The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-10
Secretary of Commerce and La.
Dor Does Not Believe Any
Good Is Accomplished by
Keeping Confidential
Files.

partisan in the highest and broadcast sense It
| must recognize no distinction. as between large
and small interests. as between the affuent
Or powerful and the humblest citizen.
II II attempts TO occupy field that properly
belongs to private endeavor It will inevitably
fail to realize the high hopes OF its present
well-wishers. It must adhere rgidIy to the
lines marked out since the foundation OF the
Government for Federal agencies in executing
the will OF the people. II these general prin-
cipies are made effective. II conservatism and
impartiality. coupled with ever-increasing eff
cheney. mark Its administration, I cannot but
believe that this new department will become
mighty influence for good in our commercial
and Industrial affairs.
In regard to the character Of work done
in the department, the Secretary makes
some interesting remarks. After saying
that civil-service regulations have been
followed in every detail. Mr.. Cortelyou
adds:
Among other measures required to realize this
high standard the departmental files must be
conclusive. and the papers in all cases must
disclose the conditions that warranted the ac-
tion taken.
RESORT OF BLAcKMAILER
As far as practicable, 1 desire to do away
with confidential files. They are often the re-
sort OF the blackguari and blackmailer. Only
such files should be held confidential as the law
cry official document In the department.
whether IT relates to appointments. contracts
lied INSPECTION. and should AFFORD a I full and
satisfactory answer to every proper inquiry. .
men, COMPRISED 1sss Employs Il, G1 Warrington
and s.sS In q. the country at large. making
amounted 70 s.. 81: ~ ~ ''.'''''
rendered II impracticable. in the time between
the creation Of the department and the next
M
the bureaus and branches brought together II
Of new lines of ma u .he
dersiopment OF new plans Of administration.
Of , ssaa ,a sn to hs
tiP ,.o Of a, a building for the department.
Preparation to be expended under the imme-
date direction Of the Secretary for the investi-
cation OF trade conditions at home and abroad;
foreign commerce OF the United States. and for
other purposes.
PLANS OF ORGANIZATIONS
The determination Of those responsible for the
organization and administration Of the depart
ment to lay its foundations on broad lines and
to build thoroughly and conservativeIy for the
future has been very generally understood. In
Of this course. and then only from Amy those un
familiar with the magnitude of the task OF
necessity Of making LIBERAL provision - for or lis
growth and usefulness. 1t would have been
nounced demand for imedisse action e' in seG
tain directions. TO sacrifice the essentials OF
sound organization 10 desire 10. make an
from Ill considered and Ill timed Investigations.
BUREAUS TRANSFERRED
The Lighthouse Establishment. Bureau OF
Navigation. Steamboat Inspection Service,
Coast and Geodetic Survey. Bureau of Fisher
les. and Alaskan Fisheries Service have al
ready been transferred specifically to the de-
psrtment. Various duties relating to marine
gattas boarding u vessels. and the Enforce
mint m.nt Of the st: Marys River rules; have, also
in Congress disclose the purpose to give the
department general jurisdiction over ali mat
Of the serSiee. s noS IN e.,.s.nes
has its specific duties. there are various points
can be obtained only by Joint action or by tho
vision over all Two plans have been con
sidered the first To establish a marins board
IN S all the the seeons
d. signate one officer OF higher rank than u
der the Sec.erIy.
RUREA OF CORPORATIONS.
j, is the ~ OF the Bureau OF Corporations
to gather Information on the subject Of in
terstate Ind foreign commerce. to investigate
the o'Ilnization. conduct. and MANAGEMENT
OF corporations and Joint stock companies en-
carriers subject to the Jurisdiction Of the In
.ersta,e comm n,, commisson,. to rsEo.s the
through the Secretary of Commerce and Labor,
ind to compile and publish useful information
concerning corporations engaged in Interstate
and foreign commerce. including insurance COM
As an aid TO investigation the Commissioner
OF Corporations is given like powers to those
granted the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Results thus far obtained show that much
tSan is senslaIiy Supposed fh sti snowiedse al
particular corporations Will be OF decided value
in determining what further inf9rma,ion should
tentt NIL nj
facts at hand unnecessary Inquiries be
avoided.
FIELD IS WIDE
The field OF work that lies open to the bureau |
Is almost unlimited In extent. and It Is te-
lieved that. II proper means are made avail |
able. results Of far>reaching consequence can |
be accomplished Since the LIST OF July the bu-
mai ibs sseciai rr,,s 20 na
practically exhausted. In order that the in |
ana S GeEIn be &c
lied TO the best possible advantage a liberal ad-
granted.
Many corporations have been granted impor- |
ad o eap
hass acquired extensive influence in ,he indus
put lreSnsn,iy bred corruption IL
corperations was the expression Of q popular
belief that further safeguards should tie pro-
Which Special
by the people. Publicity will disclose unfair |
dealing. dishonesty and corruption. but. II prop
eriy enforced: II Will not disclose TO trade com
Re,.ors the fruits Of individual thrift and in
invasion Of private rights.
BUREAU OF LABOR.
The department is empowered TO acquire and |
iinuse among the people of the United States
Useful information subjects connected with
abor, in the most general and comprehensive
sense Of the word, especially regarding Its re-
alton to capital. such as the hours Of labor and |
The earnings OF labOring men and women: the
social. intellectual and moral condition: the e.s-
nents OF cost. or approximate cost. OF products;
he comparative cost OF living. and the Kind L
II living: the articles controlled by trusts or
Ions or labor. and the effect such trusts or
,ther combinations have on production and /
prices; the causes OF and facts relating to all !
and disputes between employers
md employees.
Capitalists and wage receivers are to be treat
d on equality. for In these matters relating
o labor and capital and to their respective rep
esentatives the department must stand, In the
such information az will enable each
,arty to understand more fully the prevailing
,onditionS
CANNOT INTERFERE.
The department has executive functions
ela,ive to the settlement Of labor disputes It
onnot interfere on behalf OF either employer or
Whatever enables either party to secure nee.
1oary information falls within the authority Of
Az. That authority does warrant the dep0rt-
nent in publishing any Information drawn nom