" 'The fading of much of the ink used in records of comparatively recent date, while as a rule the records of two hundred years ago are as legible as when written, establishes the fact that for permanent qualities much of the modern ink is inferior to the ancient, and that inks are used that are unfit for making a record which should stand for all time. " 'I am led to believe that most ink in manufacturers make inks which are good for commercial and other uses where there is no desire for a permanent record, but which they would not recommend for use where the important object was the permanency of the record. One of the dangers to which our records are exposed can be obviated by the use of proper inks; and I desire to obtain the opinion of the leading manufacturers on the subject, that I may advise the recording officers of the State what are, and what are not, safe inks to use for records. " 'I shall esteem it a favor, therefore, if you will answer the enclosed questions, and return them at your convenience. Your reply will be treated as confidential as far as names are concerned, except in the answer to question No. 5, and that will not be printed if you so request. Any general opinion which will aid the recording officers in their selection of ink or paper will be welcomed. " '1. Do you consider it safe to use for a permanent record aniline inks? " '2. Do you consider it safe to use for a record logwood inks? " '3. Do your consider nut-gall and iron inks absolutely safe for a permanent record? " '4. Do you consider carbon ink the only permanent ink? " '5. What inks of your manufacture would you advise against using for a permanent record? " '6. Do you advise generally against the inks known as writing fluids, when permanency is the first requisition? " '7. Do you manufacture a writing fluid? " '8. Do you consider it safe to add water to ink intended for permanent record, which has grown thick by exposure to the air? " '9. Do you believe that the obliteration of ink is ever due to the chemicals left in the paper? (This question has been asked of the paper manufacturers also.) " '10. Do you consider it safe to mix inks without knowing to what chemical group the inks so mixed belong?' "Replies were received from twenty-two manufacturers. Several of the inks in the market, though bearing the name of certain persons, were found to be manufactured for them by manufacturers who had already answered the questions. Their replies were, therefore, not considered. "To the first question, 'Do you consider it safe to use for a permanent record aniline inks!' the unanimous answer was decidedly no. Aniline black is absolutely permanent, but as it is not yet known how to render it soluble in water, it has not been much used in ink. "To the inquiry in regard to logwood inks, nearly all answered no, and most of those who did not qualified their answers to such an extent as to imply distrust.