534 CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. 
paper from a historical standpoint. It then dwells forcibly on the necessity for 
a testing station, discusses practical possibilities and explains the consequent scope 
of the present inquiry. Then it endeavours to settle the question of Grades of Per- 
manence in paper, and proceeds to treat in some detail that part of the problem 
which relates more particularly to paper used in present-day book production. 
Specifications are laid down for grades of durable paper, the important question 
of the market prices of such papers being fully considered. The Committee conclude 
by dwelling on what seems to them the practical outcome of the whole matter. 
It is entirely with the practical outcome we are concerned here to-day. The 
grades of paper have been set up and registered and grade marks adopted (see 
illustrations) by which they can be identified. A sufficient number of mills of high 
standing are making grade papers to the specifications (at the same prices as those 
ruling for unspecified papers), and they are obtainable without difficulty through 
many of the largest and best-known suppliers in the country. 
But now comes the crux of the whole problem. Somehow we must promote an 
educated and steady command for these durable papers, or the makers will not 
continue to produce them. Up to the present this demand has not travelled far 
outside the immediate influence of members of the Committee. 
We have the librarians behind us, are gradually obtaining the support of the 
learned and scientific societies, and of such bodies as the British Record Society, 
the British Science Guild, the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants, 
the Institute of Public Administration, the Royal Institution, the Royal Society, 
while one of the largest and most influential firms of publishers in London has adopted 
grade 2 for all ordinary purposes. 
What we ask you to do is to use your influence with your own society or societies 
to ensure that future publications shall be printed on one of the grade papers, and in 
general to give the new National Mark your blessing and your practical support. 
Summary or REPORT. 
During the last thirty years many scientists in different countries have pointed 
out that, owing to the employment of papers manufactured by certain modern 
processes, a large part of the printed and written productions of the present age will 
possibly have perished before they can be utilised by the learned world of the future. 
These conclusions have never been seriously questioned, but there has been com- 
paratively little organized effort to deal with the situation from the point of view 
either of printed books or of archives. 
The general problem of Papers used for Printing and Archives.—The first aim ot 
the Committee was, therefore, to raise the standard of paper used for the production 
of printed books by specifying papers which should be durable and yet no dearer 
than the ordinary papers at present used by publishers; and to get these actually 
put on the market. This has now been done. 
The Committee has not prepared separate specifications for papers for Archives 
(including Registers, Accounts, Minutes, and all kinds of original Memoranda and 
Correspondence), because it is agreed that for these the same basic specifications can 
be used. Other special problems of Archives are mentioned below. 
Grades.—The Committee came to the conclusion that the only practical plan 
was to recognize grades of ‘ absolute’ and ‘ relative’ permanence {the latter being 
such as would give to a reasonably distant posterity the opportunity to use the 
productions of our age), and to set up corresponding grades of paper identifiable by 
registered mark. The following grades were established :— 
Grade 1, for use where ‘ absolute’ permanence is required, is based on the 
characteristics of papers which have actually stood the test of centuries. Only first 
quality rag or other pure cellulose may be used. 
Grade 1 is subdivided into two categories :— 
1 (a). All rag, hand-made. 
1 (b). All rag, machine-made. 
Grade 2, for use where ‘relative’ permanence is desired, and a low price is 
necessary, is to be manufactured from properly prepared all-chemical wood stock. 
Specifications for each of the above, covering chemical and other requirements, 
will be found in the report. 
Price and Production.—The vital conclusion arrived at is that durable papers of 
these grades can be produced at prices no higher than those now ruling for present-day 
al ried 
