112 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, lifc3 



4. That on account of abnormal conditions still controlling publishing costs 

 and monetary exchange, it is probable that actual publication can not be at 

 present resumed unless financial aid is had from some source outside the pres- 

 ent organization ; however, it is believed, 



5. That the international organization should be kept in being through mu- 

 tual agreement to continue the work of the regional bureaus until such time 

 as it may be economically possible to resume publication. When that time ar- 

 rives the stock of complete sets already published should be advertised for sale 

 at a price within the reach of the smaller libraries and institutions, many of 

 whom, although desiring this unique reference work, were prevented from 

 subscribing on account of the high original cost. 



Were the price reduced even to one-fourth of the original, stock in hand at 

 that figure represents a sufficient sum to meet all outstanding obligations and 

 leave a surplus for working capital. 



This statement was read at the opening meeting of the conven- 

 tion and after a short discussion the following resolutions were 

 adopted : 



That the convention is of opinion that the international organization should 

 be kept in being through mutual agreement to continue as far as possible the 

 work of the regional bureaus until such time as it may be economically possible 

 to resume publication. 



That it be referred to the executive committee to consider and after full con- 

 sultation with interested bodies to make proposals as to the form of future 

 publication and to report with some definite scheme to a meeting of the inter- 

 national council to be summoned as soon as it appears possible that the publi- 

 cation can be resumed. 



The executive committee referred to consists of one representative 

 from each of the following-named countries; England, France, 

 Italy, Japan, Holland, Denmark, and the United States. 



At this convention Prof. Henry E. Armstrong, chairman of the 

 executive committee, who is the only one of the founders of the cata- 

 logue remaining in the organization, submitted a report from which 

 the following items have been copied : 



At the outset there was great enthusiasm for the work among those who 

 were its promoters in the different countries and great care was taken in the 

 preparation of the scheme; the organization that has been developed, in con- 

 sequence, has worked with remarkable smoothness. Bureaus have been estab- 

 lished in 32 countries, and the relations between these and the central office in 

 London have always been of the most harmonious character possible. 



Most convincing proof has been obtained that international cooperation to 

 such an end is not merely possible but may be made most effective. That all 

 that was aimed at has been accomplished need not be contended; but the 

 obvious shortcomings of the catalogue have been almost entirely due to lack 

 of funds. To have established a system so widespread in its operations is no 

 small achievement in itself. 



I am profoundly convinced that the principles underlying the preparation of 

 the catalogue are sound and that an international system of cataloguing 

 scientific literature is proved to be feasible and that its advantages are in- 

 contestable. • 



