Salt Lake Telegram | 1929-04-28 | Page 26 | Serbians Try to Break Chains of Age Old Customs

Serbians Try to toD toi i Break Brea D I Chains of I Age Old Customs Endless Coffee Drinking Forbidden in Government Government Government Govern Govern- ment Offices by Kings King's Decree e BELGRADE April 20 AP The AP-The The sweeping a away way of fetters to trade and economic progress imposed by old age-old customs and outworn sentiment sentiment sen sen- is one of the most radical reforms reform being undertaken by the new dictatorship government set up by King Alexander As an example to the business world at large the habit of endless endes coffee drinking has been forbidden in government offices the working da day of civil servants has been lengthened and finally they are to lose many of the holida holidays s they have been enjoying by the unification o of the Julian and Gregorian calen calen- dars Serbia alone of European states has retained retained- the Julian calendar This has handicapped business not only with foreign countries s but also with other othel parts of where the Gregorian calendar is used The effect has been especially marked mared each year ear in December and January Januar and again around Easter In the winter there are two sets lof of festivities at intervals of thirteen thirteen thirteen thir thir- teen da days s Thus there are two St. St Nicholas Nicholas' days two ChrIstmases two New Years and two sets of saint days of which about ten oc ocCUr occur occur oc- oc cur in Januar January Similar conditions prevail with the coming of spring Ho Holy week and Easter The ministry of or religion has held several conferences with the astronomical astronomical astro astro- staff of Belgrade university university university I sity and has been assured that tha there should be no great difficulty In unifying ing the two methods of reckoning the passing of the years rears