The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1908-09-03
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,GN1zIHJOyZI4N INSTITUTION M WASHINGTON

Uncle Sam Is doing his best at the
dissemination of literature. He is at
The head of mighty international
book exchange which annually handles
about 100000 packages of books ag-
gregating half million pounds In
weight, and which are distributed to
all parts of the globe. 1t is the gov
srnments clearing house for official
and scientific literature. and is known
AZ the international exchange system
Dr. the Smithsonian exchanges.
Most Of the shipments made contain
full sets of United States government
documents for authorized repositories,
and the balance consist of depart
mental and other publications for
miscellaneous correspondents. The
lists OF Smithsonian exchange CORE
spondents include about 10000 sepa-
cate addresses.
These figures furnish some idea of
the large scope of operation of sys-
tenn which, outside the scientific and
academic world, is not generally
known. DR.. Cyrus Adler, assistant
secretary OF the Smithsonian Institu-
ton, In charge of the library and ex-
changes, explained recently the pur-
pose and work of this international lit
erary clearing house.
The exchange service" he said. rs
almost as old as the institution itself
1t was originally designed for the pur-
pose of exchanging Smithsonian pub
locations for those of other learned so
cieties and faculties. Through the ac-
ton of congress and through treaty
negotiated with various foreign coun-
tries, to which many nations have
since adhered, 1t has become an i'm.
portant international agency for the
exchange of governmental. scientific
and literary publications. 1t is devised
to benefit the institutions In this coun.
try and abroad. serving as one of the
most important means for carrying
out the fundamental purpose of the In.
stitution, the increase and diffusion of
knowledge among men,
1T is through this system that the
original documents, reports OF scien-
tific experiments, official transactions
Of societies, governmental publications
and like productions are sent to the IL
Draries and kindred institutions of the
world, at great saving of labor and
expense. Instead of each society, as
ISOLATION or academy sending docu-
ments to thousand others, constant
circulation is maintained through the
medium of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton.
The operation of an official ex.
change bureau of this sort gains the
benefits OF centralized effort. When
boxes and packages are properly
stamped by the Smithsonian Institu.
ton and marked international Ex-
changes customs inspection Is
waived. For long time many steam
ship lines went so far as to provide
free transportation on all packages
of Smithsonian exchanges. Further
privileges, such as the waving of GER
tain consular fees on bills of lading
are enjoyed by the exchange system,
making 1t altogether of great service
not only to the government which sup
ports it, but to its citizens as well.
The government appropriation avail.
able for this service during the pres
ent year Is $4,000"
The idea of an international liter
AIRY exchange system is not new. 1t
was first permanently established 20
years ago by H. Alexandra Vattemare
OF Paris, AS early as 1884, how
ever, the royal library of France,
authorized by King Louis XIV. con-
Quoted an international exchange for
several years, and the American Phil.
osophical society founded in l743)
and the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences founded in 1880,
at the beginning of the nineteenth cen
fury, traded their proceedings and
transactions for those of foreign scien-
tic societies. Mr.. Vattemare's eff
forts began in 1892, when he succeed
ed in interesting many learned men of
Europe in his plans. In 1898 he visit
ed the United States and obtained the
Endorsement Of many leading Ameri-
cans. among them Washington Irving,
Joel r. Poinsett, then secretary of
war: Gulian c. Verplanck and also
the governments of number of cities.
On his second visit to this country he
was designated as the agent of the Ii
brary of Congress to conduct the ex-
change system established between
France and the United States.
The National institute of this coun-
try in 1910 set up a similar interna-
tional exchange of natural history
specimens. Although the Smithsonian
exchange system had no direct con
nectlon with those established be.
tween national governments by NJ
Vattemare. 1t soon superseded all 9th.
er plans for international exchanges.
The institution was founded in 1916
FOR the increase and diffusion OF
knowledge among men, To further
the second term of this bequest, the
arst volume of the Smithsonian pub.