In a Nov. 12 letter, Janet Norby asked for the reason for switching clocks twice a year. The answer is simple: daylight. If we stayed on Standard Time, then during the months of May, June and July, the sun would be up and shining shortly after 3 a.m. I doubt if many would benefit with 3 a.m. daylight, which is why the light is shifted to the evenings.

Similar uses were introduced by the Romans to adjust their day to the sun. Canada first used DST in 1908, Germany and most of Europe followed in 1918, including in the U.S. when Woodrow Wilson signed ” Fast Time” into law. It was repealed, but many cities used it until 1942, when it became law again.

Today it is used in 70 countries. A study in 1975 showed the U.S. saved over 10,000 barrels of oil a day on Daylight Time. But the bottom line is people like daylight in the evenings. It should be kept year-round, but it would be darker in the winter mornings.

To the whiners and complainers about losing that hour sleep in the spring, grow up. If that is your argument, then we must immediately ban and outlaw Midnight Mass on Christmas.

Richard Trerise

Spokane