1889-90.] SCIENTIFIC TIME RECKOXING. 231 



tute a single series of hours numbered from o to 24. This change was 

 resolved upon by the Washington Conference with respect to the 

 Universal day. 



20. The old practice of dividing the day into separate sets of twelve 

 hours, however it arose, has not only no advantage to recommend it, but 

 the usage has been found to have positive disadvantages, which have 

 been brought into prominence within the past generation. The division 

 of the day into halves, doubles the chance of error and tends to con- 

 fusion in connection with the running of railway trains. The mis-print 

 or mistake of a single letter, A.M. for P.M. or vice versa will easily arise to 

 cause inconvenience, loss of time, possibly loss of property, or loss of life. 



21. The 24 hour notation, so called, removes all doubt and uncertainty 

 and promotes safety. Where it has been adopted in Canada there is no 

 ambiguity, moreover the change has been effected without difficulty and 

 without danger. The hours having a lower number than twelve are 

 known to belong absolutely to the first part of the day,[and those having 

 a higher number to the afternoon and evening. 



22. The 24 hour notation is strongly recommended by prominent men 

 in Russia, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Great Britain, 

 indeed, it may be said in every country in Europe. It is brought into 

 daily use on the great lines of telegraph leading from England to Egypt, 

 India, China, Australia, and South Africa. It is received with very great 

 favour in America. It has been in use for nearly four years on 2354 

 miles of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and for nearly three years on the 

 Canadian Government Railway, the Intercolonial, 986 miles in length. 

 The Managers of these railways and all the employees speak of the 24 

 hour notation in the highest terms. It is the only system in use at this 

 date north of the 49th parallel and west of the 89th meridian. There is 

 not a Province in Canada where it is not already in use. It has been 

 adopted on the railways in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward 

 Island, Manitoba, Assiniboia, Alberta, British Columbia, and partly in 

 Quebec and Ontario ; so satisfactory are the results of the new notation 

 that it has been determined to extend its application, and it- is expected 

 that before long it will be in general use for railway purposes throughout 

 the Dominion. 



23. In the United States a strong expression of opinion in favour of the 

 24 hour notation has been obtained. The American Society of Civil En- 

 gineers, deeply concerned in the perfection of the railway system of the 

 Republic, has, since the year 1880, taken an active interest in time reform. 

 This Society led the way in preparing the minds of men for the general 

 acceptance of the Hour Zone system six years ago, and since then it has 



