The New York herald., 1922-01-01
By STERLING HELLO.

Special Correspondence TO THE NEW YORK
HERALD
PARIS. Dec "a.
TF al goes az ts probable or possible this
IN ta.e last New Years Day that will
ever anne on Sunday! Or tfor that
matter) on a Saturday. or Friday. Thursday
Wednesday. or Tuesday-because New Years
Day will always come on a Mondayt
1t will be dIe to governmental action In
the various countries, similar to that which
adopted the present calendar in use, after a
conference of astronomers called by Pope
Gregory Kill, in 15S2--if the Governments
of to-day are as prompt to act as were those
old fellows in favor of a needed improve
ment.
Vatican Calls Conference of
Astronomers for Reform of Calendar
AS fact, the news Is official from Rome
that the Vatican has decided to call such a
conference of astronomers for a reform of
the calendar and the fixing of Easter and
other movable feasts to definite dates
The necessary preliminary arrangements
are under way. and Cardinal Mercier has
been appointed to preside over the confer
ence, whose meetings are to begin next
April.
It's main purpose Is to reform the existing
calendar on a scientific basis which shall
insure that the same dates shall always fall
on the same week days. and put an end 70
the irrational dependence of Easter on an
imaginary Paschal Moon, by making it and
other holidays which depend on it fixed
feast
It will give the year proper 364 days Of
exactly SO weeks, divided into four quarters
Of 81 days Cor exactly 13 weeks) each
each quarter having, each exactly like the
others, two 80 day months and one 81 day
month. Each year will be preceded by an
extraordinary novelty-a holiday with
name nameless day of rest and recreation
which will be neither day Of the month nor
of the week.
Christma Day will always fall on Mon
day Easter Day will be fixed to April IA
every year 1t will always be a Sunday;
and the other now movable church festivals
associated with it will become automatically
fixed dates.
The Year 1898 Sees
New Years on Monday
The year 1928, which happens N
present system to commence on a Monday,
will be peculiarly suitable to make the
change. Each subsequent year in the new
system would begin on Monday. without
effort or corfuson-as also would every
quarter. TO De All Oh the SdIHe leHslh eaCH
containing exactly thirteen weeks.
With a calendar reformed on these lines,
there would really be no need for yearly
almanacs for ordinary folks (apart from
year -books).
Schoolchildren will learn quite easily all
that is needed for locating oneself in the
year; and there need be no puzzling of the
brain or turning up of almanacs to know
when holidays, &C.. will occur in any year.
1t is only right to mention children. Long
ago, in the previous reform of the calendar,
they were April-fooled and buncoed on
gigantic scale. Now. as they are going to
get back a bit of their own, the pitiful
story may be appropriately referred to.
In the old days. before the change, Easter
as everybody does not know a double
header-Easter was alAo New Years. with
the old, fixed custom Of handsome and sub
stantial gifts to all children.
What howl the children of the Christian
world set up, between the years 1865 and