The San Francisco call., 1903-12-08

O the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives: The country IS to be con-
graduated on the amount OF sub
stsntial achievement which has
marked the past year both as regards
our foreign and as regards our do
nnestic policy. With a nation as with a man
the most important things are those Of the
household. and therefore the country is espe-
cially 10 be congratulated on what has been
accomplished IN the direction Of providing for
the exercise Of supervision over the great cor
porations and combinations Of corporations en-
gagged in interstate commerce.
The Congress has created the Department
Of Commerce and Labor including the Bureau
OF Corporations. with for the first time au-
thority 70 secure proper publicity OF such pro-
ceeoings OF these great corporations as the
public has the right 10 know II has pro-
video for the eXpediting Of suits for the en-
1orcement OF the Federal antitrust Law; and
by another law II has secured equal treatment
10 all producers IN the transportation OF their
goods. thus taking = long stride forward in
making effective the work OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission
The establishment Of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor, with the Bureau OF Cor
pCrations- Hereunder marks real advance
IN the direction Of doing al that is possible
for the solution OF the questions vitally Affect
ing capitalists and wage workers The act
creating the denartment was approved on
February IA. 1893. and two days later the head
~ the department was nominated and con-
hrned by the Senate. Since then the work OF
organization has been pushed as rapidly as
tne initial appropriations permitted, and with
Que regard TO rhOruughness and the broad rrlr-
poses which the department is designed TO
serve. after the transfer Of the various bu-
reaus and branches 70 the department at the
beginning of the current fiscal year as pro-
Fided Tor IN the act the personnel comprised
l@eo employees in Washington and SS36 in the
country al large The scope Of the depart
ment's duty and authority embraces the com
mercial ard industrial interests OF the nation
IT Is not designed 70 restrict control the
fullest liberty OF legitimate business action
but 20 secure exact and authentic information
which viii aid the executive in enforcing ex-
listing laws and which viii enable the Con-
gress 70 enact additional legislation. if any
should be found necessary. in order to prevent
me rev from obtaining privileges at the ex-
pense OF diminished opportunities for the many.
The preliminary work o. the Bureau OF Cor
porations IN the deDartment has shown the
wisdom or its creation. Publicity in cornorat te
affairs VII tend 90 do away with ignorance
and viii afford facts upon which intelligent
action may be taken. Systematic. intelligent
know leage OF which is essential to a right
understanding Of the needs ard duties OF the
honestly and fairly organized whose man
ayers IN the conduct Of its business recognize
their obligation 10 deal sQuarely with their
stockholders. their competitors and the public
has nothing 70 fear from such supervision. The
purpose Of this bureau is not 10 embarrass OF
assai legitimate business but TO aid in bring
dition under which there shall be obedience 10
law and recognition of public obligation by all
corpora tions. great or small.
The Department Of Commerce and Labor will
be not only the clearing house for Information
regarding the business transactions Of the ma
ton but the executive arm Of the Government
10 aid IN strengthening domestic and for
eign markets IN Derfecting our transportation
facilities. IN building up our merchant marine.
in preventing the entrance OF undesirable i'm
migrants. IN improving commercial and indus
trial conditions and in bringing together on
common ground those necessary partners In
industrial prugress-cspital and labor.