1889-90.] SCIENTIFIC TIME RECKONING. 227 



MEMORANDUM ON THE MOVEMENT FOR RECKONING 

 TIME ON A SCIENTIFIC BASIS, BY WHICH THE 

 GREATEST POSSIBLE DEGREE OF SIMPLICITY, AC- 

 CURACY, AND UNIFORMITY WILL BE OBTAINABLE 

 IN ALL COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 



By Sandford Fleming, C.E., C.M.G., LL.D. 



(Read joth November, i88g.) 



1. Notwithstanding the great advance which has been made during 

 the present century, in all the Arts and Sciences and their application to 

 the affairs of human life, the reckoning of time is still in a primitive con- 

 dition in many countries and in an imperfect condition in every country. 

 Difficulties have been developed since the introduction of rapid means 

 of communication, through the twin agencies steam and electricity, 

 which when examined prove that time is computed generally on princi- 

 ples which are untenable. The world's time-reckoning is in fact an 

 exceedingly complicated combination ; it is productive of confusion and 

 the confusion is apt to be increased and intensified as population in- 

 creases and lines of rapid communication are multiplied. 



2. During the last ten years efforts have been made to overcome the 

 evils referred to by establishing a remedial system on a sound scientific 

 basis which would be acceptable to all nations and by which perfect 

 accuracy, uniformity, and simplicity would everywhere be obtainable. 



3. The subject has been carefully considered by many individuals and 

 by Scientific Societies in Europe and America. It has been discussed 

 at Geographical and Geodetic Congresses at Venice and Rome ; and at 

 Conventions of Scientists and practical business men in America. On 

 all these occasions the solution of the problem has been promoted. As 

 an outcome of these various meetings and efforts, the President of the 

 United States, under the authority of an Act of Congress, invited the 

 Governments of all civilized nations to appoint delegates to meet in 

 conference at Washington to consider the whole question and take 

 decisive action in respect thereto. 



4. The Washington Conference embraced delegates from twenty-five 

 nations, they had eight sessions, the first was held on 1st October, 1884, the 

 last on 1st November following. After patient deliberation and discussion 

 the object of this International Conference was accomplished by the 



