Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-12-12
THE COUNTRY IS PROSPEROUS.
Suggestions Touching Op""
Public PoIicy-The DePartmen's-
The Istiimian Canal and treaty
with Panama-Other 1atterS-
introduction.


tatives.
The country is 20 Ne congratulated
on the amount Of substantial achieve
mont which has marked the pas yeSr
both as regards our foreign and as re-
CARDS our domestic policy.
Corporations.
With a nation as with a man the
most important things are those OF the
household. and therefore the country
is especially 10 be cong atuiated on \
what has been accomplished in the d. +
rection OF providing FOR the exercise o. .
supervision over the great corporations 4
and combinations OF corporations "a
gagged in interstate commerce me
Congress has created the Department
OF Commerce and Labor. including the
Bureau OF Corporations. with Tor the
first time authority 20 secure proper
publicity OF such proceedings OF lneaV
great corporations as the pubic mas
the right 10 know. Ii has provided ior
the exDediting OF suits for the enforce
menr OF the Federal antitrust law anl
bv another law it has secured equal
treatment 20 all producers IN the trans
portation OF their goods. thus taklns
long stride forward In making euectiNe
the work OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
DEPARTMENT Ct Commerce and Labor.
The establishment Of the Department
of Commerce and Labor. with tne
Puroau OF Corporations hereunder.
marks a real advance in the direction
OF doing all that is possible TOT the -o-
linton of the questions vitality aheclins
capitansts and wage-Workers- Ihe all
creating the Department was aF9IoN -a
on February u. 1903. and Two Gag
81. ~ 20 -rHl IT
nominated and confirmed ny the sea
ATT since then the work OF organ. "a
ton has been pushed as rapidly as tn'
initial appropriations permitted. an'
with due regard 10 thoroughncss anf
the broad purposes which the DtpaIt
ment is designed TO serve. After tn
transfer OF the various bureaus an.
branches 20 the Department az the oe
ginning OF the current fiscal year
provided for in the act. the personne
COMPRISED $50 employees ID Wasulhs
ton and 1886 in the country at larE'
Tho scope OF the Departments dut
and authority embraces the commercis
and industrial interests or the Nattui
II ia not designed 20 restrict or coutr'
the fullest liberty OF legitimate Dus
ness action. but 10 secure exact and a.
thentic information which viii aid al
Executive in enforcing existing law
enact additional legislation, II al
should be found necessary. in order
prevent the few from obtaining PRIV
leres at the expense OF diminished o
portunities for the many.
bureau Of Corporations
The preliminary work of the Bure'
OF Corporations In the Department
shown the wisdom OF its creauo
Publicity In corporate affairs viii lei
10 do away with ignorance. ana w
afford facts upon which Intelligent
ton may be taken. Systematic. lhu
ligent investigation Is already deVeie
Ing facts the knowledge OF when Is
seEtial 20 a right understanding OF
needs and duties OF the business wor
The corporation which is honestly a
fairly organized. whose managers
the conduct Of its business recogn
sleir Obligation 20 deal sGuareiy W
their stockholders. their competitc
and the public has nothing TO 4
from such supervision. The purp
OF this Bureau is not 10 emearrass
assail legitimate business, but 10 AID
bringing about a better industrial c
dition-a condition under which IN
shall be obedience to law and recog
ton OF public obligation by all corpc
lions. great or small The Departm
OF Commerce and Labor Will be
only the clearing house for informal
regarding the business transactions
the Nation but the executive arm
the Government 10 aid in strength
ing our domestic and foreign mark
in perfecting our transportation
Nties. in building up our mercf
marine. in preventing the entranc
undesirable immigrants. IN lmpro'
commercial and industrial condiu
and in bringing together on com
ground those necessary partners IT
dustrial progress-capita1 ana Ia
Commerce between the nations
steadily growing In volume and
tendency OF the times Is toward q
trade relations Constant Watcl
ness is needed 70 secure 70 Amer
the chance TO participate 10 the
advantage in foreign trade, and
MANY confidently expect that the
Recruitment Will Justify the expects
Of IT'S creators by the exercise or
watchfulness. as we'll as by the
nesslike administration OF such
relating 10 our internal AFFAIRS As
insrusted 10 its care.
Capital and Labor
The consistent policy OF the Nat
Government. so far as II has the ?
Is to hold I'm check the unScrup
man. whether employer or emph
bu. 20 refuse To weaken individual
tfasive or TO hamper or cramp tf
dustrial development OF the COZ
We recognize that this IS an era o
Grafton aud combination. in
great capitalistic corporations al
bcr unions have become factors 0
mendous importance IN all tndu
canfera Hearty recognition Is Civ,