The Washington herald., 1918-03-28
DAYLIGHT PLAN
| TOBESTARTED
BY PRESIDENT
Example Of Setting Clocks
One Hour On May Be
Given by Wilson.

President Wilson may set the ex-
ample for the entire nation and turn
forward the hands Of the clock in the
White. House one hour when the new
daylight saving law recently enacted
by Congress goes INTO effect early in
the morning OF April 1.
Under the law all the clocks In the
country will be advanced one hour be-
tween and . o'clock next Monday
morning. One hour additional day
light will be gained In this way.
All Official clocks will be- advanced
in government departments, bureaus.
House, Senate and courts. -
Whether the President himself will
move the hands Of q clock In the
White House forward depends upon
his decision as TO the effect Of his ac-
ton throughout the country. Already
requests have been received asking
that he officially set the example for
the nation, but It Is not believed he
will do 50 unless he Is persuaded that
his act will have q salutary effect
throughout the country. for he u
usually In bed and. asleep long before
the time arrives when the law goes
into effect.
Government In Line.
Government departments In the
city. however, will observe the law
and all viii advance their time and
employees viii begin their days
work next Monday morning one
hour earlier than on Saturday. The
law continues in effect for seven
months, at the expiration Of which
period the country returns to the
present Official time.
Business houses in Washington
will also fall into line and advance
their time one hour Monday morn
ing. Exactly the same hours will
be observed by both business houses
and government departments here.
Timepieces in the local navy yard
will be advanced between ! and 2
o'clock in the morning Of April 1.
Capt A. L. willard, commandant Of
the yard. said last night.
Woodward and Lothrop, depart
ment store, which yesterday length
ened the time during which the
store is open a quarter Of an hour.
making the store hours from $50
o'clock in the morning until
o'clock in the evening, have an
nounced their intention to observe
the new official time.
8. Kann, Sons & Company. an
other of the large department
stores of the city, will also advance
their clocks one hour and all en-
ployss OF the establishment will be
instructed Saturday evening to re-
port at their regular hours, accord
ing to the new official time Mon
day morning.
District courts and the District gov
ernment will also fall in line.
MOT only the large department
stores, but all business of the city will
meet the requirements OF the new law
by advancing the hands of their clocks
one hour, beginning Monday" Charles
J. Columbus, secretary OF the Retail
Merchants Association. said late yes
terday. Amy business house which
fails to advance their time will find
that IT'S efficiency will be seriously
Impaired"
Local theaters seem not to have yet
definitely determined upon the course
they will pursue when the new law
goes into effect. The majority Of the
managers OF the theaters. however.
have said they probably will advance
their clocks also and hold their per-
formances at the same hours as usual,
at 3:l5 for matinees and s:l5 for even
ing performances.
street Car Companies Ready.
Street car companies Of the District
are preparing to accommodate the
crowds which they will be called upon
TO carry one hour earlier daily after
Sunday. Both the Capital Traction
and Washington Railway and Electric
Company will advance their rush hour
schedules in accordance with the new
law
Washington is prepared all round for
the advancing Of its clocks one hour
April /.
You must not get the idea that
the new law will make any serious
change in conditions one business
man said Yesterday. 1T will not.
Employees will come to work at the
same hour as at present. The law
simply means that business and our
various daily activities will begin one
hour earlier than they do at pres
ent. The change will be universal
and will he hardly noticeable