The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-12-17
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Cortelyou Submits His First
Annual Report.
WORK OF VARIOUS BUREAUS
is DISCUSSED AT LENGTH
The Status of Corporations Is Out.
lined-They Need Not Fenr Opera
ions of the Bureau If Conducted
FairIy-Capital and Labor Are to
Be Equally Considered.

washington, Lee. ll.-Ine nrSL annu-
al report of Mr.. Cortelyou, the secretary
of commerce and labor, gives a full &C.
count Of the progress made in the or
ganization of the department, discusses
at considerable length the work OF the
various bureaus, complies with the sew
eral provisions of law relating to state
ments of moneys received and disbursed,
n makes such comments and recon-
mendations in regard to commercial
and Industrial affairs as appear to be
warranted by existing conditions.
Bureau of Corporations.
]: is the duty of the bureau Of corpo-
rations to gather information on the
subject of interstate and foreign COM
merce, to investigate the organization,
conduct and management of corpora
tions and joint stock companies engaged
in such commerce (other than common
carriers subject to the jurisdiction of
the interstate commerce commission),
to report the results of such investiga-
lions to the president through the secre-
tary of commerce and labor, and to COM
pile and publish useful information con
corning corporations engaged in inter-
state and foreign commerce, including
insurance companies.
The creation of the bureau was viewed
by some with alarm, or at least with
suspicion. 1t was feared that the powers
granted might be hastily or inadvisedly
used to the injaFy CT legitimate en,tr-
prise. No such purpose actuated the
trainers of the law; no such purpose
will control it's administration. Many
corporations have been granted impor-
tant privileges by the public, and some
of these corporations, through CONSOLE
dation Of capital, have acquired eX-
tensive influence in the industrial af-
fairs of the country. Such privileges, if
used improperly, not only retard the
progress of industry but frequently
breed corruption in politics. The legis-
lation creating the bureau of corpora
lions was the expression of a popular
belief that further safeguards should
be provided for the regulation of bust
ness enterprises to which special priv
Ileges have been granted by the people.
Publicity will disclose. unfair dealing,
dishonesty and corruption; but if prop
erly enforced it will not disclose to trade
competitors the fruits of individual
thrift and initiative, nor permit in any
other manne the invasion of private
rights.
Relations Of labor and Capital.
The department is empowered to &C.
quire and diffuse among the people of
the United States useful information on
subjects connected with labor, In the
most general and comprehensive sense
of the word, especially regarding it's re-
lation to capital, such as the hours OF
labor and the earnings of laboring men
and women; the means in general oil
promoting their material, social, intel
lectual and moral condition; the ele-
ments of cost, or approximate cost, of
products; the comparative cost of living
and the kind Of living; the articles con-
trolled by trusts or other combinations
of capital, business operations or labor,
and the effect such trusts or other COM
binations have on production and
prices; the causes of and facts relating
to all. controversies and disputes be-
tween employers and employees. Cap
italists and wage receivers are to be
treated on an equality.
The department has no executive
functions relative to the settlement Of
labor disputes. 1t cannot interfere on
behalf of either employer or employe in
controversies arising between them.
Employer and employe are dependent
upon each other, and the recognition of
the welfare of both, and of the means of
assisting in securing that welfare, will be
a%ssiduously cultivated.
After going at some length into opera
tons of the lighthouse board, census bu-
-reau, coast and geodetic survey, steam
boat inspection service, bureau of fish
cries, bureau of navigation, the Panama
canal, capture of private property at sea,
trade with the Philippines, immigration,
naturalization. the report concludes:
Future of the Department..
1.-THE department deals with the great
concerns. of commercial and industrial
life. To be of service to these interests
it must have their hearty cooperation
and support. It must be a department of
business. 1t must be progressive, but at
the same time conservative. 1t must not
deviate in it's course from the pathway
of justice, strict and impartial. 1t must
be nonpartisan in the highestand broad
est sense. 1t must recognize no distinc-
ton, as between large and small inter-
ests, as between the affiuent or powerful
and the humblest citizen. If it attempts
to occupy a field that properly belongs to
private endeavor it will inevitably fail
to realize the high hopes of its present
well-wishers. 1t must adhere rigidly to
the lines marked out since the founda-
ton of the government for federal
agencies in executing the will of the peo-
pie. If these general principles are made
effective, if conservatism and impartial
ity, coupled with ever-increasing eff
cheney, mark its administration, l cannot
but believe that this new department
will become a mighty influence for good
in our commercial and Industrial af-
fairs"