Appendix 3. 

 REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES. 



SiK : I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera- 

 tions of the International Exchange Service during the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1913. 



The appropriation made by Congress for the support of the service 

 during the year, including the allotment for printing and binding, 

 was $32,200 (the same amount as appropriated for the past five 

 years), and the repayments from private and departmental sources 

 for services rendered aggregated $4,249.13, making the total available 

 resources for carrying on the system of international exchanges 

 $36,449.13. 



The work of the service is increasing at such a rapid rate that it 

 will be necessary in the near future to ask Congress to supply addi- 

 tional funds. More money is needed to meet freight charges on the 

 increased number of boxes now shipped abroad, and also for miscel- 

 laneous incidental expenses incurred in connection with the work of 

 the service. In 1913, 66 per cent more packages were handled than 

 in 1908, when the appropriation was first placed at $32,200, and 678 

 more boxes were dispatched. By means of various economies and 

 improvements in methods this increase in the volume of business has 

 been provided for without adding to the total cost of the service ; but 

 little more can be done in this direction. 



During the year 1913 the total number of packages handled was 

 338,621, an increase of 23,129, as compared with the preceding year. 

 The weight of these packages was 593,969 pounds, an increase of 

 25,257 pounds. 



The number and weight of the packages of different classes are in- 

 dicated in the following table: 



Number and weight of packages sent and received. 



63 



