Appendix TIT. 

 REPORT ON THE INTEKNATIONAL EXCHANGES. 



Sir: I have the honor to present herewith a report on the operations of the 

 International Exchanges during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906. 



In common with the parent Institution and all of its branches the Inter- 

 national Exchanges has suffered a great loss in the death of the Secretary, 

 Mr. S. P. Langley. In some other place, no doubt, a fitting tribute will be paid 

 to his memory, and his services to the Institution and to science will be ade- 

 quately depicted, but I can not refrain from recalling the fact here that Mr. 

 Langley's connection with the Institution began in 1S87 in the capacity of 

 assistant secretary in charge of exchanges, publications, and library. 



During this period the operations of the exchanges have nearly trebled in the 

 quantity and in the breadth of distribution. Throughout his term of ofl3ce as 

 Secretary Mi\ Langley continued an active interest not oHly in the general 

 operations of the exchanges, but even in its details, and in his annual trips 

 abroad, made at his own expense, he invariably visited the agencies in the 

 countries to which he went, and in other ways promoted the interests of the 

 service. I have little hesitation in saying that Mr. Langley made the exchanges 

 one of the principal agencies for increasing the usefulness of the Institution 

 in foreign countries and for carrying out the intention of the founder in the 

 " diffusion of knowledge." 



The work required of this branch of the Smithsonian Institution is essen- 

 tially of a business nature, though it should be added that through its opera- 

 tions one of the general purposes of the Institution in the diffusion of knowledge 

 is greatly furthered. The duties of the Exchanges consist chiefly in transport- 

 ing packages of books from Washington to all foreign lands, however remote, 

 and in receiving publications from other countries for distribution throughout 

 the United States and territory subject to its jurisdiction. 



The requirements of the service necessitate the handling of many packages 

 and a number of heavy boxes. As work of this nature could be conducted with 

 greater facility on the ground floor, five rooms in the southeast basement of the 

 Smithsonian building were remodeled in 1S93 for the express use of the Inter- 

 national Exchanges. These rooms have been furnished with assorting tables, 

 bins, filing cases, and such other office appliances and supplies as are necessary 

 for the use of clerks and other assistants. The approximate value of this prop- 

 erty is about $2,300. 



The property acquired during the year consisted principally of boxes, pack- 

 ing materials, stationery, and other necessary supplies, the cost of which 

 amounted to $3,054.84. 



While it has been the practice to take an account of stock on hand at the 

 end of each fiscal year, no detailed statement of the disposition of supplies 

 has been kept in the Exchange OflSce, such supplies being given out as needed 

 by one of the clerks. There has recently been inaugurated a complete debit 

 and credit card system for keeping the property record, which will go into 

 effect at the beginning of the coming fiscal year. It will then be necessr.ry 



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