The Views control panel in System 7 controls how the files and windows on
your desktop are displayed.
You can change the font and font size the Finder uses to display icons, and
how icons are arranged when you select Clean Up from the Special menu.
Another option is selecting how information is displayed in various list
views (View by Name, Date, Kind, Size, Label). You can also change things
like icon size, space available display, and what type of information
should appear.
If you want to arrange your files in an icon view but in order of name, date,
kind, size or label, first display the files by the view by which you want
to sort (using the View menu. Then, change your view to one of the icon
views, hold down the Option key, and choose Clean Up by... from the Special
menu. Your last chosen view will be the parameter by which the icons are
sorted.