EIGHTH ORDINARY MEETING. 71 



must equally join in the common satisfaction in tlie measure of suc- 

 cess which has been achieved. 



Six years back, when the subject was discussed in this hall, there 

 were probably not a few who viewed the propositions then submitt(^d 

 as merely fanciful theories. Others who did not refuse to recognize 

 their bearing, entertained the feeling that many grave difficulties 

 presented themselves to interfere with any successful attempt to 

 reform or modify usages so ancient as the computation of time. But 

 the Institute, as a body, was hopeful. The action taken by the Council 

 to extend the field of discussion and awaken the attention of foreign 

 communities, evinced confidence, and we may now ask, was this 

 confidence justified? What are the facts to-day"? Twelve months 

 have passed since an important change in the notation of Railway 

 Time was made with general approval throughout the length and 

 breadth of North America, a revolution in the iisages of sixty millions 

 of people has been silently effected and with scarcely a trace that it 

 has happened. A proceeding which has been followed by events of 

 equal importance. On the 1st of October last a body of accredited 

 delegates from the difierent nations, on the invitation of the Presi- 

 dent of the United States, met in confei-ence to consider the problem 

 first submitted to the world by this Institute. The delegates were 

 the representatives of twenty-five (25) civilized nations. The con- 

 ference continued during the whole month of October, and, as a body, 

 they came to conclusions affecting all peoples living under our 

 theories of civilization. 



It was early understood that a determination with respect to Uni- 

 versal Time was not possible without the general recognition of an 

 initial meridian. Hence the importance attached to its choice, 

 that it should be universally accepted. 



For many years attempts have been made to eff'ect the establish- 

 ment of an initial meridian recognized in common by all nations, 

 :but every attempt hitherto had proved completely unsuccessful. It 

 is therefore the greater cause for congratulation, that the efforts of 

 the Washington conference have succeeded in its determination. 



The discussions of the conference were long, and being carried on 

 in different languages, could not have Ijeen of equal interest to all 

 -present. Translations became necessary, so that all the delegates 

 might equally understand the propositions which were daily submit- 

 ted. This .necessary course prolonged the sessions and multiplied 



