74 ANNUAL EEPOKT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 3 2 



most difficult phase of the work. Moved by the fixed desire to see this great 

 work resumed, the Smithsonian Institution is now addressing the bodies for- 

 merly cooperating requesting assurances of renewed aid by supplying classitied 

 indexes to the scientific literature of their respective regions. The Institution 

 has figures showing that a catalogue consisting of 10,000 pages, divided into 17 

 annual volumes, can be published to sell at a cost of $50 per year, provided 

 1,000 subscriptions can be had. 



The situation is now far simpler than it was v,iien the organization was 

 founded in 1900, for then no precedent existed for such an international co- 

 operative enterprise. Now the successful publication of 238 volumes aggregat- 

 ing some 140,000 pages of the International Catalogue is substantial and con- 

 vincing proof that the original plan was feasible. War and disorganized 

 international conditions alone were responsible for the necessity of suspending 

 publication. Faults existed, but faults mainly brought about by lack of capital 

 and a somewhat slow and expensive method of printing through private con- 

 cerns. It is now proposed to remedy these defects tlirough the ownership of a 

 specially designed and equipped plant to print only the International Catalogue. 

 By this means it is believed that the catalogue can be printed for approxi- 

 mately one-half the original cost and the two main defects forruerly existing — 

 high prices and delayed publication — be remedied. 



It is apparent that in the proposed reorganization it is first necessary to obtain 

 assurance from regional bureaus that the aid formerly given can be depended 

 on again to supply classified references, as in this cooperation lay the outstand- 

 ing and unique value of the whole project. 



When such assurance is received the next stop will be to solicit subscriptions 

 to determine whether editions of 1,000 sets of 17 annual volumes can be sold 

 in order to reduce the price to $50 per set. 



With these essential requirements satisfactorily met and a concise plan of 

 operations agreed to, it is hoped and expected that the necessary capital to 

 resume publication, estimated at $75,000, can be obtained. 



Operating details may well be based on the records and regulations of the 

 organization as formerly carried out by the London Central Bureau. 



Responses to these communications have been most gratifying and 

 encouraging, as 16 of tlie 18 replies received from organizations 

 addressed have agreed to cooperate again on the terms outlined. 

 For various leasons, owing to social and political changes resulting 

 from the war, successful contacts have not been made in a number of 

 regions; but it is believed that when a definite plan has been agreed 

 to among the bodies already cooperating, all regional gaps can be 

 filled, as the importance of the work is so well recognized that no 

 countr}^ or region could afi^ord to be omitted. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



Leonard C. Gunnell, 



Assistant in Charge. 

 Dr. Charles G. Abbot, 



Secretary, Sniithsonion Institution. 



