Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S125
Description
A copy of a letter from Clinton B. Conway to the editor of The Tampa Tribune expressing his opinions about Daylight Saving Time and school operations, especially regarding hours and buses, dated January 26, 1974.
General Note
In 1973, the United States was facing energy shortages and developed a variety of approaches to conserve energy as a result, including the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973. This legislation established a trial period of year-round Daylight Saving Time (DST) from January 6, 1974 to April 27, 1975. The hope was that an extra hour of daylight in the evening would reduce energy consumption, especially the use of electricity.
In Florida, the change to year-round DST came with serious consequences. In the first few weeks after the time change was enacted, several school-aged children were injured in traffic accidents in the dark mornings on their way to school.
In response to these accidents, there was an outpouring of citizen correspondence to Governor Askew expressing their opinions on year-round DST and whether or not Florida should move to counteract the Federal mandate within the state.
On January 29th, 1974, the Florida Legislature met for a special session to discuss DST. At the end of this session, no legislation was passed, and Florida continued to comply with the year-round Daylight Saving Time that President Nixon established.
In 2018, the Florida Legislature passed the “Sunshine Protection Act” (HB1013/SB858), stating that Florida will enact a year-round DST, provided that the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966 is amended to permit states to do so.
Letter sent 2-18-74
Clinton B. Conway
805 Maximo Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33515
January 26, 1974
Editor, The Tampa Tribune
507 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33602
Dear Sir:
With the announcement that the Governor is planning a special session of the legislature to repeal daylight saving time for the protection of the school children, a far better way would be to adjust the school hours. This would not inconvenience the rest of the people and would help solve the energy crisis as well. However, this plan will probably never even be considered as it is too simple in its operation.
Pupils in double session area, where most of the problem lies, who now go to school four and a half hours a day five days a week, a total off 22 1/2 hours, would go to school 7 1/2 hours a day three days a week, the same weekly total. One present session group would go Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the other one Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. This extra day use of the school plant would improve the use factor without affecting the energy requirements because of the decreased daily use. Pupils would also have plenty of study and recreation time on the non-school days.
A real saving would be in school bus operation. Instead of two trips a day, buses would make only one trip to and from the schools, cutting the fuel use in half per day. However, the Saturday operation would require 20% of the reduced amount or a total of 60% of the present gasoline consumption. There should be no problem with operation of buses with 60% of the former allocation available.
Sincerely,
Clinton B. Conway [signed]
Copy to Gov. Askew
Chicago Manual of Style
Conway, Clinton B. Copy of a letter from Clinton B. Conway to the editor of the Tampa Tribune about Daylight Saving Time and schools, January 26, 1974. 1974-01-26. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350895>, accessed 16 November 2024.
MLA
Conway, Clinton B. Copy of a letter from Clinton B. Conway to the editor of the Tampa Tribune about Daylight Saving Time and schools, January 26, 1974. 1974-01-26. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350895>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Conway)
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