The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-07-01
WOULD HANDSP|KE
ALL CLOCK HANDS
Movement on Foot to Change
Standard of Time Through
out the Country
TWO MORE DAYLIGHT HOURS
National Committee Meets at Wash.
ington to Push the New Project
Along--The Plan in Nutshell
Many Advantages Urged.

v
Americans, wasteful of health,
strength and dollars, have started
systematic pursuit of time They feel
that for years the old gentleman with
the scythe has been taking a mean ad-
vantage of them, and have set about
curtailing his crop for this season by
capturing two more hours of daylight
out of every twenty four, and give
him in exchange the same period in
darkness.
This crusade for light has been de-
finitely set on foot by a committee of
men representing the larger interests
of the country in business, trade,
manufacturing professions-su vo-
cations as have need of all the light
of heaven to contribute to the best
results. The committee is headed by
b. ii. Murdoch of Cincinnati and
members from East, West, North and
South, convened at the New Willard
Hotel Washington, to discuss ways
and means of handspring the hands
of the clock, and, by the arousing of
public sentiment. push the light along.
The proposition is thus stated by
these gentlemen:
"lf on May l of each year the stand
ard of time throughout the United
States Is advanced two hours, SO that
en- o'clock, ETC., and changed back to
our present standard on October 1. 1t
will add greatly to the health, comfort
and pleasure of all through the sum-
mer, without necessitating any change
as to daily habits, or create any more
confusion than If Western man went
to some point East, having time one
or two hours faster than that to
which he was accustomed, but would
give two hours additional light for re-
creation and health-giving exercise.
and the use of two of the coolest and
best hours of the day for labor"
Americans, In this manner, would
enjoy to-day. namely, two additional
hours of light"
The arguments by which the promo
ters support their plea for added light
are almost as interesting as the cen
trail idea itself 1t is contended that
this would leave the same number OF
hours for business and sleep as now,
and would give two better hours of
days work, and two additional hours
of daylight to the evening hours,
which to-day are too short to be of
much benefit to those living any con-
siderable distance from their place of
business.
Thousands of families would under
these circumstances move into the
country or suburbs, who are now held
back by the fact that the men at the
present time could not reach their
bones until too late to get much bene-
lit.
AS elderly persons and children are
given to early rising, the breakfast
hour will become more regular, and
during the heated term it should
prove of special benefit to the school
children.
This could be made to benefit all
citizens of each and every State in
exactly the same proportion, and not
call for the expenditure of money by
the Government, State or people. Rail-
roads would not be compelled to
change their timetables, as all trains
would leave in future at the same
hour as to-day. Local travel would be
greatly increased, additional money
put in circulation by the purchase of
such things as are used for pleasure
and recreation, and additional value
would be given to what already ex-
lists.
1t is distinctly stated that the pres
ent movement is in no sense connect
ed with the endeavor of the English
to secure standard time more in
conformity with the sun-a project
which has arrayed against it all the
strength of the gas and electric light
companies.