Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-21

the senate or the House or Representatives
to get the result of the investigation now
being conducted by the bureau of corpora
tions of the Department of Commerce and
Labor, which is seeking to gather all the
state laws and the results of all recent in
vestigations relating to corporations. 1t is
believed that this work of tire bureau win
bring together for the first time all in
formation of an official or judicial nature
bearing on such corpora tons.
Mr.. Garfeld's Work.
Commissioner Garfield, acting under the
authority conferred upon the Department
of Commerce and Labor looking to publicity
in the affairs of corporations, has begun his
work by providing his bureau with all in
formation of this kind that it is possible
to get. Legislative and judicial nvestiga-
tons into the affairs of corporations form
a very voluminous collection of records and
extend back about thirty years.
In many cases these records have been
published, but in still more instances testf-
mony that has been taken has been re-
ported, but, generally because of Il lack
of funds, has only been kept on the files
of the courts in which it has been taken.
AS rule legislative Investigations have
been published, but that has not been done
in all instances. Frequently Investigating
committees have reported their findings
and testimony on which they have been
But a rule testimony in which there has
been a widespread interest at the time has
been made easy of access by its publlca-
ton. This has generally been the case in
relation to the testimony affecting large
corporations.
The work of gathering this mass of in
formation is being pushed as rapidly
as possible Commissioner Garfield IS get
ting together a corps of assistants whose
experience would fit them for work of this
nature. The success of these efforts de-
pends in a very large measure upon locat-
ing all available records. When these rec
ordS have been secured they will be ciaSSi-
fed in such manner that it will be easy
to have access to all information bearing
on each line of industry of an interstate;
nature and upon each corporation that has
been the subject of inquiry in the past.
Information From the Corporations.
When the work of collecting this mate
rial has been completed the next step to
be taken will be to formulate a plan for
securing additional information from the
corporations, in order to bring all data
on hand up to date and to secure other
informant ton needed to complete the his
tory of the great corporations of the coun-
try. That can be done either by submit
ting lists of questions to the corporations
or by special Investigations to be car
ried on by the commissioner by calling
witnesses No plan for accomplishing these
results has yet been formulated, and 1t
will probably be several months before any
definite plan is decided upon. In the case
of various insurance companies time has
been taken by the forelock and all the
information that it is supposed will be
called for has been sent to the bureau.
This class of corporations will probably
not be affected by anything the bureau
may in the future be instrumental in do
ing They are not in the classes of cor
porations that are at all liable to be pro.
ceeded against under any charge of a re-
StrictiOn ot trade.
1t is yet to be seen whether any obstacle
will be placed in the way of the bureau
securing information in rela ton to the
business of corporations. The commissioner
of corporations is authorized by the law
to gather such information and data as
will enable the President of the United
States to make recommendations to Con-
gress for legislation for the regulation of
such commerce." the commerce indicated
being distinguished from that of common
carriers which come under the supervision
of the interstate commerce commission
This is to enable the President to make
recommendations to Congress for legisla-
ton for the regulation of such commerce.
There is one phase of this law the inter-
probation of which may cause wide DIFF
ference of opinion. 1t is provided that the
commissioner shall exercise the same au-
thority in respect to the corporation COM
ing within his jurisdiction that is exercised
by the interstate commerce commission IN
respect to common carriers so far as the
same NAV be applicable What bearing
of Importance, if any, that phrase may have
on the scope of his powers is yet to be as
certained.
No Hostility to Investigation.
Nothing has yet been done by any corpor-
alton within the knowledge of the depart
ment to indicate that there will be any
hostility toward the carrying out of the IN
yestigations to be entered upon IN the
case of an individual doing an interstate
commerce business in competition with
corporation the law would apply to the cor
poraton, but not to the Individual IL is
supposed by men who have given special
thought to this line of legislation that cases
might arise in which corporation would
have serious objection to giving informatlo
bearing on it's methods of doing business II
that information might come into the hand
or hands of any individual not required to
make like report and competing against
the corporation. But such cases, 1t IS be-
lieved, will be rare.
When the bureau has once come Into
possession of mass of information reiat-
ing to corporations it will then be possible
to so thoroughly scan the facts as to per-
nit an intelligent judgment whether these
facts tend to prove any violation of the law
against restraint of trade to degree
sufficient to warrant the bringing of a suit
by the Attorney General. Those who are
gathering information of this nature have
found that much data on which public opl1-
ion has been based in respect to corpora
tions is of a very unsatisfactory kind and
great care is being taken to separate re-
liable from unreliable information II Is
believed the bureau will be enablco 70 cuu
from the mass of material available re-
liable and salient facts that will permit
sound judgment to be taken on questlon5
In relation to corporations, ana IN tnat way
alone to place the entire subject on
higher plane for intelligent discussion botn
in and out OF Congress than has been pos
sible in the past.