Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-20


uted and hence of more general use.
The catalogue has been running since
1900. The regional bureaus are pro-
Vlded for by governmental appropria-
tion. Some of the nations, among
them our own, are inclined to be pc
nurious when providing for their bu-
reaus. To conduct the work properly
the Smithsonian authorities estimate
that they should have an appropria-
tion of $4,000 a year. Yet congress,
readily giving a $4,000 appropriation
to make Shallow Bottom creek navi-
gable, makes a wry face when it gives
only $4,000 to the support of the United
States regional bureau. But for vol
unteer work by patriotic scientists,
America would be unable to make
creditable showing.
The failure of the project through
improper financial support would be
farther reaching than the catalogue
itself. The eyes of the photographic
world are upon it and if it succeeds
other interests may be heartened to
undertake similar catalogs. Histor-
ians are yearning for a world cat
alogue Of history, literary authorities
desire an international catalogue of lit
erature and social scientists are eager
to possess a catalogue digest of all the
uplift literature in existence. Fail
ure of the international catalogue of
scientific literature would serve to
shrtvel the hopes of those who would
apply its principles elsewhere.
While the catalogue was established
in London, through English influence
and the call of Queen Victoria, it was
| in 1885 that the Smithsonian institution
first suggested that some such work
ought to be published. Later the Royal
SD1ipfNT NJ I'm RI
and compiled a catalogue of the litera-
ture on scientific subjects up to 1888
| The growing volume of current litera-
ture made it impossible for one organ
izatiOn to continue the work, and the
Royal society, through the English
government. Convoked a conventin of
photographers to consider the advisa-
bility of International cooperation in
continuing the project. This conven-
tion was followed ly two others. held
in London in 1898 and 1900. when the
present scheme was thoroughly planned
and formally launched.
The plan of governing the prepara-
tion and issuance of the catalogue is
most carefully wrought. The govern
| ing body is the international conven-
ton, consisting of not more than three
delegates from each body that main
| tainS a regional bureau This con-
vention assembled in 1905, and will
meet again in July of this year. Here
after it will meet every ten years. 1t
possesses complete control over the
whole work, and its decisions shall re-
main in force for ten years There Is
also an international council, which
consists of one member appointed by
each regional bureau. This body shall
have jurisdiction over all matters
when the international convention is
not sitting, though all of its rulings
shall be in accordance with the regula-
tions adopted by the convention. The
international council meets every three
years in London, and at such times as
the chairman, with five other members
concurring, shall direct. Its particular
duties are to look after the central
bureau.
1t would be desirable to have a card
index in addition to the book catalogue.
but no definite steps have been taken
in that direction because the revenues
from the sales of the book catalogue
have no more than sufficied to meet the
| expenses of the publication If the
card index can be provided for event
ually, the value of the work will be
greatly enhanced. The scientific activ-
tiles if the United States are so diverse
that it takes some 5000 entries to cata-
logue its annual contributions. The
principal subscribers to the catalogue
are libraries and scientific organiza-
tions, and their number is sufficient to
oring the American sales UP to about
$4,000 a year..
1t is the desire OF the regional bureau
for the United States to enhance the
timeliness of the catalogue by having
monthly check lists issued in pamphlet
form, showing all the American litera-
ture on scientific subjects appearing
month or two before. 1t will in no
wise interfere with the main work.
and. will give subscribers the catalogue
for the United States as fast as the
classifcations are made. Germany
joys wide favor. The cost of this ex-
ira work will not be more than $4,000
year, if congress can be induced to
appropriate it.
TomorrOw-The English Elections