REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 89 



conventions were broadly worded and allowed for the adherence of other 

 states than those that became signatories at the time. The signers were the 

 plenipotentiaries of the United States of America, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Portu- 

 gal and the Algarves, Servia, Spain, and the Swiss Confederation. Later the 

 Argentine Republic, Paraguay, and Uraguay signified their adherence, while 

 Bolivia, Chile. Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Liberia, the Netherlands, New 

 South Wales, Peru. Queensland, and Russia have established international 

 exchange bureaus without, however, giving their formal adherence to the con- 

 ventions. From this it will be seen that there are eleven states that have 

 adhered to the conventions and an equal number that have established bureaus 

 without adherence, while Great Britain, Germany, and the other countries 

 contribute no funds toward the organization of this movement. 



It is therefore obvious that under the existing conditions it is not reorganiza- 

 tion but organization that is needed, and this may readily be accomplished under 

 the conventions now in force, as they form a firm foundation for a great 

 international institution. The provisions in these conventions made twenty 

 years ago may need revision in order to conform to recent international advance- 

 ment, and it is possible that the powers that have already agreed to the con- 

 ventions and lent their support might be willing to reopen them, provided 

 that the powers that have not come in are willing to join in the organization 

 of an international exchange service. 



The international exchanges as now carried on are of two classes — scientific 

 and literary publications and official Government publications. The first 

 named of these is of the utmost importance to the cause of education, both 

 scholastic and technical, which the present service has materially advanced 

 by enabling individuals and institutions of learning to disseminate knowledge 

 without restriction and practically without cost to themselves. The scientific 

 institutions are appreciating more and more the fact that their endowments are 

 entirely inadequate to provide for the many calls made upon them, and if 

 in addition to printing their own publications they should have to purchase 

 those of foreign institutions and pay the cost of transportation it would mean 

 that some part of their work would have to be abandoned. It is therefore to a 

 system of international exchanges that they must look for relief in this matter. 



The Government exchanges are necessary in order that Governments may 

 ascertain what is being accomplished along similar lines in other countries, 

 and as such publications are issued at the expense of the Governments they 

 should also be distributed at their expense. 



The International Exchange Service of the United States is under the direc- 

 tion of the Smithsonian Institution, and was originally inaugurated for the 

 purpose of transmitting publications presented by institutions and individuals 

 in the United States to correspondents abroad, in exchange for like contribu- 

 tions from such recipients, as one of the most efficient means for the " diffusion 

 of knowledge among men," and the entire expense, including that for the 

 exchange of documents published by the Government from 1850 to 1881, was 

 paid from the private funds of the Institution. 



Through the action of Congress, upon recommendation of the Department of 

 State, the Smithsonian Institution is recognized by the United States Govern- 

 ment as the American agency for the international exchange of governmental, 

 scientific, and literary publications. By the congressional resolutions passed in 

 1867 and 1901 a certain number of United States Government publications 

 are set aside for exchange with those of foreign countries, to be sent regularly 

 to designated depositories. In accordance with those resolutions there are 

 now forwarded abroad 55 full sets of United States official publications and 

 33 partial sets; the official journal of the proceedings of Congress, the 

 Congressional Record, is transmitted by mail daily to each of the Parliaments 

 that is willing to reciprocate. 



During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909. the number of packages for- 

 warded through the' international exchanges of the United Slates amounted 

 to 228,875. These packages were sent direct from this country to the one 

 for which they were intended, and from long experience this has been found 

 to be the quickest and most satisfactory method. During the last year nearly 

 2,000 boxes were shipped in this way without the loss of a single consignment. 

 Shipments are made regularly at least once a month, should the sending be 

 but one package, and to the larger countries every week. 



A card index is kept of all correspondents, and upon these cards are 

 recorded the packages sent and received by each institution and individual. 



