Fall back, spring forward

Changing clocks every so often may be a thing of the past.

The regular shift from Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time and back again is under scrutiny.

Originally, Daylight Saving Time was initiated to save energy, improve worker productivity and make better use of natural daylight. It was first used in the United States and other parts of the world during World War I. Soon thereafter it was eliminated. Again in World War II it was ordered that clocks be reset for daylight saving.

Then, for a while, regular or standard time was used. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 reestablished Daylight Saving Time.

Switching clocks back and forth became a fixture since. Many countries have various versions of a daylight saving program.

In the United States, only two states do not. Both Arizona and Hawaii have opted out. In Arizona, a traveller can pass through three time zones without leaving the state.

Recent studies have shown that little if any energy is saved by moving the clocks to give more daylight in the evenings.

All the program really accomplishes is to sow confusion.

A recent Associated Press poll indicates that only 30 percent of the nation wants to maintain the clock changes. The rest want them to end. The only question is to change it to what.

About 40 percent want to return permanently to standard time and leave it alone. A third want daylight savings made permanent. Thus, once we spring forward, we leave the clocks alone forever.

Arizona would object because one of the complaints is that they spend more on air conditioning during daylight saving than they could ever save.

Several states are pushing for permanent Daylight Saving Time, but they cannot change until the federal government legislates it.

In all, numerous advantages can be cited for whatever time is decided upon. Numerous disadvantages are also claimed.

The current move in the United States is to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, year-round and irrevocable.

The various influencers, such as retail on one side and farmers on the other, will have to argue their case. Retailers claim that shoppers are more active when it is light out. Farmers do not need artificial times which can interfere with their work and delay morning work.

As for the president, he says “making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me.”

Gordon Forgey

Publisher