222 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



weekly period l'or the employers" and employees' contributions to provide 

 the best designed pension system for old age. 



Then, feeling that the time had arrived to publicly advocate the 

 reform, my book on " The Eational Almanac/' was published in 1905. 



Since that time increasing interest has been aroused by the advocacy 

 for reform m both Europe and America. The celebrated French 

 astronomer, Camille Flammarion, with others in Germany, etc., have 

 joined with Lord Avebury, Sir ISJorman Lockyer, Sir Oliver Lodge, 

 Mr. Alex. Philip, and other British advocates, in urging for improve- 

 ment. 



Sir Sandford Fleming, who is so widely known for his valuable 

 experience in the establishment of International " Standard Time " has 

 personally told you " that the desired change can he effected I have no 

 doubt whatever." Such testimonies commend the subject to your con- 

 sideration. Now he has pointed out the right course to take. 



As investigators have almost unanimously been led to realize the 

 world-wide advantages which would result in everyday convenience to 

 us all if the odd 365th day of the year (beyond the 52 weeks of 7 days) 

 could be calendared without a week-day name to obviate the changing 

 week-day names of dates through successive years, by simply naming 

 " Christmas " or "^ New Year's " day apart from week-day names ; which 

 of the two is best may be left as a matter of detail for an international 

 conference to decide. Similarly the minor question of the proposed 

 fixity of Easter may suitably be left open for the churches to consider 

 as the masses of the people evidence desire for a permanent almanac, 

 bearing in mind the main point that the church and Sabbath were made 

 for men, and not men for those worthy institutions. 



To fit working weeks into months and quarters is the most impor- 

 tant consideration to aim at in almanac reform. Whether that can be 

 best done by three months of 30 days, plus one public holiday as a 

 dies non each quarter, or two months of 30 days plus one of 31 da3rs, 

 as Mr. Philip and others have suggested (possibly without the world- 

 wide consideration needed), or whether the thirteen months of four 

 weeks each, as I originally proposed in the years 1896 to 1899, or some 

 other scheme should be adopted, are subject to discussion, and whatever 

 is best should prevail for public convenience. 



It is important that we should consider the best methods that 

 have been suggested by persons who have given most thouglit and investi- 

 gation to the subject of simplifying our months. As these can be readily 

 grouped under four typical methods. A, B, C, and D, and will be easiest 

 understood in comparative form, the Comparative Table for A, B, C, and 

 D is printed opposite. 



