SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS, 4] 
Maine and the Pacific States of Washington, Oregon and California, 
the difference in time is nearly 4 hours. The railway system is de- 
veloping in a marvellous manner in the United States ; the popula- 
tion is ten times that of Canada. If, therefore, the question of 
Time-reckoning claims attention in the Dominion, the necessity of its 
earnest consideration in the United States is still more manifest. 
The American Metrological Society has had the subject under con- 
sideration. A careful report has been prepared, setting forth the 
necessity for change, and advocating uniformity and accuracy in the 
system of time-reckoning. From this report it appears that there 
are no less than seventy-five distinct local time Standards used by the 
Railways of the country, all differing the one from the other, the 
greatest difference reaching 3 hours and 58 minutes. The most 
prominent Railway managers have been consulted, and with the ex- 
ception of a small minority, they have placed on record the opinion 
that “a uniform Time” would not only be a great convenience to the 
public and to the Railway employees, but would materially lessen the 
risk of accidents. It is accordingly strongly recommended that some 
means be taken to establish an absolute uniformity of Time through- 
out North America. 
Mr. Sandford Fleming, by whom the Intercolonial Railway of 
Canada was constructed, and who is now Engineer-in-Chief of the 
railway in process of construction to the Pacific, has had his atten- 
tion directed to the inconveniences, confusion, and complications in 
Time-reckoning which are threatened by the rapid extension of the 
railway works under his charge, and he has suggested a_ practical 
solution of the difficulties which he foresees. 
The question is likewise of general scientific interest ; and its 
solution is of value far beyond Canada, for it involves a question in 
which all civilized peoples are concerned. If uniformity be desirable 
in Canada and the United States, may it not be equally important to 
employ it throughout the whole world? Does it not therefore be- 
come desirable to seek the co-operation of men of science in other 
countries, and, if possible, gain general concurrence in any scheme 
which may be proposed 4 
At the instance of His Excellency the Governor-General of Can- 
ada, the subject was brought under the notice of the Royal Society 
of England. That distinguished scientific body has recently for- 
warded a communication to His Excellency, of which the following 
is an extract :— 
“The President and Council of the Royal Society have taken into 
‘“‘consideration the proposals of Mr. Sandford Fleming, relative to 
“Time-reckoning and to the establishment of a Prime Meridian, 
“‘ which were forwarded by the Council of the Canadian Institute, 
“with a memorial to His Excellency the Governor-General of 
“¢ Canada. 
