraceful matter to the head. Very well, Juliette. But perversation will pass, please, please. Toujours passé. Oui, Mademoiselle. So they test Madison Avenue. Great Gordon finished her walk that afternoon on Madison Avenue. And when her education was completed, returned to Savannah to become a great bell of the period. So beautiful that when William Low, a cotton merchant from England, visited Georgia, he fell in love with her, married her, and took her to London. At first, there were brilliant charming years of happiness and swift tragedy. And Juliette Low lived alone in the Highlands of Scotland. There were occasional friends, one, Sir Robert Baden-Pole, who had just started the English Boy Scouts. One evening on the terrace of Juliette's Lodge. It's beautifully here in a gloaming, Mrs. Low. Isn't it? Quiet, so still. I love the Highlands, Sir Robert. You've never found it lonely here. I love the lift and the silence, the heather on the hill. It gives me a comfortable feeling shut away from the world. If you don't mind meddling old men, there's no sort of feeling for a young, charming woman. Why? Because... Well, but then it isn't my affair. Go ahead, I don't mind how you scold me. You need some purpose. I had a purpose. And my husband died, I lost it. I don't believe it. Oh, yes, yes, it's true. I was brought up to be useless. I learned French into mints along the street with ladylike steps. Modern civilization does make people soft. How could you change it? With discipline. That's why I'm starting my Boy Scout movement. I'll give you a Boy Scout manual, Mrs. Low. Read it. You think it would improve me? I want to think over my ideas for training the young. What's that? One of my Highland children. Your Highland children? Yes. Yes, if you'll excuse me, I'll walk out and see what she wants. Certainly. So you, Meg, what's the matter, dear? It's my sister. Oh? You mind the one that went to the glass got to work in the shop? Yes, yes, what's happened to her? She had the season. And my mother didn't have a cellar to bring her home. Oh, well, here, Meg, take this money. I cannot take it. My father had to stick them up. Well, I'll talk to your father. You have a cart for all the way down and bring her home, Meg. Oh, I'll pay it back. I know you will. I will. Thank you. Mrs. Low. Mrs. Low. Yes? Is anything wrong? Oh, it's an outrage. What's the matter? These poor Highland girls, it's a shame they have to work in the Glasgow factories, but they're so poor. They know nothing of caring for themselves and many of them die of the virtuoso. These hills are full of dying girls. I know. Something should be done about the situation. They're too punished for their own good. I... They need somebody to tell them how to do things. So, Robert, let me have that Boy Scout manual of yours. When Juliet Low read Baden-Poll's Boy Scout manual, she discovered a purpose in life. Organizing the Highland girls into groups, she taught them how to help themselves. And soon her name and work became admired throughout Scotland. Among the girls who is no better companion, and one day she calls on a little neighbor, Meg, who shows her some chickens. Now, silly hen, will you sit on the nest as your toad? Please, stop them, Meg. That's horrible. I dare now. She's got her own off to the gore. We'll build hen houses soon. Can all the girls be here on Saturday? Hi. They're coming from far above. Wedge has been carried there. It's their sport. You wait till they hear how much money we made selling the eggs. Their eyes will be biggest sauces. It's plain now that working together we've no need ever to leave our homes. These ways we don't have to let our young sisters go up to Glasgow. I hope the McNamara's had their world owns nearly built. With enough woolen's on hand, I'm sure I can find a market in London. The girls think you're an angel, Mrs. Low. Me? Oh, no. I'm just a woman who's finding out a lot of things late in life. Exciting things, Meg. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Inspired by the enthusiasm of our Highland girls, Juliet Low determined to start her national organization for girls in the United States. Returning to America, she talks with the daughters of her friends in Savannah. Mrs. Low, Karen, how much fun the Scots girls had raising all those chickens and leaving blankets. Low's Highland girls made enough to stay with their own families. That's the important thing. Is that what you want us to do, Mrs. Low? Leave chickens? No, Ellen, because there'd be no real reason for you doing it. Every scout troop decides for itself on what it wants for activities. Do you have a basketball team at school? Oh, yes. But we don't get to play very much. I'd like to play more games. Or English girls play games just like their brothers, don't they? But that wouldn't be ladylike things. What do you girls think it means to be a lady? Well, you wear a nice dress all the time. You don't play rough games or get dirty. But you stay in the house so you'll have a fine complexion when you grow up. Ellen, after your grandfather died, your grandmother ran fairly all by herself, didn't she? My yes. Ran the plantation and brought up 10 children. You suppose she stayed in the house to take care of her complexion? No. I guess she didn't. Indeed she didn't. Your grandmother was managing a thousand acres. Living outdoors, there's nothing to do with being a lady. If you're a lady, you'll be one anywhere. Now, I'll tell you what we'll do. You and I will form the first Girl Scout troop in the United States. Will you do that with me? Oh, yes. I think it would be just wonderful. Don't you, girl? Oh, yes. Well, here's what we'll do. We'll all meet two or three times first to talk about the Girl Scout laws. And oh, yes, there's a promise we have to make. A promise? Yes. You say it, Ostany. On my honor, I will try. On my honor, I will try to do my duty to God and my country. To do my duty to God and my country. To help other people at all times. To help other people at all times. To obey the Girl Scout laws. To obey the Girl Scout laws. From that first small meeting in Savannah, Georgia, Juliet Lowe's Girl Scouts developed so quickly that the movement seemed almost spontaneous. It grew from city to city, state to state, and coast to coast. Juliet began to travel in interest people everywhere in Girl Scouting. Within two years, there was a National Girl Scout headquarters in New York City. Into the office one day, a gentleman comes to call, finding three young Scouts at work. Good morning. Good morning, mister. Can I help you? Well, is this the National Headquarters of the Girl Scouts? Yes, it is, sir. Oh, that's fine. Is Mrs. Lowe here? No, she isn't, mister. Oh, I see. Well, and perhaps if I adopt her another time. Oh, she'll be back pretty soon, sir. You can wait if you want to, mister. Well, wouldn't I be in the way? Oh, no. Oh, no. It'll be all right. You could help us lick these stamps. Yes, sure. Would you like to lick some stamps, mister? Oh, yes. Yes, I'd be glad to. Good. Just have me that pile of envelopes. There. Thank you. You're sealing them? Yes, sir. Thank you. We're terribly busy today. You have a rapidly developing organization? Of what? Your group. You grow fast. You get bigger every day, don't you? Oh, gosh. I mean, my goodness, yes. Over on Third Avenue, where Terry and me live, there was only eight kids in our troop at first, and now there's 23. Everybody in the block. Well, that's fine. Now, well, now I think about it. It's wonderful for city children. Tell me how you first heard, oh. Oh, good morning. Good morning. I'm Dr. Russell, teacher's colleague. Mrs. Lowe, this man's licking stamps for us, and he's good at it. Oh, why, Mary, you should make a call and do your work. Well, I'm afraid I tried to become one of the organizations of Lowe without stopping to ask you about it. The young ladies were very pleasant. Well, girls, you've done enough for one morning, and your mother needs you probably. Be careful of street crossings on the way home, won't you? Yes, Mrs. Lowe. Well, I'll train to help come up again next week. Next week, same day. I'll expect you. All right. Goodbye, Mary. Goodbye. Mrs. Lowe, it is what I want to see you about. Our students' training to become teachers need to learn well, the practical program for the leisure hours of children. Oh, please sit down, Dr. Russell. Thank you. I, uh, I really should tell you, Dr. Russell, that our organization itself is having trouble. Having trouble? Yes, financial trouble. Oh, I see. Then you won't bother about my plan until I get some money for you. Get it? How? Mrs. Lowe, I know about your work. And I know something about you. I'm certain there must be men and women in this city who would be glad to help you, especially right now. And I'm going to make it my business to see what can be done. From that meeting came a concrete financial plan for the further development of Juliet Lowe's Girl Scouts of America. The work grew in cities and towns until today there are over half a million Girl Scouts. In 1926, the first world encampment was scheduled to be held in the United States. And shortly before it began, Juliet Lowe, ill and tired, was at her home in Savannah talking with her niece. Aunt Daisy. Yes, dear? Bella says you've asked her to pack your things. I've got to go to New York, dear. Oh, please, Aunt Daisy. You can't go. We won't let you. Who's we? Your family and your doctor. Is that all alarm has been spreading more rumors about me? What'd he say? Aunt Daisy. He said you must be quiet. What more did he say, dear? What do you mean? How many months? Or weeks. Or is it days? Oh, please, Aunt Daisy. I know what's going to happen, dear. But I don't want to go out with sad looks to remember. I don't see why when an illness is hopeless and everyone knows that the doctors don't urge you to cram all the living you can into the last month. Oh, just think. The first world encampment to be held in America. Oh, darling, it wouldn't do you any good to try to keep me from being there. All right, Aunt Daisy. I won't try. And I don't think the doctor will either. The relative's north physician prevented Juliette Low from joining her scouts at their first world encampment. As the chairman addressed the meeting, she waited till and tired outside the big tent. Inside, 500 women waited to hear the words of Chief Scout Sir Robert Baden-Pole. But outside the tent, Baden-Pole speaks first to Juliette Low. It's too bad you can't be inside listening to the speeches, Mrs. Low. Yes, yes, I'm sorry, too. What do you think of us, Sir Robert? When I look at those tents, searching away for half a mile, when I see the happiness and feel the enthusiasm of the American women for scouting, I feel like a pygmy beside a giant. You've done wonders, and I mean you. I started it, but the rest was easy. Was it so easy? You look very tired, Mrs. Low. I'm getting more rest lately. Oh, I think the chairman has finished his speech. It's time for yours now. Sir, tomorrow I'll be leaving. I think I'll say my personal good-bye to you now, since we probably won't be meeting again. No. No, I'm afraid not. Until you come to England. Try to make it this summer. My wife and I both hope you'll come. Yes, I'll try to. Sir Robert, it's time for your speech. Oh, yes, yes, thank you. I'll go right along. Sir of the boys, sir. Sir Robert Baden-Pole. Perhaps I could only begin best by telling you... Don't you want to go out and sit on the platform? No. No, dear. But we can't quite hear the words out here. Well, I know what he's saying. He's saying that he's proud of my American Girl Scouts. And so am I. I trust I've left no enemies, and I leave and bequeath to my family, my friendship, especially my beloved Girl Scouts. That was the last testament of Juliet Low. But it is to the world that Juliet Low really left her Girl Scouts. For from the energy and great faith of the American movement, Girl Scouting is spread all over the world. In thirty-one countries, girls make the scalp promise and obey the scalp laws. And five times in the last years, a group of girls from all over the world have gathered for a friendly meeting and interchanged of ideas at the big Girl Scouts shelling in Switzerland. At the close of last year's meeting... What time do we need for the station, Miss Crandall? At two o'clock, dear, in just a few moments. Hello, girls, when the bus gets here, all of you be sure your duffel bags and velices are right beside you. Is anyone seeing Mary Thomas? Mary? Oh, there you are. Hello, Tannis. Oh, my dear, I was so afraid we'd miss each other. I just can't believe we're leaving. Hello, Marie. Hello, Tannis. Would you like to go to Paris? The... St. Prophetic. I'll have to find out if I can to clean same time in Paris and sell it for New York in it. At least you'd see the beer with my Tannis. I'm still a vicar. We've had such fun rooming together. I know I shall never forget it. Why not, please? I won't eat it. Let us clean same time for the last time. I'd be off to England. And if it used to be friendly in these troubled times, the Girl Scouts are stressing international friendship. At the New York World Fair, they have a replica of their Swiss shelling. It will be a headquarters for Scouts visiting the fair from everywhere. It will be fair headquarters for more than half a million Girl Scouts of America. It is, in a sense, a memorial and a promise. A memorial to all the courageous pioneers of Scouting, a memorial to Juliette Lowe, and a promise that the Girl Scouts will continue to stand for the best in young America. We're speaking to the DuPont Company and bringing us another story from the Wonder World of Chemistry. Some of the things in the DuPont Wonder World of Chemistry exhibits that the New York and San Francisco World fairs are so remarkable, they almost defy description. Have you ever heard of piped light? Yes, piped light. That's one way of describing an amazing characteristic of lusite plastic, the crystal clear material that DuPont chemists developed not long ago after years of research. A solid rod of lusite looks like a glass rod, such as you see the hanged towels on. But, unlike glass, lusite has the peculiar optical property of transmitting light right down the whole length of the rod and out the far end. Hold the light at one end and it shines out at the other. Now take the lusite rod and bend it into curves or like a corkscrew. What happens? The light still shines brightly at the far end. And here's the explanation. When light rays travel in lusite, they can't penetrate the outside wall. Instead, they bounce along by reflection until they escape at the end, turning corners as easy as anything. However, by cutting or grinding the surface of the rod, light can be made to come out wherever you wish. Well, what can be done with light that bends around corners? Already it's turned out to be a great help to surgeons and dentists. A number of surgical instruments are being made of lusite plastic with electric bulbs in the handles. Thus, light can be directed right to the spot where it's needed. And the wonder doesn't end there because the light is cold. This elimination of heat is important to the patient's comfort. Let's take a simple example. A tongue depressor with light coming out at the end. Surely you've had a doctor examine your throat using a flat wooden stick for a tongue depressor. And you probably remember the difficulty he had in getting light way back into your mouth with a flashlight or mirror. The new lusite instrument focuses a white brilliant light right on the spot where he needs it and holds down your tongue at the same time. Time alone will tell what further use may be made of rays of cool light piped through lusite plastic. Meanwhile, medical men have thought of another clever use for this wonder of chemistry. Because the material weighs so little, properly shaped pieces of lusite are used with amplifying devices to aid the heart of hearing. The small plastic pieces fit snugly and comfortably into the ear to hold the miniature receivers of hearing instruments. Yes, indeed. When the research chemist gives the world a new material, you never can tell how many good things it will do for mankind. Like many other marvels in the wonder world of chemistry exhibits at the world's fairs, lusite plastic well illustrates the DuPont pledge better things for better living through chemistry. The Week the Cavalcade of America presents the story of a man regarded as the greatest single force in the broad development of American law, the late Oliver Wendell Holmes. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. On tonight's program, the part of Juliette Low was played by Agnes Moret. Until next week end at the same time, this is Thomas Chalmers saying good night and best wishes from DuPont. This is the Columbia Broadcasting Center.