REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 105 



to a conference held under the auspices of the Royal Society in London 

 during September, 1920, it appears that if certain conditions can be 

 met financial support may be looked for from the United States. 

 This conference, called by the Royal Society to consider the future of 

 the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature, was held in 

 London September 28 and 29, 1920. The following delegates at- 

 tended, representing the countries named : Denmark, Prof. M. 

 Knudsen; France, M. A. Lacroix; Holland, Dr. G. van Rijnberk; 

 Japan, Dr. Hantaro Nagaoka ; Norway, Mr. Rolf Laache ; Sweden, 

 Baron Alstromer; Switzerland, Dr. Hermann Escher, Dr. Marcel 

 Godet, Dr. H. Field; United States, Dr. Robert M. Yerkes (National 

 Research Council), Dr. L. E. Dickson (National Academy of 

 Sciences), Mr. L. C. Gunnell (Smithsonian Institution) ; India, Sir 

 H. H. Hayden, F. R. S. ; New Zealand, Prof. A. Denby, F. R, S. ; 

 Victoria, Prof. E. W. Skeats; South Africa, Sir Thomas Muir, 

 F. R. S. ; ^Vest Australia, Mr. C. B. Rushton. Representing the 

 Royal Society : Sir Joseph Thomson, president R. S. ; Sir David Prain, 

 treasurer R. S. ; Mr. J. H. Jeans, secretary R. S. ; Prof. H. E. Arm- 

 strong, F. R. S.; Dr. F. A. Bather, F. R, S.; Dr. P. C. Mitchell, 

 F. R. S. ; Sir Arthur Schuster, F. R. S. There were also present 

 Dr. S. I. Franz (United States of America), representing the Rocke- 

 feller Foundation, and Sir F. G. Ogilvie and Mr. L. S. Lloyd (Great 

 Britain). Two Italian delegates, Prof. Raffaello Nasini and Comm. 

 Ing. P]rnesto Mancini, were delayed on the journey and did not arrive 

 until the end of the conference. These two distinguished Italian 

 representatives were very earnest in their desire to see the catalogue 

 continued, and both agreed with the decisions, of the other delegates. 

 After two days taken up in considering the financial situation as 

 presented by the Royal Society, and discussion of the general affairs 

 of the enterprise, the following resolutions were agreed on unani- 

 mously : 



1. That the catalogue should he temporarily continued in its present form 

 for the year 1915 and possibly also as a single issue for the period 1916-1920 

 provided adequate financial support can be obtained. 



That at the earliest possible date opportunity be taken to reconsider the 

 whole character of the subsequent work of organization. 



That one of the first questions to be considered be the possibility of .convert- 

 ing the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature into a cumulative sub- 

 ject and authors' index, the volumes of which shall be published at intervals 

 of 3, 5, or 10 years, in accordance with the status and needs of their respective 

 sciences ; and that the materials shall be obtained so far as practicable in co- 

 operation with the abstracting journals of the world and other agencies afford- 

 ing rapid information, including regional bureaus. 



It was also agreed unanimously — 



2. That, inasmuch as the Royal Society is no longer able to accept financial 

 responsibility for the catalogue, it is essential that adequate financial support, 

 including working capital, be provided. 



