The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-29
DAYLIGHT SAVING.
Eight Reasons for Defeating the
Latest Attack on 1t.

10 TIM bDlTOH OF Ihh SuN-o"' 49,"
attacks on daylight saving which are
the result Of recent propaganda among
farmers should not succeed. Millions OF
people are enthusiastic for the con-
tinuance OF the plan which has proved
such blessing to the masses both here
and abroad.
The only opposition TO the daylight
saving plan when originally presented
by me to a large representative conven-
ton in this city came from the gas
companies, which are really the only
losers by its operation. Later on 1t
was again the lighting interests that
argued for an extension Of the plan
throughout the winter. which would
have turned the sublime into the
ridiculous"
the lighting interests whose profits are
affected, 1t is suspected that they are
responsible for the recent systematic
propaganda among farmers, who them
selves never showed any particular
interest in this matter. The farmers
have always been daylight savers. They
are not compelled to rise earlier by the
daylight saving act. They were always
guided and may continue to be guided
by the sun, while city dwellers have
been controlled by the clock.
City and suburban people rise at the
same hour summer and winter; the only
way to have them enjoy the BENEFITS OF
early sunrise and late sunset Is through
the daylight saving plan Of pushing the
clock forward In summer. There is
Ut
workers in favor OF daylight saving.
While certain owners Of farms are
said to fear the competition of home
gardening encouraged by daylight saw
ing or see loss in work ceasinB
earlier in the afternoon. the farmhands
as class favor daylight saving.
Every new movement requires new
adjustment: It seems to me that the
railroads should show consideration to
the farmers in adjusting train schedules
to meet any new requirement on their
part There should be reasonable
attitude on both sides. 1 am sure there
IL enough patriotism and wisdom among
the farmers, as among all other good
citizens, to appreciate the fact that
what is best for the greatest number
Of our population is In the long run
the best for each one. even though
there may be some discomfort in one
particular or another Such great saw
ing OF gas. coal and. most important or
all. health by the masses should not be
upset lightly on account OF minor
considerations.
Daylight saving was adopted in this
country for the following reasons:
l. Because It proved success In
twelve European countries
2. Because It would bring our time
into uniformity with Europe. our ex-
changes being particularly interested
in this.
g. Because It would save about one
| quarter of the peoples gas bills.
T. Because Il would save about
million and a quarter tons Of coal used
in the manufacture OF gas and electric
current.
gardening.
g. because It would give added op-
portunity for healthful sports and
| recreation during summer afternoons.
I. Because II would relieve workers
from the strain of the last hours work
in the heat OF tho afternoon. subsutut-
ing an hour in the cooler morning.
s. Because II reduced the number OF
Industrial accidents In factories and
on the way home from work.
All the above mentioned advantages
and many more have been secured by
the operation of this very simple plan.
Every fair minded citizen will agree
| with me that II this or any other
| legislation is TO be attacked 1t should
be done openly and frankly and that
the scheme which was resorted TO of
attaching a rider TO the agricultural
appropriation bill to repeal daylight
saving Is certainly not American. II
any interests attempt to take away
what is considered great economic
and social blessing by the great mass
of our citizenship. let it be threshed
out In the open.
The American Federation OF Labor
and local unions the women's clubs and
chambers of commerce have favored
and continue to indorse the daylight
saving act We hope that this and
other blessings which came to us as
by-products OF terrible war may con-
tlnue with us permanently.
| MARCUS NJ MARKS,
President National Daylight Saving
| Association.
| Nun YOpIy Nav %