Read and you will know 



WHAT PUBLIC DOCUMENTS ARE 

 AND HOW TO GET THEM 



THE Government of the United States is the greatest of all publishers of scien- 

 tific works. It employs thousands of scientists, who are engaged the year 

 round in making researches and investigations in all branches of agriculture, 

 in geology, in mining, in electricity, in chemistry, in astronomy, in engineering, in 

 aviation, in preventive medicine, in forestry, in irrigation, and almost all other 

 branches of scientific inquiry. The arts of war as well as those of peace are also 

 actively cultivated. The greatest art of all, that of free government, is strenuously 

 carried on by President, Cabinet, Senators, and Representatives. 



The results of all these activities of the most comprehensive and effective organi- 

 zation ever known are constantly reduced to print and poured out in an incessant 

 flood from the largest printing works in the world. 



These publications of the Government Printing Office at Washington constitute 

 the Public Documents of the United States. 



The greater number of them are sold by the Superintendent of Documents, located 

 in the Government Printing Office. The Government did not establish this sales 

 office for purposes of profit, but as a public convenience. The prices charged cover 

 only paper and printing, no charge being made for the services of the statesmen and 

 scientists who are the authors of the astonishingly varied books, pamphlets, period- 

 icals, and maps, and no commissions being allowed to anybody. The documents 

 even have the freedom of the mails and are sent without cost. 



The only condition is that payment be made in advance of shipment. The Super- 

 intendent of Documents is not authorized to supply free copies, and it is useless to 

 ask him to do so. 



HOW TO REMIT 



Remittances should be made to the Superintendent of Documents, Government 

 Printing Office, Washington, D. C., by postal money order, express order, or New 

 York draft. If currency is sent, it will be at sender's risk. 



Postage stamps, coins defaced or worn smooth, foreign money, and uncertified 

 checks will not be accepted. 



No charge is made for postage on documents forwarded to points in the United 

 States, Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Philippine Islands, Porto Rico, Samoa, or to Canada, 

 Cuba, Mexico, or Shanghai. To other countries the regular rate of postage is 

 charged. 



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