Trans. N. Y. Ac. Sez. © OU Jan, 16, 
Whereas, Since the creation of a vast system of artificial lines of 
rapid transit and telegraphic communication, extending through wide 
differences of longitude upon both continents, great confusion in time 
reckoning has arisen in consequence of the use, throughout the same 
districts of country, of the differing times of many local meridians ; 
and, 
Whereas, The actual time in use at any place is generally arbitrary 
and at variance, often by many minutes, with the true local time of 
such place; and, 
Whereas, Such differences between true and arbitrary time are in 
no way practically disadvantageous in the affairs of life, when univers- 
ally understood and observed ; and, 
Whereas, It is practicable, by referring the times of all places on the 
globe to a limited number ot meridians suitably chosen, to create a 
time-system for the world, so nearly uniform that the minute and the 
second shall everywhere oe same, and the times of places widely diff- 
ering in longitude shall differ only by entire hours—a system of great 
simplicity and likely to be conducive to the convenience of all man- 
kind ; therefore, 
Resolved, That this Association approves and recommends to the 
favorable consideration of the governments of all nations, as well as to 
all scientific associations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade, and 
telegraphic and transportation companies, a time-system for the world, 
founded on the following principles: 
1. Twenty-four standard meridians to be fixed upon, distant from 
each other fifteen degrees, or one hour each, in longitude, to which, and. 
to which only, the arbitrary local times kept at all places on the earth's. 
surface shall be referred. 
2. The prime meridian, or that by reference to which the positions 
of all the remaining one-hour meridians are to be determined, to be 
the meridian situated in longitude one hundred and eighty degrees, or 
twelve hours, distant from the meridian of Greenwich, which prime 
meridian passes near Behring’s Strait and lies almost wholly on the 
ocean. 
3. The diurnal change of count in the monthly calendar to begin 
when it is midnight on this prime meridian, and the same change to. 
take place for the several meridians successively, until the circuit of 
the globe has been completed from east to west. 
4. The hour of the day at any place to be regulated by the fideo 
meridian nearest such place in longitude, it being reckoned as twelve 
o’clock, noon, at the moment the mean sun passes such standard meri- 
dian. The minute and second to be the same at all times and for all 
places throughout the earth. 
