The Washington times., 1909-05-13
BUREAU IS VOTING
ON MORE DAYLIGHT
SCHEDULE OF WORK
Interior Department En-
ployes Taking Poll or
Several Plans.
WOMEN UNFRIENDLY
TO EARLY RISING
Advocates Would Modify English
Idea, Not Changing
Clocks.

The question of permitting the Cow
ernment departments TO enjoy the bene-
fits of the daylight hours" scheme has
already been considered by Cabinet Of
flcers. 1t is said today 1t was con-
sidered at a recent Cabinet meeting,
with the result that it has been decided
to allow the employees in the various
departments to decide how they viii
determine the matter.
To this end, some of the departments
are already taking steps TO determine
employees wishes on the question CT
whether they will adopt the seheme
Among employees of the Interior De-
partmeat, for instance, Il was explained
that a poll is to be taken to determine
whether work shall begin at $3.50 and
close at 2; begin at Z and close at 2:30;
begin at 7:30 and close az 2; begin at
and close at $3.50; begin at $50 and close
at 4. or continue under present hours,
beginning at 9 and closing az 4:30 This
project contemplates the adoption of
modified hours for the months Of June,
July, and August.
Women Against Change.
Il have some doubts whether a poll
On such a series of propositions will re-
said an employe of the department to-
day. ''The men are generally favorable
to beginning and closing work earlier,
but as rule I have found the women
opposed TO going to work earlier. They
don't go t6 ball games much. and they
insist that rhey do want to sleep IN the
morning."
The movement for more daylight has
cities. Cincinnati is starting in on il
with a general Endorsement and much
enthusiasm. and in Indianapolis it has
gone so far that stores and factories
are arranging TO adopt the plan. and
employers and employees are co-operat-
ing to make il a success.
AS to the Government departments,
the development Of the women's op-
position has caused some disappoint-
ment. but those who favor the scheme
believe that with further agitation and
better understanding Of the benefits,
they viii modify their opinions.
There Is no desire 20 enforce such
reform in the departments unless public
opinion among the Employees themselves
favors 1t. No such complicated project
as turning back the clock hands is con-
templated for the present at least be-
cause this, inaugurated in a single city,
would get local and standard time hope
lessly askew.
Prog ess in England.
The project has made excellent
progress in England, where, however.
there is said to be more need for it
than here, because England is farther
north. and the possible gain is greater.
The daylight conservators propose
simply this: That beginning In the
spring. the clock shall be set back a
March, April. and May, and working
hours be set back with It, Thus on
March l the clock would be set back a
half hour; people who the day before
had started wort, at o'clock woulC be-
gin and get done half hour earlier A
month later they would take up another
half hour. and then a third
Hour an1 Half Earlier.
BY May l they would be going to work
an hour and a half earlier than on
March l, and incidentally. they would
be getting done with the days work
that much earlier. People VINO stop
work now at o'clock, and after dining
find there Is little left of daylight for
rest and decreation. would have an hour
and a half of 1t saved to them. They
would get done with their work an
hour and a hab earlier. sun time and
would have a .ong, comfortable evening
for recreation. It would for instance
make II possible to increase attendance
at the ball games, and yet take no
chances of collision with the darkness.
Back to the Winter.
The other end Of the plan is to begin
September 1 and push the clock hands
forward a half hour the first Of Sep
tember, October. and November This
would restore what was gained in the
summer season. II amounts to shifting
backward in the spring, and forward
which is devoted to work, so that as
much as possible Of daylight shall be
kept at the last end of the day in one
solid block, TO be utilized for recreation
purposes.