Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-07

A circular letter has been issued at
the War Department, addressed to de-
partment commanders, giving addi-
tiOnal information concerning the in
spection of militia under the order
promulgated recently. The circular
says:
1T will be enjoined upon such officers
that they will exercise the greatest
care and tact in their dealings with
the national guard, so as to encourage
harmonious cooperation. Companies
will. as a rule, be inspected at their
home stations and at times the avoca-
lions of men and officers will not be in
terfered with. All other things being
equal, there is no objection to having
the dates of these inspections coincide
with the dates of state inspections, or
to having a state inspector or an officer
of the national guard accompany the
officer you detail
'One of the prime objects of this in
spection being to bring about as quick
ly as possible the issue of magazine
arms and equipments, so that the
states can make use of these arms in
their target practice and encampments
of this year, it should take place with
out delay. An inspector should be de-
tailed for each state or territory"
The bureau of corporations, under
James r. Garfield, has been organized,
ard the staff is pretty well made up.
It's first work is to ascertain what laws
and regulations are now in force in the
4 c., toe dino tr-nl nf
corpora tons. Mr. Garfield is now de-
voting his attention to that subject,
and will probably prepare a compia-
ton of statutes relating to that sub
ject. He will next make a census of
corpora tons doing an interstate bust
ness. He has jurisdiction over every
class except railways and other trans
portation companies. Then, when his
list is complete, he will send out a Cir
Cular calling for comprehensive reports
of their conditions and transactions.
These reports will be confidential but
will be the basis of the future action
of the bureau. Mr.. Garfield and his
associates will make it their business
to find out about the affairs of every
corporation ard furnish to the public
be asked for by their stockholders and
bondholders, their creditors and people
doing business with them.
Corporations are not waiting for a
call. but are already sending in state
ments of their conditions and affairs.
Nearly every one of the large life insur-
dnce companies has been heard from.
MIR. Garfield has also received num-
Der of complaints and charges attack
ling the management of several impor-
liant enterprises. These come from stock
holders and from other persons who
want the affairs of certain designated
| companies looked into. The officials OF
the bureau, however, have not reached
a point where they can understano
such a task. They are going very
slowly and cautiously. They will firsi
| ascertain directly from the officials Of
the corporations such facts and figures
as they are entitled to under the law
and if the companies decline to furnish
them the bureau will appeal to the
courts, Then when complaints are flee
or inquiries made the commissioner
will be prepared to answer intelligently
and impartially and take what actor
is necessary in the premises. No rad
ical measures will be adopted. No Sc
we're restrictions will be imposed. I'm
der the law the commissioner Of cor
porations has right to know all abou
the affairs of every organization en-
gagged in interstate commerce, ane