The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-10
Appointment of Assistant
Secretary Would Make 1t
Possible to Organize Them
All in One Bureau.
Statistical Work Requires
More Active Assistance
From COnSuIS for Supply
ing Foreign Trade Infor-
nation.

The first annual report of the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor gives a
full account OF the progress made in
the organization OF the department, dis
cCsses at considerable length the work
OF the various bureaus, complies with
the several provisions of law relating
10 statements Of moneys received and
disbursed. and makes such comments
and recommendations IN regard 10 COM
mercial and industrial affairs as appear
10 be warranted by existing conditions
The following are extracts from Sec
rotary Cortelyous report:
On July ], 1873, the personnel of the
department comprised 1,2S9 employees in
Washington and SS36 IN the country at
large, making a total If 1O125. The ap-
preparations TO be expended under the
direction OF the department amounted
to s.. 7s6. s47.
The estimates for the department
represent actuai needs. The Secretary
calls special attention 20 his recon-
mendation of last year for an apprO-
priation for the construction of a build
ing for the department
Special Investigations.
Provision is made in the estimates
for an appropriation to be expended un-
der the immediate direction of the Sec
rotary for the investigation Of trade
conditions at horne and abroad. with
the object of promoting the domestic
and foreign commerce of the United
States. and for DINER purposes.
The civn service regulations have
been observed in every detail from the
establishment of the department. APP
= pointments have been made and Will
be made strictly upon merit, whether
in cases exempt from such requirements
Among other measures required 10
realize this high standard the depart
rnent files must be conclusive. and the
papers in all cases must disclose the
conditions that warranted the action
taken As far as practicable desire 10
do away with confidential files. They
are often the resort OF the BLACKBOARD
and blackmailer. Only such files should
held confidential as the law requires or
public considerations demand. Every
official document in the department,
whether it relates 10 appointments, con-
tracts. or other subjects, should be ac-
cessible 70 authorized inspection. and
should afford a fun and satisfactory an
swer 10 every proper inquiry.
Concentration of Marine Bureaus.
The lighthouse establishment. Blu
reau Of Navigation. Steamboat Inspec-
tion Service, Coast and Cieodetic Sur
vey. Bureau f Fisheries and Alaskan
Fisheries SeTvice have already been
transferred specifically to the depart
ment Various duties relating to ma
rine affairs, as the regulation Of an
chOrages regatLas. boarding OF vessels
and the enforcement OF the St Mary S
River rules. have also been assigned
- the department. The debates in Con-
gress disclose the purpose TO give the
department general jurisdiction over all
matters relating 70 merchant shipping
While each OF the marine services now
in existence has its specifice duties.
there are various points at which the
work OF one touches or affects another
Two plans have been considered, the
first 10 establish a marine board com
posed OF the heads Of all the bureaus
concerned IN marine affairs. the second
TO designate one officer Of higher rank
than a bureau chief as the supervisory
authority. under the Secretary.
While committees and boards are use
fuI in legislative and deliberative affairs.
complete students Of government are
agreed that in the administration and
execution Of laws the most satisfactory
results can be obtained by fixed respon-
sibility in one competent head. This will
bic in the administration Of the branches
OF the department There is a natural
division between marine affairs and land
affairs The appoint ment of an assist
ant secretary Of the department win
permit a concentration Of control over
marine affairs IN a bureau Of marine af-
fairs from which satisfactory results
are anticipated
Statistical Work
One Of the most important branches Of
the department. work is that OF stats
tics BY the organic act this new exec
ufive establishment Is made the stats
teal department Of the Government.
The department aims 10 furnish the
business world with more prompt. more
complete, and more reliable statistical
reports upon the various subjects OF
commercial and Industrial interest Spe-
clal efforts are being made 10 extend its
facuiues FOR supplying foreign trade in
formation. and more active assistance
VIII be required from the consular ser
vice. The relation Of this service TO the
new department is ore Of its pressing
Problems. which in the immediate future
must be- the subject Of administrative as
well as legislative consideration. Essen
tally commercial officers. they should
play a vital part in the extension Of
our foreign trade
All possible means VIII be employed
for the extension Of our export trade in
products Of the farm as well as a man
ufactured articles. Wherever possible
the cooperation Of the Department OF
Agriculture viii be sought, in order that
these tEo branches Of the Government
service may work together FOR the bene-
IN Of the American farmer.
ia addition 10 the measures that have
been taken FOR the reorganization and
Improvement Of existing branches Of the