Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-20
Some Things You Want to Know
Worlds Greatest Index.


Without any fanfare Of publicity or other
ostontation that would attract the atten-
ton OF the general public. there is being
carried to successful elimination the great
est indexing work of the ages. This great
index Is the international Catalogue Of
Scientific Literature. starting with the be-
ginning Of the present century. Each year
there is published seventeen volumes. In
which are eataiogued every contribution to
scientific knowledge made in every country
Of the world. Twelve thousand pages are
required to list these according to authors
and subjects.
To nave one consolidated index OF all
the dolngs OF mankind in the field OF
science, Is TO possess one Of the most
valuable aids to human endeavor. And
that Is what the International Catalogue
is aimed to be. II aims not only to cite
the title and the author OF every scientific
book and paper, but briefly to supply an
analytical digest Of the subject-matter OF
each. This is accomplished In a most in
g~enious way. Letters are made to repre-
sent heads and figures subheads. and by
these symbols the user OF the index can
determine at once what subjects are treated
In each contribution cited.
This great publication, growing at a rate
that will make LOO volumes by the end
OF the present century, Is not In existence
as a money-making scheme. In fact, there
is no provision whatever for the use Of
any surplus that might accrue from It's
publication and sale. 1t is purely a per-
manent establishment OF world co-opera-
ton, with no other aim than to support
Itself and become Invaluable to the race.
II has commanded the active cooperation
Of nearly every civilized government, and
Is the product of the leading scientific
minds Of the globe.
The task Of its preparation is divided into
three sections. First comes the gathering
Of the material. This Is done by zach ma
ton which supports the catalogue, through
what is known as the regional bureau. The
Smithsonian Institution has charge Of the
bureau for this country. Nearly every
scientific publication In the United States
Is sent to the Smithsonian, and everything
that comes there is ihdsxed. Then re-
course Is had to every index published in
this country. Every stone of literature
that may cover some scientific truth is
turned in the patient search for new mat
ter. Five experts are busily engaged
throughout the year, and they can scent
an article that ought to be indexed as ac-
curatetly as a bloodhound can scent the
hunted criminal When New Year comes
they are ready to offer a reward for the
article they have missed.
When the index for the United States is
finished 1t is sent to London, where II
meets the indexes made in a similar way
by other nations. The central bureau
there, following prescribed rules, then
proceeds to consolidate all of the contrl-
buttons into one. This is a great labor,
and largely accounts for the delay in the
appearance of the volumes of the finished
index. AS there are hundreds of thousands
Of entries to be classified properly, and q
great deal of careful editing to be lone
the wonder is that the printed volumes
are not even more tardy in their appear
ance. Furthermore, some Of the regional
bureaus are inclined to be slow in getting
up their indexes, which seriously delays
the central bureau IN it's work.
The third task is the printing. To pub.
fish seventeen volumes a year. containing
1900 pages of matter where accuracy II
the first essential. is a task worthy of tn,
best printer IT is slow and tedious work
Made up SO much of symbols, in which one
sign is not a guide to the one that follows
the printer and proof-reader must be al
attention. When the work lie published
the price is $S5 per set. Unfortunately
the scientists who are ever adding to tht
worlds wealth seldom accumulate much
money for themselves, and many of then
find the price prohibitive. The sponsor.
of the catalogue having been anxious t.
lower the price, but they have not sue.
ceeded in doing so up to this time. How,
ever. they are still hoping and prayinI
that some p~hilanthropic person will endov
the work, so that the catalogue may bt
general use.
The catalogue has been running since