The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-10
INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
REPORT AS TO COMBINATIONS
Remedies Reported Including Grow.
ing Franchise Tax and Tariff
= Conversations. '=e- ~ 49,

/ Washington, Feb. 10.-The second part
OF the report Of the industrial commits
sion has. been made public. 1t covers
manufactures and Industrial combina-
tions, and in it's recommendations quotes
from its report to. congress in 1900, in
which It. then recommended: ...-
That the promoters and organizers of cor
porations Or Industrial combinations which
look to the public to purchase or deal In
their stocks or securities should be required
to furnish full, details regarding the organiza-
ton
That any prospectus or announcement Of
any kind soliciting subscriptions which fails
to make full disclosures as aforesaid, or
which is false, should be deemed fraudulent.
In addition the commission now rec
Omm ends Is 80, 80. ~s,.
That district attorneys Of the United States
be authorized and directed to 1institute pro-
ceedings for violations of the federal anti
trust laws that stringent laws be enacted by
congress and the several state legislatures
making both penal and criminal the vicious
practice Of discriminating between customers,
and cutting rates or prices in one locility
below those which prevail generally, for the
purpose of destroying local competition; and
that ouch laws should give:to any person
damaged the right to sue for and recover
prescribed penalties and make it the duty of
prosecuting officers to proceed against the
offenders.
That, to prevent DISQUALIFICATION, the sew
eral state legislatures enact laws similar in
the anti stock-watering laws Of Massachu-
sets; also, to provide for state supervision
+ Of all public service corporations, with power
to recommend or regulate rates for service,
and to pass upon the public need, desirabili-
ty or exiGency Of any proposed new service
That an annual franchise tax be imposed
upon all state corporations engaged in inter-
state commerce. calculated upon the gross
earnings Of each corporation from its inter
state business; that the. minimum rate Of
such tax be low, but that the rate be gradu-
ally increased with increased earnings.
That there be created in the treasury de-
partment permanent bureau, the duties of
which shall be to register all state corpora
lions engaged in Interstate foreign COM
meroe; and to enforce penalties against de-
ltnquents and to collate and publish informa-
ton regarding such combinations and the
industries IN which they may be engaged. so
as to furnish to the congress proper informa-
ton for the possible future legislation.
That. If a department Of commerce and in
dustry shall be established, one Of it's func-
lions should be to call attention from time
TO time to such economic changes in the
worlds progress may suggest tariff modi-
hcations and also to such commercial oppor.
tun1ttes as. may suggest reciprocal legtsla-
ton or arrangements, and, furthermore, to
any evils incident to combinations which
changes in the tariff will correct.
That, in view Of the extent and perfection
Of American manufactures, of the growing
export trade and the sharp competition ZEN
counters In foreign markets, of the practice
by SOME exporters Of making lower prices
abroad than at home, and of the desrability
OF protecting the consumer well as the
producer, without awaiting other legislation,
congress provide for a commission to inves-
tigate and study the subject, and to report
as soon slposstble what concessions in duties
may be made without endangering wages or
employment at home; what advantages abroad
may be obtained therefor, and also to sug-
gest measures best suited to- gain the ends
desired. ~