ence of type, by numbering or lettering, or by other device; but the use of more than three or four grades of heads should be avoided. Headings should be so written that when they are assembled and their relationships are shown by indentation or otherwise they will form an accurate synopsis or outline of the paper. They should in general only name the subject, and should not attempt to tell what is said about it. The use of catch headings calling attention to special points in the paper but not properly covering logical sections or subdivisions should be permitted only in rare instances. 7. Paragraphing. Special attention should be given to division into paragraphs. This should be determined logically, yet paragraphs should not be so short as to give a "choppy" effect nor so long that their unity can not be readily perceived rarely more than half a page in length. 8. Punctuation. The rules for punctuation given in the Style Book of the Government Printing Office should be observed. Aside from these the personal choice of the author will be considered, but a system of "open" punctuation is preferable, and it should never be so close as to confuse the reader or break the continuity of the language. 9. Literary style.-(a) The editorial reader must respect the author's style and make no change because of personal preference; but he should see that every sentence has an unmistakable meaning and expresses it with reasonable directness and simplicity and without violation of accepted usage in grammar or diction. (b) It is not enough that the context and the reader's knowledge of the subject prevent misunderstanding of a phrase or sentence; loose and uncertain forms of expression should not be permitted. Except in case of well-established idioms in good usage, it should be insisted that the words used, taken in their normal sense, actually convey the meaning intended. Common use in slovenly business correspondence should not be accepted as sufficient sanction for an unsatisfactory expression. (c) Care should be taken to avoid the use of numerous, long, or irrelevant modifying or parenthetical clauses or, except in rare instances, the inverted arrangement of the parts of sentences. (d) As the purpose of Government publications is, in general, to express facts, their chief merits of style are directness, simplicity, and conciseness. (e) It is not practicable to give here rules of grammar and diction. The standard dictionaries and treatises on the subject will suffice as general guides, and specific rules for the work of this Department will be adopted, with the approval of the Secretary, should they become necessary. 10. Titles.-A title should be so brief as to be readily remembered and cited, and yet should definitely indicate the subject of the book, and, so far as possible, its scope. A title should not, however, usurp the place of a list of contents. 98656°-15——7 11. Title page. The title page should include, besides the title, the name of the Department and of the bureau responsible for the publication, the seal of the Department, and an imprint showing the publisher and the place and date of publication; the name of the author of the book may also appear, but the names of administrative officers of the Department, other than heads of bureaus, should not appear, except as authors. 12. Contents. A table of contents should generally consist of the text headings, so indented from the left-hand margin as to show their relations. The preparation of these text headings has already been discussed. 13. Illustration legends, etc.-Every illustration, diagram, or other part of a paper that stands out from the text and is likely to be examined apart from it should have a comprehensive but concise title. Plates printed on separate sheets should have headlines identifying the volume in which the plates appear. 14. Tables. In accordance with the principle expressed in the preceding paragraph, important tables should always be provided with headings. Every column in a table should have a heading, which should be brief and accurate. Matter should not be put into tabular form unless it will make three or more columns. 15. Indexes.—(a) In index making the purpose of the index-to aid in finding things should always be borne in mind. The means commonly adopted is a series of phrases alphabetically arranged by some topical word, which, by inversion if necessary, is brought to the front. The choice of this word is the important part of the work. Words that will naturally be looked for should be chosen. Since such words will differ greatly with different classes of books and different classes of users, the character of the book and the probable users of the index should be kept in mind and a definite plan made before the work is begun. No word is likely to be looked for which, taken by itself, does not suggest the subject the entry covers, a rare exception being the case of two or more words habitually associated to express a single idea which is not expressed by the first word. (b) Each subject should be entered under all the words under which it might reasonably be expected to be found. When subentries are numerous they should be given under but one entry word, cross references being made to it from the others. Especial care should be used to refer under every entry word (except a cross reference) to all the places where the subject it represents is treated. Between entry words whose meanings overlap but do not coincide mutual cross references should be made. (c) Entries should be elaborated only so far as to prevent them from being misleading and to distinguish them from others. Each entry should merely name the subject discussed, and not present an abstract of the discussion. Occasion ally it may be desirable to arrange an abstract in index form, and when this is done the same principles that apply to indexes should be followed in the choice of entry words, double entering, cross referring, etc. 16. Bookmaking style.-(a) Editorial readers should maintain familiarity with modern printing and bookmaking and should adopt the forms best adapted to the class of work in hand. (b) The convenience of users of a book should be the primary consideration in the make-up. (c) Type and arrangement should be modest, tasteful, and harmonious. (d) Unless there is special reason for other practice, ordinary reading matter should be set in 10-point roman type and document (octavo) measure. Reports of bureaus must agree in form and style with the report of the Secretary. (e) The Style Book of the Government Printing Office will be followed in the publications of the Department in all but a few particulars. Such exceptions as seem desirable will be formulated by the Division of Publications and Supplies with the approval of the Secretary, as occasion arises, and notification of their adoption will be given to all concerned. (f) Editorial readers must be familiar with the law governing the public printing and binding and with the Department's regulations relating thereto, and must call attention to any violation thereof. ARTICLE III. SUPPLIES. Requisitions. Requisitions for supplies should be made in triplicate on forms provided for that purpose, approved by the head of the bureau or office issuing, and forwarded direct to the Division of Publications and Supplies for examination before approval by Chief Clerk. Requisitions should be made a sufficient time in advance of the need for the materials requested to allow for their purchase, if necessary, by the Division of Publications and Supplies. Full description of the article or articles desired must appear in each case, and requisitions prepared in the Department in Washington should be supplemented with the item number as indicated in the Schedule of Supplies for the current year, which should be strictly adhered to wherever possible. Invoices. Invoices in triplicate are forwarded to the bureaus or offices in Washington with the supplies or material furnished, one copy to be signed and returned to the Division of Publications and Supplies, one copy to be forwarded to the Auditor of Property Returns with the semiannual return of property, and one copy to be retained as a permanent file. Inquiries. All inquiries or complaints relative to supplies or materials, either before, during, or after purchase, must be made to the Chief of the Division of Publications and Supplies and not to contractors or their representatives. |