The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-09-02

dissemination Of literature. He Is at
the head Of a mighty international
book exchange which annually handles
about 100000 packages Of books ag-
gregating hair million pounds IN
weight, and which are distributed to
All parts Of the globe. 1t is the gov
ernment's clearing house for Official
and scientific literature, and is known
as the International exchange system
or 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
spondenta include about 10000 sepa-
rate addresses.
These figures furnish some idea Of
the large scope Of operation Of a sys-
tenn which, outside the scientific and
academic world is not generally
known. Dr. Cyrus Adler. assistant
secretary OF the Smithsonian Inedtu-
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. is
almost as old as the institution itself.
II was originally designed for the pur.
pose Of exchanging Smithsonian pub
lications for those of other learned so
cietiea and faculties. Through the ac-
ton Of congress and through treaty
negotiated with various foreign coun.
tries. to which many nations have
since adhered, II 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
Etitution, the increase Snd 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
braries and kindred institutions OF the
world. at a great saving Of labor and
expense. Instead OF each society, as
sociation or academy sending docu-
ments TO thousand others, a 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.
tlon and marked international Ex.
changes. customs inspection IS
waived For a long time many steam
ship lines went go far as 70 provide
free transportation on all packages
Of Smithsonian exchanges Further
privileges. such as the waving Of Ger
tain consular fees on bills Of lsdIne
are enjoyed by the exchange system,
making Il altogether Of great service
not only 70 the government which sup
ports 1t, but to Its citizens as well.
The government appropriation avail
able for this service during the pres
eEt year IS $4,000"
The idea Of an international liter
AIRY exchange system Is not new II
was FIRST permanently established 20
years ago by II. Alexandra Vattemare
OF Paris. As early as 1894. 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 174Sl
and the American Academy Of Arts
and Sciences founded in 1880
at the beginning Of the nineteenth cen
tury, traded their proceedings and
transactions for those Of foreign sclen
tic societies. Mr. Vattemare's ef
forts began In 1882. when he succeed
ed ia 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 else
the governments Of a number Of cities
On his second visit TO this co1ntry ht
was designated as the agent tlf the II
brary Of Congress 70 conduct the ex
change system established between
France aud the United States.
The National institute OF this eoun
try IN 1910 set up a similar interna
tional exchange Of natural history
specimens. Although the Smithsonian
exchange system had no direct con
nection With those established be
tween national governments By NJ
Vattemare. It soon superseded all 9th
er plans for international exchanges
The institution was founded in 1884,
FOR the increase and diffusion oI
knowledge among men" To further
the second term Of this bequest. tbs
first volume OF the Smithsonian pub