New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-04
NEW DEPARTMENT PROBABLE
THAT OF COMMERCE AND MANUFACT-
URES FAVORED BY THE PRESIDENT.


Washington May 3-The chances are sa'u 10 oe
good for adding a new and important portfoho 70
the Cabinet in the course OF the present Alumni
istration. as it is understood that the fres'ue".
will recommend to Congress the establishment VI
a Department Of Commerce and Manufactures
This is especially pleasing TO Senator Frye VINO
has long been heartily in favor Of this step ana
IN tho last Congress introduced bill for the pur-
pose which he intends to bring up again as soon
as there Is opportunity Most European Govern
nents have Ministries Of Commerce. among the
number being Great Britain, France, GERMANY
Italy Austria Spain. Portugal and Holland. Inc
United States has never had anything Of this KIND
the interests of its commerce having been taken
care OF in departments with which they nave no
natural relations.
The new Department proposed, It's advocates say
would not be so much the creation OF new ofnccs
as the reorganization of offices already existing III
other departments The Department Of Commerce
and Manufactures would include by transfer from
the Treasury Department such bureaus as the
Life Saving Service Lighthouse Board Marine
Uospital Service Steamboat Inspection and Navi-
CATION Bureaus United States Coast and Geodetlc
Survey and Bureau of Statistics. None OF these
logically have anything to do with the manage
ment OF National finances. on the contrary they
form an overgrown mass OF unrelated offices that
are a burden to the Treasury Department and are
as much out of place there as the Weather Bureau
was when attached to tho Signal Service Of the
War Department before It was finally transferred
TO the Department of Agriculture. .,--....-
The Department of Commerce ana manufactures
would also include, by transfer from the depart,
ment OF State the Bureau of Consular Service and
the Bureau of Statistics the latter to be consoli-
dated with the same from the Treasury Depart
ment. While the Department or state mas charge
of diplomatic relations with foreign Governments
Il is said that the Consular Service should be en-
rqy Of dfo and the
Consular Service would be placed on rational basis
to promote foreign trade and deal with problems
of Interstate commerce. In other words, 1t would
have general Jurisdiction over the foreign and IN
terstate commerce OF the United States, except In
so far as relates the administration and collec-
ton of customs and internal revenue laws, which
as heretofore would remain with the secretary OF
the Treasury.
The new Department would have jurisdiction over
all matters relating to the manufacturing interests
OF the United States. including the extension or
foreign markets and the increase of trade and trade
facilities with foreign countries. The grouping or
belong TO the Treasury and State department into
n Department of Commerce and Manufactures the
friends OF this scheme further argue. would great
" facilitate their operations and improve the pup
lie service. while the extra administrative machn-
cry and expense would be comparatively small
Another advantage to the public service would be
I'm reducing the present scope OF the treasury De-
psrtment and relieving the Secretary OF n load OF
irrelevant details which sufficient TO incapac-
tate him for the performance of legitimate duties.
besides the immense patronage acquired by this
Department. and therefore great political intu-
ence The proposed change would correct these
evils and enable the Secretary OF the treasury 10
give his attention TO the management VI tllc
tiona finances. , , It,.
There are at present, as is well known, eight
Executive Departments The hrst I'VE were ere
Tustice and POstofiice. The Navy Department fol-
lowed in 1199 and half century later the De-
partment OF the Interior was created. The bureau
Mace I'm the Cabinet just at the close OF President
t'levelands first Administration.