SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS. 41 



Maine and the Pacific States of Washington, Oregon and California, 

 the difference in time is nearly 4 honrs. 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 miiiutes. The most 

 prominent Railway managers have been consulted, and with the ex- 

 ception of a, small minoiity, 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 JSTorth 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 *t 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 1 



At the instance of His Excellency the Governor-G-eneral 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. 



