The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-01-15

Artificial Lights.
WASHINGTON. Jan. l5.--President .
Wilson has told members of the house
that the daylight saving bill now in
thc house committee on interstate and
foreign commerce should be passed at
the earliest possible date 50 that the
law can become effective next spring.
The President is convinced this meas.
urc will mean the saving of many mil.
lions Of dollars in light and fuel and
the production of great quantities of
foods,ufrs in backyard gardens and
city lots
Chairman Sims, after a conference
with Mr.. Wilson, has notified the mem
bcrs of tae committee that he will ask
for action on the bill. which passed the :
senate last June, Immediately after the
war emergency railroad legislation is
out of the way.
a tentative program for the promo
tion of the bill has been arranged by /
the Chairman and representative Bor-
land Of Missouri. the chief advocates !
of the measure in tho house. The first |
persons expected TO testify are Fuel
Administrator Garfield. who will explain
the effect in the saving of coal, and
Chairman Hurley Of the shipping board,
who will testify as to the measure s
value in eNpediting the shipbuilding
program.
The taking over of the railroads by
the government has eliminated the one
source Of opposition to the daylight
saving measure. Railroad executives
objected on the ground that it would
upset their schedules and prove costly
90 the roads which would have to re-
wise all of their literature and guide
cards. Friends of this proposed legisla
ton believe that Director General Me-
Adoo Will TAvof the daylight saving
plan, for 1t will help him in operating
the unified roads
Representative Borland, who will
manage the daylight saving bin in the
house, will call before the interstate
and foreign commerce committee mem
bers Of the cabinet, business men from
all sections, officials OF the United
States chamber of commerce and Others
prominent in government and industrial
affairs 20 testify as to the value of
this measure
'Thc bill has already passed the
senate by unanimous vote said Mr.
Borland, "and Is now in the house com
mittcc awaiting action. Chairman
Sims will have il considered at the
very earliest possible moment.
The bill is i'm especial demand al
this time as a war measure. II fol
lows q Plan which has been in success
full operation in Great Britain. Franc,
and Italy, Germany, Austria. Hungar,
and other foreign countries. II woulJ
add one hour Of daylight to the busi
ness day of the United States by tn,
simple process Of turning the hand
Of the clock forward ono hour As th
is TO bc done simultaneously through
out the continental United States ant
the zone system Of standard time i
20 Toe preserved, there will be no per
sonal Inconvenience TO any one.
This bill has the Endorsement o
President Wilson who recently g,
pressed the opinion TO members of cor
gross and others that it should hav
early consideration in the house. NJ
Wilson realizes that. if enacted and III
into effect in the early spring, the mca
urc will effect a great saving.
"Thc bill has the active support
the United States chamber Of cor
mcrce, which is in touch with the lea
ing business interests of the Natio
and of the American Federation of l.
bor, the largest labor organization
the United States. / have seen MAJ
members of congress who, after beiI
told of the purpose Of this measure, b
came enthusiastic advocates of its pa
sage. ! DO not believe there will
any opposition to it.
"Thc benefits TO be derived a
manifold, but the one which com
into special prominence at this til
~ the conservation of fuel The
changing Of one hour of darkness
one hour Of daylight decreases the
maud for artificial light in hote
theatres and other public places as W
% in private homes. This will res
in reduction in the demand upon {
public service corporations, the elect
hght gas and street car companies, a
VIII effect saving of millions ;
nually.
" Because of the saving of time q
labor N mining and transporting, r
Administrators Garfield urges the ca
passage of the bill. He estimates Il
the saving OF fuel from this sou
alone VIII exceed 100000 tons
wear.
MIR. Borland laid special stress
the effect tho daylight saving
would have on the general health
the men, women aud children Of
country who will have an extra h
after this taf.s ar, completed for III
exercise or garden work.
This measure said he, s.has
hearty support of the lovers of athl,
amuscments 1t will prove great
70 the building Of sound bodies
the encouragement Of outdoor life.
has been found in England that
plan tends toward q reduction of
amount spent by the people for inc
amusements-a very necessary sa,
in war times.