The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-12
DAYLIGHT SAVING.
Both Sides Discussed by Residents OF
the City and the Country.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: A
year ago the daylight saving act went
into effect and during the last summer
seemed to give absolute satisfaction to
a large proportion OF the people of the
United States SO emphatic was this
approval that at one time II was con-
tcmplated making the act effective for
the twelve months of the year. This
legislation fortunately was not enacted,
as for reasons which may appear clear
upon closer consideration Il would really
have defeated for q period of a few
months the very object 1t was sought
to attain.
During the summer months, however,
the new order seems to have brought
about q fulflment of every anticipated
advantage. Fuel and light were con-
served In no small measure. foreign
trade conditions were aided by main
tanning throughout the year q similar
difference Of time between our cities
on the Atlantic coast and the European
capitals and seaports. and above all
the extra hour Of daylight and sunshine
meant added recreation, exercise and
health to millions of workers.
Why. then, the sudden demand for .
repeal of an act which means so much
for so many? There may be some basis
for the complaint Of the farmer, but at
hest, except in a few isolated instances
an easy adjustment OF working hours
to the new conditions would solve the
difficulty.
Each farmer works relatively indie
pendently. and such adjustment, IL found
advisable, Is quite feasible. In urban
communities, where Industries are in a
large measure related at least in some
degree to each other, such adjustment
Is not practicable except as to the en-
tire community. The farmer loses sight
Of the fact that his hours of rising and
of work vary in any event with the
season and the sun, while the city
toiler is more a creature of habit In
this regard. his rising time as rule
being tho same all the year round.
1t may be that the added productive
ness Of home gardens because of the
extra hour OF daylight will mean greater
competition for the farmer. 1t may
even be assumed that the farmer whose
product is sent to neighboring city
each morning Is inconvenienced by the
change of the hour Of rising. but even
conceding that these factors give some
basis for complaint on the part OF the
agricultural worker 1t Is to be doubted
whether they warrant q curtailment OF
the time for health giving exercise and
recreation which is now vouchsafed the
large number Of workers in factories,
stores and commercial enterprises gen.
orally.
It is asserted that gas and electric
| light companies throughout the country
| are among those pressing for repeal,
but It is hardly conceivable that the
heads Of important enterprises should
take the absolutely narrow view Of self
interest against the benefits to be OBJ
| tained for the many millions.
The matter Is certainly OF sufficient
Importance that those who favor the
present conditions should not sit su-
pinely by fand view an attempt to de-
prive the workers OF, this country Of
| benefit which those of all European
countries except Germany are receiv-
ing Every man and woman who Is op-
posed to the repeal of the daylight saw
| ing law should communicate at once
with his representatives in Washington
| In the House and in the Senate.
ARTHUR LEHMAN.