This day in Mohawk Valley history: February 13, 1919

The Cobleskill Index., February 13, 1919, Cobleskill, Schoharie County, New York

OPPOSE DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Farmers Declare Schedule Imposes Hardships Upon Them.

Poster showing Uncle Sam turning a clock to Daylight Savings time as a clock-headed figure throws his hat in the air. The clock face of the figure reads “One hour of extra daylight.” 1918

Farm Bureau organizations throughout this district are filing protests with Congressman Fairchild relative to the adoption of the daylight saving scheme which is scheduled to become effective again this year.

This is simply the same position that is being taken by the agricultural interests the nation over. While the factories and shops urge the institution of the method by which one hour is gained for the workers, yet the farmers are opposing it almost as a unit. The reasons for the opposition are many, but two are sufficient: It means he loss on the farm of one hour out of the best part of the day, for the hired man can not get into the field to work until the dew is off. Legislation cannot get around this fact, the farmers argue. Again the farm finds he cannot get down to the morning stage or the morning milk train with his milk in time, without great trouble, inasmuch as already he gets up at daybreak and the proposed change simply sets the whole machinery on the farm so far back that he has to get up before daylong and work hard right through. —Star.

ROUND ABOUT US

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THIS PART OF THE STATE.

Short items of Interest Gathered From Our Exchanges, Telling of What Other People Are Talking About.

Erastus Potter, a Herkimer milk dealer, has been held for the action of the grand jury on the charge of failing to obey the ordinance enacted by the board of health by which the sale of loose and dipped milk is prohibited with the village of Herkimer. The ordinance was effective Jan. 1st but the defendant continued the sale of loose milk. The board of health considered for some time the matter of enacting the ordinance and held several public hearings before its adoption.

Although Binghamton has been a dry city since last October many citizens were astonished by thinking they saw a sea serpent in the Chenango river a few days again. The reptile was at least 12 feet long, with a head and a long slim wriggling body. The most peculiar thing about the monster was that it could not make any headway against the stream, although it lashed its tail in fury. A very close scrutiny of the object proved it to be only a section of rope which had lodged on the bottom of the river and had gathered a small quantity of anchor ice which formed the so-called head for the creature. The life-like action of the “tail” was attributed to the action of the current as it back eddied from the pier.

Source:New York State Historic Newspapers