"New Calendar" Progress

New Calendar Propgress

President George Eastman of the Eastman Kodak Co. last week received replies from the 1,000 businessmen whose opinions he had recently asked on the 13-month calendar he advocates. Practically every one approved the calender. The United States Chamber of Commerce national counselors in conference at West Baden, Ind., a month ago approved it; the transportation committee of the League of Nations has approved it. Quite possibly the legislatures of important countries will vote its adoption. Its chief obstacles, apparently, are the customs of various religions.

Mr. Eastman's calender is the device of Moses B. Cotsworth of England. Each month has 28 days, thus:

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Thirteen such months give 364 days. But there are 365.242 days in each year. The 13th month and the extra day and a fraction are disposed of in this wise: The month is inserted in the calendar between June and July and called Sol, because during it would come the summer solstice. The full extra day would come at the end of the year and be called International Day, Dec. 29 or Jan. 0. There remains practically a quarter day, which every four years could be counted an accumulated full day. This would be inserted between June and Sol, as June 29 or Sol 0. *

Putting the Eastman-Cotsworth calendar to use would be best and least confusing in a year when Jan. 1 fell on a Sunday. Such a year will be 1928, too soon for legislatures to act. However, 1935 also begins on Sunday.

*Calendar revisions every few centuries, such as was made in 1582, will take care of the gradually accumulated thousandths of a solar day.