Suggestions for an index of engineering literature

The author provides his ideas on the best method of securing the publication of an index covering the subjects of interest to electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, civil and perhaps mining engineers. He suggests that the various national engineering societies might combine forces to maintain the publication of an index that would be of lasting value to the engineering profession of the entire world. A joint committee might be appointed which would receive the confidence and the cooperation of all. They could draw upon a large constituency for cooperation and subscriptions. The committee might outline the plan for the work, and prepare preliminary lists of subjects, which might be published and submitted to the members for suggestions. The committee could then call upon different members for contributions from their private index files. The committee should have authority to edit the contributions, thus received. Doubtless a number of publishing houses would, ;contribute complete files of their publications for such indexing. Indeed some of them have already made such offers to a privates enterprise for such purpose. Incidentally the material thus received would make a valuable addition to the libraries which are being gathered at the headquarters of the societies. Such a committee could certainly compile an index that would be far in advance of the imperfect ones now published. The vast amount of duplicate labor now expended by the papers and by individuals could then be turned to more efficient work. In conclusion the writer adds some suggestions on the style of such an index.