[eoTSwoRTH] THE NEED OF A " RATIONAL ALMANAC " 237 



less references annually are wasted by our present defective almanacs 

 and could be saVed perpetually by this reform, which would work Just as 

 easily as February does now each year. 



We have practical experience of that, and know how easily we work 

 in even the 29th day for Februarj' in Leap years because we record in 

 day-units and it is printed in our almanacs before that date arrives. — 

 Easier still would the " Model Month " always glide along, conferring 

 its perpetual benefits and conveniences upon us all because everybody 

 gladly accepts the day of nature as the inexorable unit of our lives. 



Just as surely as Constantine the Great had to lead his people to 

 forsake their quarter-moon periods and accept the fixed seven days week 

 for their common good, — so surely will the leaders of modem nations 

 carry into effect the natural sequence of adopting the fixed four weeks 

 per month now that the month has developed into such vastly greater 

 use than the quarter years. 



Your ex-president has reminded you of the effective diplomatic 

 means by which " Standard Time '' was so beneficially established 

 amongst all nations, by adherence to the fixed hour unit of change. 



But with all due deference it must be pointed out that the beneficial 

 changes proposed by the " Rational Almanac " could be applied with 

 even less trouble than that involved, and without a tithe of the trouble the 

 British Daylight Adjustment Act will cause, as after the Almanac Amend- 

 ment Act affecting each country is passed, and the printed almanacs cir- 

 culated, we should only have to press the day-lever on our watches once 

 as the " Dies-non " came round each year, to cause our daily almanac 

 worries to then disappear. 



Those nations who are wisely establishing governmental safeguards 

 to Contributory Pension Funds as the best means towa;rds ensuring ade- 

 quate provision for their workers in old age by encouraging thrifty well- 

 ordered lives by reward and thereby keeping down the cost of living to 

 strengthen their nation's welfare, are finding it highly desirable to save 

 clerical details and yet be just by requiring payments each four weeks as 

 Belgium, etc., are doing. 



Friendly, fraternall and other self-help societies, church and similar 

 organizations everywhere would benefit by the change — as well as the 

 dominant business people — in fact the 28 day month would help eveiy- 

 body. 



Justice would be meted out to monthly prisoners who would serve 

 28 days instead of varying 28 to 31. They would come out in a better 

 frame of mind and with clearer ideas as to what " a month " usually was, 

 whilst the nations would pennanently save 8 per cent of the cost of 

 maintaining them. 



