REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 113 



It is the first work of the kind to be carried out in such detail and over 

 so long a period — more than 20 years. To abandon the enterprise after so 

 satisfactory a foundation has been laid would be to sacrifice an unique ex- 

 perience gained at the expense of great labor. 



From the foregoing facts and opinions and from the experience 

 of all who have occasion to use bibliographical aids, in matters 

 relating to science and all its branches, it is apparent — 



1. That there is a need for recording for the purpose of present and future 

 reference the published results of scientific achievements. 



2. That such a record to be comprehensive and complete must be interna- 

 tional in its scope and therefore must necessarily be prepared through inter- 

 national cooperation. 



3. That excepting for the organization known as the International Catalogue 

 of Scientific Literature, no such agency exists. 



4. That, though not claiming perfection, the International Catalogue up to 

 the beginning of the late war was and had been for some 14 years answering 

 the demands and requirements of an international authors' list and classified 

 subject index to the world's literature of science. 



5. That the principal defects of the International Catalogue were lack of 

 capital ; lack of complete cooperation with enterprises similar in nature though 

 more limited in scope. 



All of these defects had been recognized and their correction pro- 

 vided for by authority vested in the executive committee, whose plans 

 were frustrated by the beginning of war and consequent financial 

 collapse. It is believed and maintained by the advocates of the 

 International Catalogue that the foundation as it at present exists, 

 in spite of its financial difficulties, is the best and only one in existence 

 on which to build a new and more far-reaching organization, tres- 

 passing on no occupied fields, though cooperating for the common 

 good with all enterprises having the same or similar objects in view. 



While many projects have been proposed and are now being advo- 

 cated, none either in plan or scope compare with the International 

 Catalogue and none have the international recognition and official 

 support necessary for success. The capital needed to refinance the 

 enterprise is so small in comparison with the results to be attained 

 that it would be strange indeed if in this day of large ideas and large 

 financial outlays this most promising bond between and aid for the 

 thinkers and workers of all nations should be allowed to remain so 

 crippled that its wealth of information must continue to be inacces- 

 sible because unpublished. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Leonard C. Gunnell, 



Assistant in Charge. 



Dr. Charles D. Walcott, 



Secretary, Smithsonian Institution,. 



