New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08
REGULATION OF TRUSTS.

L 81
With a nation. as with a man. the most i'm
portant things are those Of the household. and
therefore the country is especially to be con-
graduated On what has been accomplished in
the direction Of providing for the exercise of
supervision over the great corporations and
CON binaticns of corporations engaged IN inter
state COMMERCE. The Congress has created the
Department of Commerce and Labor, incluolng
the Bureau of Corporations. with, Tor the mrs.
time authority 10 secure proper pubnclty o.
such proceedings Of these great corporations aS
the public has the right TO know. II mas pro
vided for the eNpediting Of suits for the enforce
ment OF the Federal Antitrust law. ana oy
cnother law il has secured equal treatment 10
al producers in the transportation OF men
goods. thus taking long stride forward IN mar mas
ing effective the work of the Interstate COM
nerce Commission.
THE NEW DEPARTMENT.
The establishment of the Department OF COM
Tnerce- Labor. with the Bureau OF corpora
lions hereunder. marks real advance IN the
direction Of doing all that IS possible Tor me
solution Of the questions vitality af1ectlhg cdII@
lists and wage workers me s acc II 1a03
department was approved on FEBRUARY Il 100,
and two DAYS later the head Of the department
was nominated and confirmed by the senate nate
Since then the work OF organization mas DeeI
pushed as rapidly the initial appropriations
permitted. and with due regard 10 thoroushhess
and the broad purposes when the uepai 60
Is designed TO serve. After the transfer OF the
various bureaus and branches Of the depart
1nenf at the beginning Of the current year. as
12S9 employees in Washington ana $500 ID the
country at large The scope OF the department
duty and authority embraces the commercial
and industrial interests OF Jhe nalIoH' - =
nor designed 10 restrict control the fullest
liberty of legitimate business action but 10 Sc
cure exact and authentic information Whlch VIII
aid the Executive in enforcing existing laws
and which VIII enable the Congress 10 ehact
additional legislation, if any should be iound
necessary, in order TO prevent the rev from on,
tanning privileges at the expense Of diminished
opportunities Tor the many.
BUREAU OF CORPORATIONS.
The preliminary work Of the Bureau of Cor
porations ia the department has SHOWN the WIS
dom Of its creation Publicity in corporate al
fairs VIII tend TO do away with ignorance ana
viii afford facts upon which intelligent acton
may be taken. Systematic, intelligent lnVesIlsd-
tion is already developing Iacts the hhoMIS 5I
of which is essential TO a right UNDERSTANDING
OF the needs and duties of the business world
The corporation which is honestly ana Ialriy
organized: whose managers in the conduct OF
lis business recognize their obligation to deal
squarcly with their stockholders, their COM
petitors and the public, has nothing TO tear
from such supervision. The purpose or TINS
bureau is not 10 embarrass or assam !eelIIIlaLe
business but TO aid in bringing about q better
industrial condition. condition under which
there shall be obedience 10 law ana recognition
OF public obligation fy all corporations, great
or small. The Department Of Commerce and
Labor VIII be not only the clearing house for
il formation regarding the business transactions
Of the nation. but the executive arm Of the
government. TO aid in strengthening our domes-
pOrtation facilities, in building up our mer-
chant marine, in preventing the entrance Of
l-ndesira bic immigrants in improving CONNER
cial and industrial conditions and in bringing to-
Fether on nmon ground those necessary part
ners in Industrial prOgress-capltaI and labor.
Commerce between the nations is steadily grow
ing ia volume, and the tendency Of the times is
toward closer trade relations. Constant watch
fulness is needed TO secure TO Americans the
chance TO participate to the best advantage in
foreign trade and We may confidently expect
that the new department viii justify the eXpec-
tation Of its creators by the exercise. Of this
watchfulness as well as by the businesslike ad-
ministration Of such laws relating to our in
ternal affairs are intrusted to its care.
FAIR TREATMENT FOR ALL.
IN enacting the above laws enumerated the
lines. Nothing revolutionary was attempted;
but common sense and successful effort was
made in the direction Of seeing that corpora
lions are so handled to subserye the public
good The legislation was moderate. It was
characterized throughout by the idea that We
were not attacking corporations but endeavor-
ing 10 provide for doing away with any evil IN
them; that drew the line against misconduct
not against wealth; gladly recognizing the grea
good done by the capitalist who alone, or in
conjunction with his fellows, does his work along
proper and legitimate lines. The purpose OF the
legislation. which purpose will undoubtedly bt
fulfilled, was TO favor such a man when he does
well. and 10 supervise his action only TO prevent
him from doing i'll. Publicity can do no harm
10 the honest corporation The only corporation
that has cause dread il is the corporation
which shrinks from the light, and about the vel
fare of such corporations We need not be over
sensitive. The work Of the Department Of Com
Tnerce and Labor has been conditioned upon
this theory, of securing fair tment alike fol
abor and for capital