A subject index, "compiled in compliance with the provisions of a joint resolution approved March 3, 1897, which directs the preparation of an index to all publications of the government from 1881, the date at which the Descriptive catalogue of government publications by Ben: Perley Poore terminates, to 1893, the date at which the index by the superintendent of documents begins, said index to conform in its general plan to ... [Ames'] Comprehensive index of government publications from 1889 to 1893, ' published in 1894."

February issue includes Appendix entitled Directory of United States Government periodicals and subscription publications; September issue includes List of depository libraries; June and December issues include semiannual index