The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-07
The MESSAGE.

To the Senate and House OF Represen-
tatives:
The country is TO be congra tulated on
the amount OF substantial achievement
which has marked the past year both as
regards our foreign and as regards our
domestic policy.
With n nation as with man the most
important things arc those OF the house
hold. and therefore the country is es-
pecially TO he congratulated on what
has been accomplished in' the direction
OF providing for the exercise OF super
vision over the great corporations and
combna tions OF corporations engaged i'm
interstate commerce. The congress has
created the department of commerce and
labor including the bureau OF corpora
tions. with for the first time authority
10 secure proper publicity Of such pro-
ceedngs Of these great corporations as
the public has the right to know. II
has provided for the expediting Of suits
for the enforcement OF the federal anti
trust law: and by another law II has Sc
cured equal treatment to all producers
I'm the transportation OF their goods, thus
taking long stride forward I'm making
effective the work OF tho interstate com
DEPARTMENT or COMMERCE AND
LABOR.
The establishment of the department
OF commerce and labor with the bureau
OF corporations Hereunder marks a real
advance I'm the direction of doing all that
IS possible for the solution OF the ques-
tions vitally affecting capitalists and
wase workers The act creating the de-
partment was approved ON February a.
1908 and two days later the head Of tne
department. was nominated and con-
frmed by the senate. Since then the
work Of organization has been pushed as
rapidly as the initial appropriations per
mitted and with due regard TO thorough
ness and the broad purposes which the
department Is designed TO serve. After
the transfer Of the various bureaus and
branches 10 the department at the be-
ginning Of the current fiscal year. as pro-
vided for In the act. the personnel com
prised 1889 employees i'm Washington and
ssss I'm the country at large. The scope
OF the departments duty and authority
embraces the commercial and industrial
interests OF the nation. II is not de-
signed to restrict or control the FULLEST
liberty OF legitimate business action. hut
10 secure exact and authentic informa-
tion which Wall aid the executive In en-
forcing existing laws. and which Will en-
able the congress to enact additional
legislation. II any should be found neces-
sary. I'm order TO prevent the few from
obtaining privileges at the expense OF
diminished opportunities for the many.
BUREAU OF CORPORATIONS.
The preliminary work OF the bureau OF
corporations in the department has shown
the wisdom OF its creation. Publicity I'm
corporate affairs will tend TO do away
with ignorance, and will afford facts
upon which intelligent action may be
taken. Systematic. intelligent investiga-
tion Is already developing facts the knowl-
edge OF which Is essential TO right
understanding of the needs and duties OF
the business world. The corporation
which IL honestly and fairly organized
whose managers In the conduct Of its
business recognize their obligation TO deal
sauarely with their stockholders. their
competitors and The public, has nothing
TO fear from such supervision. The pur-
pose of this bureau Is not 10 embarrass
or assail legitimate business but TO aid
I'm bringing about a better industrial con-
dition-a condition under which there
shall be obedlepce TO law aud recognition
Of public obligation 10y all corporations.
Great or small.
The department II commerce and labor
gill be not only the clearing house for