Urges Astronomers to Work out Calendar Reform Plan Without Eastman Plan’s Objections

The American Astronomical Society is the logical body to express an authoritative opinion on the problem of calendar reform and it is the privilege of the scientists to propose a calendar which would improve the present system, if thought necessary, without at the same time causing great perturbation of conscience, economic loss and civil disabilities to many that the proposed Eastman Plan would, Dr. Moses Jung, of the school of religion of the University of Iowa, told the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society which is in session here.

Calling the attention of the Society to what he termed the “present propaganda for the adoption of the thirteen month calendar,” Dr. Jung, who is opposed to the Eastman Plan which contains the blank day feature, pointed to a number of reasons why it is not desirable to accept Mr. Eastman’s scheme.

Among these reasons are: it involves a breach in the age-old continuity of the week with a resulting “migrating” Christian Sunday, Jewish Sabbath and Mohammedan Friday, it would bring serious confusion into the life of many devoutedly religious people and is therefore arousing growing opposition of religious organizations all over the world, because it has been subjected to severe criticism by recognized leaders in the fields of industry, commerce and science, particularly astronomy, as well as by several governments, because public opinion in this country has so far not expressed itself adequately and is not aware of the implications of the Eastman plan and because there are other plans available which would give practically the same benefits without involving its disadvantages, Dr. Jung stated.