THE UNIVERSE OF INFORMATION.pdf - ideals

d) the time required for the necessarily repeated writing of
library numbers is potentially greater for complicated than for simple
ones.
2) Our form divisions are used so widely in libraries for such a large
amount of material that the inconvenience and expense of changing
them on a vast number of volumes and records now bearing them
would outweigh almost any theoretic argument for your (O), even
if your curves did not add two characters to our rjumbers and lessen
their simplicity.
We greatly regret the difference between DC and CD numbers for
the same thing (i. e. form divisions) and the consequent use of the
same number for two different things (i. e. O by DC for form and
by CD for generalities [actually analytic subdivisions]). We ought if
possible to find some way to avoid this clash, since we mutually deplore
lit and recognise its disadvantages. For you, untrammeled by consideration
of library call numbers and shelf use, your plan has advantages
over ours; but for us, burdened by a heavy train of usage and
pledges not to make changes except for a gain outweighing their
cost and also by the fundamental principle of limiting our notation
to our tables, it is impossible ... 7S
It was clear from this letter that divergencies would inevitab-
3y continue to occur, especially given the use of the common
subdivisions. By devising the tables of the common subdivisions
the Belgians had released many numbers for further and
parallel development in a way that was impossible for the
Americans to follow if they took cognizance of these common
aspects of subjects variously in the tables themselves. Inevitably
numbers would be blocked in the American tables and
the enumeration of subdivisions after them would differ from
that of the Belgians. Otlet fought back. He sent off almost immediately
two notes to counter May Seymour's arguments
against the Belgian classification. One was called «An Examination
of the Arguments against the Use of Composite Numbers
in Libraries*, the other, «How to Combine the Notation
of the Decimal Classification, Widespread in America, with
that of the CD, Principally used in Europe». 79 Presumably they
had no effect and as more and more of the American tables
were prepared, Otlet and La Fontaine became increasingly
disturbed. After receiving the tables for 62, Otlet wrote, «At
first sight, I observe with great regret numerous divergencies
in the classification.* Later in the month, he received the tables
for 621.3—9 and for 614.84 and again he and his colleagues had
noticed with dismay
the considerable number of modifications to the CD, and we want to
ask you in all cases to conform as strictly as possible. We have made
a very great effort to maintain the original order of the classification.
It is therefore simple reciprocity that we ask... The Decimal
Classification has made great progress in Europe in these last years,
and its advantages are beginning to be understood; the tremendous
suppleness given to it by our Institute by way of the principles of
combination has also been noted. But all the fruits of numerous years
of propaganda and of battling for the superior principle will be lost.
It is necessary never to lose sight of the unification of classification —
103