BROOKLYN’S PLAN TO SAVE DAYLIGHT (1917)
******************************************************************************************************************************** Brownstone Detectives investigates the history of our clients’ homes. The story you are about to read was composed from research conducted in the course of one of those investigations. Do you know the history of YOUR house? ******************************************************************************************************************************** It’s difficult to believe that just over 100 years ago there was opposition to Brooklyn’s plan to “save daylight.” But in 1917, when Brooklyn State Senator Calder was talking up his “Daylight Saving” idea, many future-opponents started, at that time, to smell (and prepare for) a fight. As such, when the bill was actually lodged the following year, these opponents of sunlight came out from the dark in full force with every reason NOT to have daylight saving – under the sun: (1.) The theaters would go out of business, as no one wants to attend while the sun is still shining. (2.) The Bible is opposed to it – read Joshua, chapter 10, where he fought the Amorites – during the battle of which God held the sun from going down for one hour – long enough for Joshua to win his battle. (3.) Too much sun is bad for us, claimed some doctors. (4.) Steamship and railway lines would suffer, as their adjusted timetables would confuse passengers. (5.) It violated Home Rule, said Governor Al Smith. The reasons were as endless as they were interesting. But just as the sun will rise tomorrow, so was it eventual that Daylight Saving would come. In the end, the measure won the […]
