testimony I was asked to state the views of the Committee for Time Uniformity on S. 1394, introduced by Senator Robertson of Virginia on April 26, 1963. I stated that we had not then seen the latter bill. Since that time the steering committee of the Committee for Time Uniformity has reviewed Senator Robertson's proposal. In S. 1394 contemplates that the standard time of each established time zone would be advanced 1 hour between June 1 and September 1 of each year. essence, this would mean the equivalent of daylight saving time throughout the Nation during such annual period. States and political subdivisions thereof would be prohibited from observing time standards in conflict both with the above and with the applicability of the Standard Time Act of 1918 to other periods of the year. First, we commend Senator Robertson for his interest in time uniformity and his effort to help achieve it. Because of our longstanding and growing concern about "clock juggling" we appreciate all supporters of greater uniformity of time observance particularly Senator Robertson's assistance in stimulating congressional attention to this subject. His bill would, if enacted, certainly reflect substantial improvement over existing time practices in some sections of the Nation. Second, the Committee for Time Uniformity takes no position on the desirability of daylight saving time but it is greatly concerned about and anxious to achieve greater uniformity in whatever plan is adopted. Third, however, we would point out that the switchover dates specified in S. 1394, June 1 and September 1, are neither those most commonly observed in States utilizing daylight saving time nor those urged by the Committee for Time Uniformity, namely, the last Sundays in April and October. The 1963 survey of State time practices discloses that (1) 25 of 28 States on daylight saving time began on the last Sunday in April, (2) 15 of the 28 will end daylight saving time on the last Sunday in October, and (3) 15 of the 28 States will utilize both the last Sundays of April and October as switchover dates. Our committee has adopted these dates because they are the most commonly used and, therefore, would be the most desirable uniform dates for all daylight saving time States. Fourth, it will be noted that S. 1394 contains no enforcement or penalty provisions to assure that its uniform time requirements will be observed, a deficiency now present in the Standard Time Act of 1918. We understand that your committee has also agreed to hold the record open temporarily to receive from us the latest returns from our 1963 survey which were not received when I testified. At this time we have reports from 36 of the 50 States. Such new data, which may be related to the summary of State practices attached to my testimony, are summarized below: (1) The State Legislature of Oregon has approved local legislation, changing the statewide daylight saving time switchover date from the last Saturday in September to the last Sunday in October; and (2) Those counties in Ohio observing daylight saving time this year begin and end, respectively, on the last Sundays of April and October. It is respectfully requested that this letter be made a part of the official record of the hearing on the subject bills. Sincerely, ROBERT RAMSPECK, National Chairman. COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC., Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: CBS respectfully requests this opportunity to submit this statement concerning three bills, S. 1033, S. 1195, and S. 1394, which relate to the observance of time standards throughout the United States. S. 1033, designed to establish a uniform system of time standards for the United States, would divide the United States into eight time zones: Atlantic standard time, eastern standard time, central standard time, mountain standard time, Pacific standard time, Yukon standard time, Alaska-Hawaii standard time, and Bering standard time. The agency designated by Congress to administer the provisions of the act would be authorized to define the limits of these zones, as well as the limits of advanced-time subzones. During the period from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October of each year, areas designated as advanced-time subzones would be transferred and made part of the time zone immediately to the east. The agency would have authority to conduct hearings and investigations and consider petitions seeking the establishment or modification of the boundary of a zone or subzone. With certain exceptions, the time standards established under the act would be the exclusive time for the transaction of all public business and would be observed by all persons in their relations with the public. S. 1195, designed to establish a system of time standards for the United States and promote the uniform observance of these standards, also divides the United States into eight time zones. The administering agency would be the Secretary of Commerce who would be authorized to define the limits of zones and advancedtime subzones in a manner similar to that provided in S. 1033. Also as under S. 1033, S. 1195 provides that, during the period from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October of each year, a designated advanced-time subzone would be transferred and made part of the zone immediately to the east. The time standards established under S. 1195 would be exclusive only for the transaction of public business by Federal agencies and for common carriers engaged in interstate or foreign commerce or communication by wire or radio, but the Secretary of Commerce would be directed to foster widespread and uniform adoption of the standards by States and their political subdivisions. S. 1394 provides for uniform observance of daylight saving time throughout the United States during the months of June, July, and August. As the operator of a national television network and a national radio network, CBS regularly provides programs to approximately 200 affiliated television stations and approximately 220 affiliated radio stations. Through these stations, the CBS television network and the CBS radio network each serves substantially all of the people in the United States. Network program service is designed for broadcast by affiliated stations on a basis as nearly simultaneous as possible throughout the United States. For a number of reasons, including particularly time zone differentials, simultaneous broadcast by all stations is not always practicable. In the case of the CBS television network, for example, a program originating in New York at 8 p.m. is normally aired in the central time zone at 7 p.m. central standard time and in the mountain time zone at 6 p.m. mountain standard time. Since a simultaneous broadcast on the west coast would mean that the program would be broadcast at 5 p.m. Pacific standard time, which would be an unsuitable hour for an evening program, the program is usually rebroadcast on the west coast at 8 p.m. Pacific standard time. Many sports programs and news events, where simultaneous presentation is important, are transmitted for broadcast on a "live" basis only. During periods when daylight saving time is observed throughout parts of the United States, it is necessary for the television network to have double transmissions of many of its programs, and for the radio network to have as many as six transmissions, in order that the public will not be inconvenienced by changes in local times of broadcasts. It is not always possible, however, for the television network to provide double transmissions. A.T. & T. video facilities may be limited, or may not be available where television stations obtain their network service by means of off-air pickup of the signals of other stations. In these instances, some public inconvenience is inevitable. Lack of uniformity with respect to the period during which daylight saving time is observed means that people in some areas must view programs at unaccustomed hours. While areas in Virginia, West Virginia, Minnesota, and Wisconsin observe daylight saving time, they do not do so during the same period that daylight saving time is generally observed, and it is not feasible to provide special feeds of television network programs for some of these areas. For these reasons, CBS supports legislation that would provide for (a) uniform periods of time throughout the United States during which daylight saving time is observed and (b) uniform observance of daylight saving time. While S. 1033 and S. 1195 would, in our view, represent improvements in the direction of uniformity, neither of these measures would remove the inconvenience of varying time standards in scattered areas within a given time zone. Furthermore, both S. 1033 and S. 1195 provide, in lieu of daylight saving time, for the observance of "advanced time." We believe this concept, which in effect changes the zone of an area observing "advanced time," may cause some confusion. S. 1394, in contrast, meets the objectives of a uniform standard observed during a uniform period. CBS therefore supports S. 1394. Sincerely, THOMAS H. FISHER. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH Co., Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, U.S. Senate, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reference to the recent hearings held by your committee on S. 1033 and S. 1195. Both bills relate 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 telegraph operations. This company has joined other interested groups in supporting the objectives of the Committee for Time Uniformity. Current operations of this company provide the flexibility necessary to adapt to whatever time may be observed despite any variations that may exist as be tween 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 both S. 1033 and S. 1195. Sincerely, о K. W. HEBERTON. HEARINGS BEFORE THE JUL 5 1963 MAIN READING ROOM MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE FIRST SESSION ON S. 627 A BILL TO PROMOTE STATE COMMERCIAL FISHERY RESEARCH S. 744 A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO A BILL TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS |