UNITED STATES
1955

Reports of Affiliates and Committees of The World Calendar Association, International, presented at the Ninth Annual Meeting 16 January 1956, reflect the world-wide interest in and need for calendar reform. Published highlights (JCR Vol. 25, Dec. 1955 - Jan. 1956) for the UNITED STATES:

The report of the United States Affiliate covers the activities of The World Calendar Association, Incorporated, and the International Headquarters, which were directed through publications, lectures, the press, exhibits, studies, conferences and resolutions.

At the 19th Session (Second Part) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, 16 May 1955, the item on World Calendar Reform was postponed for consideration until the spring of 1956, in order to allow the governments more time to express their views. The motion for postponement was made by India, and was adopted by 10 votes to 6, with 1 abstention. Countries supporting India were Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Turkey, U.S.S.R., Venezuela, and Yugoslavia. It was opposed by Australia, China, Netherlands, Pakistan, United Kingdom and United States. France abstained. It is anticipated that this spring ECOSOC will establish a study committee to determine the best calendar for world usage--The World Calendar.

With The World Calendar before the United Nations for decision, Miss Achelis in March became convinced that her work through the voluntary Incorporated and International World Calendar Association was accomplished, and the Advisory Committees of the Incorporated Association as well as the Affiliates and associated Committees of the International Association were duly notified of her decision. Therefore the Incorporated Association has withdrawn from the International Association and will be dissolved the end of April. This December 1955-January 1956 will be the last issue of the quarterly Journal of Calendar Reform which has had a circulation ranging between 18,000 and 23,000 copies and has proved to be a valuable source of information. In early November, the Editor, Dr. Clarence R. Decker, left the Association due to the increasing demands of his other activities.

Throughout the year the headquarters of the Association has been occupied with the preparation and distribution of material for schools, colleges, conventions and special groups of various kinds. Releases were sent to and articles were published in various house organs, magazines, and press. Radio and TV programs have presented broadcasts, notable among these being Arthur Godfrey, Bing Crosby, Ted Malone and Dean Cameron. Miss Achelis was interviewed by Mike and Buff Wallace of CBS and and also by Alma Dettinger over WQXR. Edward Rosenheim, Jr., on the Chicago Roundtable interviewed Dr. Richard Parker, Professor Quincy Wright and Dr. Decker.

Lectures and discussions were given before various clubs, societies and other groups. Speakers included Mr. Edward F. Flynn of St. Paul, the Reverend John R. T. Hedeman of Baltimore, Mr. Jacob E. McColly of Pennsylvania, and Miss Achelis herself spoke on several occasions, notably at the New York City Control of the Controllers Institute.

Many new endorsements and several re-endorsements were given in 1955. They include the National Retail Dry Goods Association, United States Junior Chamber of Commerce and a number of local and state Jaycees, also various Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs across the country, as well as business and professional groups.

The World Calendar Exhibit,on view for a year and a half at the Hayden Planetarium-Museum of Natural History, New York--and seen by an estimated over-a-million visitors--was transferred to the Fels Planetarium of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia.

Of Time and the Calendar, a book by Elisabeth Achelis, was published the 22nd of January 1955 in New York by Hermitage House. Through the cooperation of the British Section, this book in a new jacket is being circulated in England, and the French and Japanese Affiliates have had it translated and published in their own countries. Favorable reviews, letters and the continuous demand for this book evidence the very real interest shown in the new calendar--The World Calendar. (Because of the closing of Hermitage House, Of Time and the Calendar has been transferred to Thomas Nelson & Sons.)

On the 21st day of October 1955, the 25th anniversary of The World Calendar association, Incorporated, as t luncheon at the Hotel Plaza, the Staff presented Miss Achelis with an appreciative testimonial, as shown below:

for your vision and leadership as Founder and President of The World Calendar Association, Incorporated, and International;
for your unselfish and tireless efforts in gaining international recognition of the broad and profound significance of calendar reform;
for your inspired and courageous support of The World Calendar, winning for it among the hundreds of plans presented, first place in the League of Nations and the United Nations;
for your unique foresight of The World Calendar, not only as a better calendar but through Worldsday as the enduring symbol of a better world--a world of peace, good will, and constructive endeavor; and
Appreciation for the opportunity to share in the great "Cause" and assurances of affectionate devotion. Signed: Harriet A. Lillie, Linda deF. Halsted, Alice B. Connolly. Phyllis Block, Herman Ludel, Clarence R. Decker.

Distinguished visitors form abroad to headquarters office this year included, Sir Harold Spencer Jones, Astronomer Royal of Great Britain; Mr. R. W. Parsons, Principal of South Australian School of Mines and Industries, and Chairman of the South Australian State Committee for The World Calendar; the Reverend Conrad M. Morin, O.F.M., and Monsignor Amato P. Frutoz of Montreal and Rome; Mr. James Avery Joyce of London, Honorary Secretary of the British Section; Mr. A. J. Hills of Ottawa, Chairman of the Canadian Affiliate; and Dr.Bhola Panth of India.

UNITED STATES
1954

SIGNIFICANT progress towards international agreement on calendar reform was reported at the Eighth Annual Meeting 14 January 1955 of The World Calendar Association, International, held in the International Building, New York City, . Published highlights (JCR Vol. 24, March 1955) for the UNITED STATES:

The World Calendar Association was deeply grieved at the sudden death 20 May 1954 of Charles D. Morris, Public Relations Counsel to the Association and editor of its publication, the Journal of Calendar Reform. It was through his advice and efforts that the Journal was founded in 1931 to supply information and make available historical records of the movement for an improved calendar. With his wise counsel and brilliant editorial talent, Mr. Morris made a long-time lasting contribution to the cause.

In July 1954, Dr. Clarence R. Decker, a long-time friend of Mr. Morris, was invited to succeed him as consultant to The World Calendar Association, and editor of the Journal of Calendar Reform. Dr. Decker had been an interested advocate of The World Calendar for some time and had appeared with Miss Achelis and Rajeswar Dayal (Permanent Delegate of India to the U.N.) on a radio program prepared by the United Nations, 24 March 1954, in regard to The World Calendar. Dr. Decker brings to the Association his wide experience as former President of the University of Kansas City and Assistant Director of the Mutual Security Administration for the Far East. He is extended an appreciative welcome.

There have been several changes on the Advisory committee. In the United States, Dr. Clara B. Burdette, founder of many national women's organizations, died in January of 1954, in San Marino, California. She successfully urged endorsement of The World Calendar by the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

In the Membership of the Advisory Committee, valued friends have been lost. . . .

Promotional and educational activities have been unusually extensive and continuous throughout the year. The monographs and pamphlets listed on the inside back cover of this Journal have been in heavy demand. The new pamphlet, "The World Calendar--Questions and Answers," has been distributed widely and has received much favorable response. This and other literature have been sent in quantity to schools, colleges and universities, including institutes and workshops, throughout the country.

All communication media have been especially generous. Many network as well as local radio-TV programs have presented impressive broadcasts about The World Calendar and newspapers, magazines and trade papers have given it wide publicity in stories and editorials, all of which is an encouraging indication that the public is increasingly aware of the urgency of reform. Of special importance in this connection was the article in 18 December issue of the Saturday Review, entitled "Let's End Our Calendar Chaos," by Lucy Donnell. This article was condensed in the January 1955 Reader's Digest and published in the following international editions of that magazine: (January) Denmark, English Canada, Italy, Sweden' (February) Australia, Finland, Great Britain, Norway; (March) France, Japan, Portugal, Spain. Affiliates should call the article to the attention of as many persons as possible.

Lectures and discussions before various groups have been sponsored by the Association. When the President's schedule permitted she has been happy to accept speaking engagements. Mr. Edward F/ Flynn of Saint Paul, Minnesota,a lecturer on The World Calendar, has addressed Rotary, Kiwanis and many other groups across the United States. Mr. Allan F. Ames, Pensacola, Florida, Dr. John R. T. Hedeman, Baltimore, Maryland, and Mr. Jacob E. McColly, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, have also been in demand as speakers.

Many new endorsements and several re-endorsements of The World Calendar have been given in 1954. These have been announced in the Journal of Calendar Reform.

Of Time and the Calendar, a new book by Elisabeth Achelis, will be published by Hermitage House on 22 January 1955, a week after the annual meeting. Appreciative credit is given the entire staff of the Association -- for their wholehearted cooperation in making this publication possible.

UNITED STATES
1953

SUSTAINED progress toward the international enactment of calendar reform was reported at the Seventh Annual Meeting 15 January 1954 of The World Calendar Association, International, held in the International Building, New York City. Published highlights (JCR Vol. 24, April 1954) for the UNITED STATES:

The most important event of the year, from the viewpoint of international progress towards the goal of calendar reform, occurred on 6 April, when the United Nations officially registered The World Calendar association, International, as one of the non-governmental organizations affiliated with its Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This formal recognition marked a new and significant step in the international pathway leading to decisive action for an improved calendar.

As one of the carefully selected non-governmental organizations known as NGO's, the Association now enjoys consultative status with the U.N. and becomes a recognized part of the U.N. operation. Under the U.N. Charter and Statues, this consultative status is arranged "for the purpose of enabling the Council to secure expert information and advice from groups having special competence in their field, and on the other hand to enable organizations which represent important elements of public opinion to express themselves."

Since 6 April The world Calendar Association, International has had representatives at three NGO conventions, one in Geneva and two in New York City. It has also attended various allied meetings and has been in continuous contact with the U.N. secretariat and with delegates of member nations not only in New York and Geneva, but also in London, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Rome, etc. Its international liaison officer, James Avery Joyce, come from London to New York for the autumn sessions of the General Assembly. He also attended U.N. meetings in Switzerland and Denmark, and at the year-end was preparing to go to India for important conferences with the U.N. delegations from that county. Another member of the British Section, Sir Harold Spencer Jones (British Astronomer Royal and head of Greenwich Observatory), was in New York City at the time of the General assembly sessions, and was the guest of the India delegation at a luncheon where calendar reform matters were discussed with delegates from England, Russia and the United States.

Dr. Ali, a Ph.D. from Cornell University and since his graduation a professor of agriculture at Osmania University (Hyderabad, India) was in the United States most of the year on grants from the Fulbright and Ford Foundations. As the leading Moslem authority in India on calendrical matters, he has for some time been engaged in an international study of the problem of introducing effectively The World Calendar in the realm of the Crescent. A summary of his views, published in the Journal of Calendar Reform in June (Vol. 23, pages 63-68), was submitted for criticism to important scholars in Moslem countries, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, etc., with a surprisingly favorable response. during his stay in America, he attended important conventions of Arab scholars at Princeton and Chicago; on his return tip to Hyderabad, he made stops in Rome, Istanbul, Beirut, Baghdad, Tehran and Delhi for conferences with calendar groups in those cities. During the early part of 1954 he will make similar visits to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Moslem world.

A pleasant feature of the year's work was the completion of The World Calendar Exhibit at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City. The Exhibit was formally opened on 4 December with an address by Sir Harold spencer Jones, the British Astronomer Royal, who made a quick round trip by air from London for this purpose, and incidentally achieved something of a world's record by appearing on eight radio and television programs in a period of only about forty-eight hours. At a dinner preceding his lecture, a dozen prominent American scientists met to honor him and to discuss calendar reform. Astronomers, of course, have always been in the forefront of calendar matters, since the days of Babylonia, Phoenicia and Egypt.

Throughout the year the headquarters staff of the Association has been occupied with preparation of material to assist the new committees in India and Australia in their work. The excellent progress made by both committees has been an important feature of the year 1953. At the same time close contact has been kept with the affiliates in Central and South America where in many cases the situation is that expressed by the Uruguayan affiliate: "Our government has declared in favor of calendar reform; our official representatives are fully informed and ready to give full cooperation; thus we are in the position of standing by, waiting for the rest of the world to catch up."

There have been a few changes in the membership of the U.S. Advisory committee. We have lost three important members in the deaths of Gano Dunn, eminent industrialist and engineer; Dr; Robert Millikan, famous physicist who was a Nobel Prize winner in 1923, and John J. O'Neill, Science Editor of the New York Herald-Tribune. in their places we have added Paul Talbot Babson, head of the United Business Service of Boston; Dr. Wagner Schlesinger, director of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, and Q. Forrest Walker, economist for R. H. Macy & Company, New York City.

Publication activities in New York have included four issues of the Journal of Calendar Reform, two editions of our basic pamphlet, Improve the Calendar, and a dozen other pamphlets--including the first two issues of a series designed to document U.N. action.

Printed material in bulk was supplied during the year to schools, colleges, conventions and special groups of various kinds. Individual requests for information have been larger than usual. Service to press, radio and television has continued to be an important activity. Material for speakers has been distributed and the roster of speakers available for addresses before forums and clubs has been active. Mr. Edward F. Flynn of St. Pau heads the list of speakers, as usual, in the number of addresses made. Other speakers have included Allan P. Ames of Pensacola, Reverend John R. T. Hedeman of Baltimore, Commander William A. Mason of California and Jacob E. McColly of Pennsylvania. Miss Achelis has spoken on several occasions, notably at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and at the Astronomical Society in New Haven. In Philadelphia the Fels Planetarium gave five lectures daily throughout the month of September on the subject "The Calendar, Man's Measure of Time."

CONTACT The World Calendar Association

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