The following will illustrate the problem the telephone industry faces because of lack of time uniformity: (1) The number of long-distance calls handled each day in the United States is approximately 14.2 million. In a year, this amounts to between 4 and 5 billion calls. Many of these cross time zones or are between daylight and standard time points in the same zone. With this great volume of telephonic transactions, lack of time uniformity inevitably creates appreciable confusion. There is an increase of "don't answers," and an unnecessary, nonproductive use of circuits and of operator and equipment time. (2) Many telephone operations for reasons of efficiency and economy are consolidated in larger communities. These centers often serve a number of tributary exchanges. Some companies operating in centers which are on daylight time have tributaries which are on standard time. This poses costly problems, as will be seen: (a) The mechanical timing devices (calculagraphs) are set to the time of the toll center location. On calls between two different zones the time stamp is incorrect for timing tributary toll calls and for this reason requires the making of an operator notation on the toll ticket to insure against mistakes in charging day calls at night rates or vice versa. (b) Plant men working out of a toll center city and doing telephone installation work in a tributary locality require special schedule consideration in order to avoid inconvenience to customers. (c) Uncertainty is encountered in planning hourly operator requirements and in work scheduling of plant personnel. (d) Embarrassing and sometimes costly confusion results when a toll center operator, in a town on daylight time, is asked for the time of day by a subscriber served out of a tributary exchange in a town on standard time. The person calling from a tributary wants to know what the time is in his own town. The telephone operator may think he wants to know the time in the toll center where she is located. (3) Lack of time uniformity stimulates assistance calling and makes the keeping of standard or uniform operator records difficult. The services of two operators, one at each of the two offices involved, are required on this type of assistance call. Such assistance calls utilize toll circuit facilities for which the telephone company derives no revenue. (4) Preparation of operator records showing time options of communities frequently called, and the training of operators, are burdensome and costly. We estimate this unnnecessary expense in our segment of the industry amounts to $50,000 annually. (5) A striking example of loss in revenue from lack of time uniformity involves "after 9 p.m." calling from Georgia and Florida to the Northeastern United States during the summer months. These two States have elected to stay on standard time. Reduced rate calls after 9 p.m. reach the Northeastern States after 10 p.m. Since calls placed that late frequently inconvenience the called party there is less telephoning. This means a loss of revenue. To avoid inconvenience an effort is made to place calls immediately after 9 p.m. This results in congestion of telephone facilities, loss of revenue, and inconvenience to the public. The pyramiding of calls at a particular time complicates the work "forcing" or scheduling of operators at the switchboards. The foregoing bears upon the difficulties of independent telephone companies and their subscribers. Any user of long-distance service can testify to his own inconvenience. Inability to reach a called party because of a difference in time. unnecessary expense of a station-to-station call when the desired party has not reached his office or has left for the day, and receipt of a call at an inconvenient hour are examples of the irritation and annoyance that stem from the present unsatisfactory situation. We appreciate the opportunity to submit this statement, and hope that the hearings on the subject matter will eventuate in corrective legislation. Sincerely yours, WILLIAM C. MOTT, Executive Vice President. Hon. HARLEY O. STAGGERS, ASSOCIATION OF OIL PIPE LINES, Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce and Finance, DEAR CONGRESSMAN STAGGERS: As general counsel of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, I would like to state that the oil pipeline industry strongly supports the statement made by Robert Ramspeck, national chairman of the committee for time uniformity, which was made before your subcommittee in June 1964. In particular, we support the position which is set forth in his statement on page 10 which reads as follows: "It is the official position of this organization, however, that Congress should adopt the recommendations of the ICC which are embodied in both H.R. 4702 and H.R. 7891. This would mean that the future observance of both standard and daylight saving time would be assured at Federal, State, and local levels, including interstate commerce. "In the event, however that you would not choose to require such mandatory observance by State and local interests we then would urge you to approve H.R. 11483, which is identical to the bill (S. 1033) unanimously reported last year by the Senate Commerce Committee. Otherwise, we would urge you to approve of any of the other pending bills which you feel would best achieve nationwide time uniformity." The oil pipeline industry operates 204,000 miles of crude oil and petroleum products pipelines in 49 States of the United States. The oil pipelines transport approximately 172 percent of the Nation's total ton-miles of intercity traffic. At the present time there are 148,000 miles of crude oil lines which link over 500,000 oil wells located in 30 States with nearly 300 active oil refineries. The refineries are connected with distribution centers of petroleum products by 56,000 miles of products lines. There are approximately 90 interstate oil pipeline companies which report to and are regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission. For the most part, the operations of these companies are far flung and pass through several States. In order that the right crude oil and the right product is properly delivered to the shippers, the scheduling of the movements is of the utmost importance. Proper scheduling calls for timely and accurate communications. Adequate communications become more and more difficult as a result of the "clock confusion" growing out of the lack of time uniformity between States and between points in the various States. In order to remove the existing time confusion, we respectfully urge that you approve legislation which you feel would best bring about nationwide time uniformity. Sincerely yours, GORDON C. LOCKE, General Counsel. MUNCIE, IND., August 1, 1964. Hon. HARLEY O. STAGGERS, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE STAGGERS: H. H. Horner has informed me of the time hearing to take place August 4. This is to say that I hope voters will be given proper consideration at this hearing. Did you know that Indiana voters elected year around central standard time on an official State time referendum but had fast time crammed down their throats because of pressure on the Interstate Commerce Commission by members of the chamber of commerce? Did you know that Michigan voters elected year around central standard time years ago but that Detroit industrialists forced the faster time on Michigan residents? Did you know that Kentucky legislators (represented by the voters) enacted a perfectly good standard time law a few years ago but that members of the Louisville Chamber of Commerce hired a lawyer to get the law to be declared unconstitutional? I have a copy of H. R. 3114 which you introduced in January 1963. If the one that you are to consider next week is like it we heartily endorse it. Please remember that there was no time confusion until some indiscreet mind started so-called daylight saving. We are very eager that any new bill abolish clock changing, name strict penalty for violation and specify who is responsible for enforcement. I have heard many folks say, "I don't care what time we run on just so we stay on the same time all year." I would hate to think that I couldn't get up at 7 o'clock instead of 8 without messing up the clock. Sincerely, SPURNED VOTERS OF INDIANA, LOTTIE C. BROWN, Clerk THE AMERICAN WATERWAYS OPERATORS, INC., Hon. HARLEY O. STAGGERS, Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce and Finance, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE STAGGERS: We understand the Subcommittee on Commerce and Finance of the House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee will hold public hearings June 18 and 19 on H.R. 7891, H.R. 4702, and other bills designed to establish a uniform system of time in the United States. The Board of Directors of the American Waterways Operators, Inc., has authorized us to advise your committee of the support of our members throughout the United States of a uniform system of time standards and measurement. The present lack of uniformity creates confusion in many instances for our members in their work to provide transportation services in the movement of freight over the inland waterways. Confusion in communications also results. The confusion is not only aggravating but it is also a costly burden to the transportation industry. Specifically, this organization desires to be recorded in the hearings as supporting the objectives sought in H.R. 7891, which you introduced, and H.R. 4702, introduced by Chairman Oren Harris, which, with some minor differences, reflect the reasoned recommendations of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The American Waterways Operators, Inc., is a nonprofit, membership trade association representing the national interests of the shallow-draft water carriers of the United States as well as ship builders, ship repairers, and terminals serving the inland carriers. Our members' operations serve 33 States of the Union and, I am sure, their interest in time uniformity is evident. We shall appreciate your consideration of this association's support, on behalf of its membership, of the efforts to achieve uniformity in time standards for the United States. Sincerely yours, BRAXTON B. CARR, President. Hon. HARLEY O. STAGGERS, THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO., Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce and Finance, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reference to the recent hearings held by your subcommittee on H.R. 11483. This bill relates to the establishment of a system of time standards and measurement for the United States and to require or promote the observance of time standards for all purposes. Western Union, by the very nature of its business, is directly interested in anything which may develop concerning the proposed legislation. The element of time plays an important part in our day-to-day operations. This company has joined other interested groups in supporting the objective of the committee on time uniformity. Current operations of this company provide the flexibility necessary to adapt to whatever time may be observed despite any variation that may exist as between communities, States, or regions. From the point of view of the telegraph user, particularly the traveling public, the various time differences are very confusing. We, therefore, earnestly support the objectives of the foregoing legislation in the interest of greater efficiency, simplification, and uniformity. Accordingly, we favor the provisions of H.R. 11483. Sincerely, K. W. HEBERTON, Vice President. Hon. HARLEY O. STAGGERS, CITIZENS FOR STANDARD TIME, Chairman, Subcommittee on Foreign and Interstate Commerce, MR. CHAIRMAN: I, Mrs. Ray Thies, request this letter be placed before the committee hearing on the standard time bills as testimony against bills that favor daylight saving time or that create the illusion of standard time by arranging subzones that change standards every 6 months and that may change boundaries when pressure groups have the whim to do so, encouraging more confusion rather than eliminating it. Daylight saving time may have been advantageous a generation ago when the working forces were on 48 or more hours a week. However, that day has long since vanished with a few exceptions. The pleasure it gives to some in late afternoon who already are favored with 35- to 40-hour weeks and more leisure than ever before (more paid holidays and longer vacations) does not warrant the detriment it inflicts on others. Daylight saving time deprives many whose occupations begin at early hours of adequate rest at either and sometimes both ends of the day. Further, I prayerfully urge the committee to take a look on the figures on delinquency since the advent of daylight saving time. Daylight saving time gives the youth a longer evening with nothing to do and all too much time to do it in. It is a well-known fact idleness breeds delinquency. One Chicago judge stated some time ago if the youth could be kept off the street corners delinquency would be cut by 75 percent. Certainly that it worth noting. In closing I should like the committee to consider the small portion of my list of persons who have carried petitions urging Congress to return the Nation to standard time. Many petitions have been sent to Hon. Oren Harris, of Arkansas, to Hon. Harley O. Staggers, of West Virginia, and to Hon. Kenneth J. Gray, of Illinois. Others were sent to numerous Congressmen in various areas of the Nation. I pray the committee will take cognizance of the thousands of signatures and regard them as citizens instead of mere names. A more complete list with number of signatures on the petitions has been forwarded during previous Congresses with the request they were to be kept for a hearing. I hope the chairman makes these available. Sincerely, MABEL THIES (The attachments referred to were placed in the committee files.) CITIZENS FOR STANDARD TIME, Murphysboro, Ill. Hon. OREN HARRIS, Chairman, House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Citizens for Standard Time respectively request this opportunity to submit this statement and views concerning two standard time bills, H.R. 2335 and H.R. 2532, both are identical with a provision eliminating daylight saving time, both are designed to make standard time the measure of time for all governmental and business purposes returning our country back to standard time nationally. Before the adoption of U.S. standard time in 1883 the country observed over 100 times. Daylight saving time is gradually causing our Nation to drift back as before 1883 when confusion reigned supreme. A cross-country traveler had to change his watch 20 times, Wisconsin had 38 different times; Illinois 27; Pittsburgh 6, and in Kansas City each jeweler had his own time and no two were alike. We're gradually heading for that same goal today, and in some areas of our United States today practically the same situation exists during the observance of daylight saving time. What if daylight time is popular? That's not the point, the object is to know what time it is; not when it was; or if it's going to be; but to know it certainly and without losing time researching local customs. In 1918 Congress enacted our present law establishing the standard time and what later became known as daylight saving time for the United States. At the time of the enactment of this law, they didn't and couldn't visualize the transportation or communication systems we have today, for 6 months of the year 36-471-64-10 this has resulted in our having 12 different kinds of time at one time in the United States. It is said that no person, agency, or central source of information that can give you the time of the respective cities or villages throughout the United States during daylight saving time without consulting charts or maps to ascertain the boundary of the time zones or ordinances or laws of the cities, villages, or States. Standard time nationally will eliminate the following: The annoyance of setting and resetting over 90 million timepieces on the effective and termination dates of daylight saving time; and the costly explanation of time variation throughout the United States on nationwide television and radio broadcasts; confusion and delay at the information desks and ticket offices in the railroad, airlines, and bus depots explaining the time of arrival and departure. If your committee could only visualize the frustration of the traveler from the South and Southwest on their arrival at Union Station, St. Louis, Mo., when they encounter advance time, some have never heard of this foolish time, many are the missed connections resulting in layovers in most instances from 6 to 23 hours at their own expense, I personally know of this particular situation and I'm quite certain the same exists in other major terminals over the Nation. One Member of Congress informed me 4 years ago that on a speaking tour through Ohio and Indiana-and at that particular time Indiana was observing five different times throughout the State-he finally got so confused that he gave up in disgust and canceled all engagements, returning to Washington a devoted supporter of standard time. The Citizens for Standard Time is a nonprofit organization that represents people from all walks of life and not any particular industry, institution, or special group; its purpose is to educate the people of the importance of a uniform standard time and the folly of our present tangled up web of time confusion. Those most affected in our organization by advanced time are the traveler, the farmer, schoolchildren, and mothers with small schoolchildren and babies; the traveler, everyone knows what they encounter with daylight saving time; the farmer's work is not guided by the clock, but rather by the sun-his is the basic industry of our Nation providing our economy with the necessary food and fiber for our survival. He is put to many great hardships in marketing his product, especially perishables. The schoolchildren in many instances in late autumn are waiting for the schoolbus along rural roadsides and major highways long before daylight-and in many instances those living back away from the bus stop have to walk as much as 1 mile to bus stops fumbling their way in the dark: there have been many fatal accidents attributed to the foolish time involving schoolbuses in early morning fog. I have many letters in my file from mothers across the Nation complaining of their difficulty in feeding small babies and getting children to bed with the sun high in the sky. Therefore, we the Citizens for Standard Time strongly support H.R. 2335 and vigorously oppose any legislation that allows the continuance of daylight saving time and the establishment of subzones; we contend the use of either or both will not resolve our time complex. We urge that Congress provide for establishment of a uniform standard time nationally without interference with the use of Greenwich time. We respectfully request this letter be made a part of the hearing and included in the record on the subject legislation. Sincerely, H. H. HORNER, National Chairman. AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, Hon. HARLEY O. STAGGERS, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN: We understand that the record relative to the recent hearings conducted by your committee on legislation pertaining to the time uniformity problem is still open for the acceptance of comments. While we did not participate in the hearings and have not prepared a formal statement in view of the substantial material presented by other interested parties, we would like to apprise you of our interest in this legislation and our position in respect to it. We, along with many others in the transportation business, have been concerned about the growing confusion respecting time observance. |