The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-10
DEPARTMENT OF ~" 80
COMMERCE AND LABOR.
rst Annual Report Of the New Executive
Department.

through the Secretary of Commerce
and Labor, and to compile and publish
useful information concerning corpora
lions engaged in interstate and foreign
commerce. including insurance COM
panies.
AS an aid to investigation, the COM
missioner of corporations is given like
powers to those granted the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
Since the organization of the bureau
on Feb. 26. 1908, exhaustive studies
have been undertaken in the following
fields
First A systematic study of the
law creating the bureau.
Second. The general subject of in
terstate commerce and the powers of
the federal government in relation
Third. The decisions of the Federal
courts relating to corporations en-
gagged in interstate commerce which are
subject to the jurisdiction of the bu-
reau.
Fourth. The jurisdiction and powers
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion.
Fifth. The decisions of the Federal
courts in relation to trade conspira-
cies, mOnOpolies and combinations in
restraint OF trade.
Sixth. The corporation laws of the
various states and territories. partic-
ularly those relating to the annual re-
ports and the returns for taxation
purposes required from such corpora
tions.
Seventh. The method of taxing cor
porations in each state and the deci-
sions relating to the taxation of in.
terstate commerce.. ..
Eighth. The effect of industrial
combinations upon the prices of the
commodities sold by such combina-
tions, the effect of tariff duties upon
the prices of commodities subject to
such duties, and the reasons for the
difference, if any exists, between the
domestic and foreign prices of COM
modities manufactured by the protect
ed industrial combinations of this
country.
Ninth. The powers of the Federal
government in relation to insurance
companies.
From a preliminary study, it became
apparent that the public records of
states and territories, the reports of
special committees appointed under
state or federal authority, the files of
certain government offices, and various
commercial and industrial publications
contained a fund of valuable informa-
ton on the subjects to be investigated
This information is being brought to-
gether, analysed and properly indexed
in order that~the facts already known
may be utilized and planning more
specific inquiries. -...
The creation of the bureau was view
ed by some with alarm, or at least with
1t was feared that the pow
ers granted might be hastily or i'm
advisedly used to the injury of legi-
time enterprise. No such purpose actu-
ated the trainers of the law; no such
purpose will control it's administration.
Many corporations have been granted
important privileges by the public,
and some of these corporations, through
of capital, have acquired
extensive influence in the industrial
affairs of the country. Such privileges,
if used improperly, not only retard
the progress of industry, but frequent
ly breed corruption in politics. The
creating the Bureau of Cor
porat tons was the expression of
popular belief that further safeguards
should be provided for the regulation
of business enterprises to which special
privileges have been granted by the
people. Publicity will disclose unfair
dealing, dishonesty, and corruption; but
If properly enforced it will not dis
close to trade competitors the fruits of
individual thrift and initiative, nor per-
nit in any other manner the invasion
of private rights.
The department is empowered to &C
1uire 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 its
relation to capital such as the hours
Of labor and the earnings of laboring
men and women; the means in general
IF promoting their material, social, in
Lellectual and moral condition; the ele- +
nents of cost, or approximate cost, of
products; the comparative cost of liV-
ng, and the kind of living; the articles
controlled by trusts or other combina-
ions of capital, business, operations,
Or labor, and the effect such trusts or
)the1 combinations have on production I
md prices; the causes of and facts re-
ating to all controversies and disputes
employers and employees.
Capitalists and wage receivers are to I
be treated on an equality for in these
matters relating to labor and capital I
md to their respective representatives
he department must stand in the po-
,ition of an educational office, collect J,
ng and publishing such information as
will enable each party to understand
more fully the prevailing conditions.
The department has no executive
functions relative to the settlement of
abor disputes. 1t can not interfere
IN behalf of either employer or en-
,loye in controversies arising between :;
hem.
The new department should not be
to do impossible things. II it
an be helpful to any considerable ex-
ent in improving existing relations as
employer and employe; II it's
publications. can furnish facts from
which there may come fuller under
landing; II, having gained the conf
ence of the people, il can, from time i
o time, point the way TO better feeling
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