Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-10
FIRST ANNUAL,REPO
Department of Commerce
and Labor.
COVERS BROAD GROUND
BUREAU OF CORPORATIONS CARE
FULLY STUDYING THE LAWS.
Secretary Cortelyou Tells of Hopes and
Aims Of the Great Establishment
Placed in His Control.
COVERS BROAD GROUND

The first annual report of the Secretary
of Commerce and Labor gives a full ac-
count of the progress made in the organiza-
ton OF the department, discusses at con-
siderable length the work Of the various
bureaus. complies with the several pro-
visions Of law relating to statements of
moneys received and disbursed and makes
such comments and recommendations in
regard to commercial and industrial affairs
as appear to be warranted by existing con-
ditions.
Composition of the Department.
On July 1. 1903, the following offices, bu-
reaus, divisions and branches of the public
service became parts of the Department of
Commerce and Labor: The lighthouse
board the lighthouse establishment, the
steamboat inspection service, the bureau
OF navigation. the United States shipping
commission, the national bureau of stand
ards. the coast and geodetic survey the
commissioner general of immigratio the
commissioners of immigra ton, the bureau
OF immigration the immigration service at
large, the bureau of statistics, the census
once, the department of labor, the fish
commission, the Office of commissioner of
fish and fisheries, the bureau of foreign
commerce, the Alaskan fur seal and salmon
fisheries.
Inc department organization already eff
lected IN part was: The Secretary's office
chief clerks office, disbursing and appoint-
meht clerks office solicitors Office Through
detall or acting solicitor from the Depart-
m e OF Justice), bureau of corporations.
Cortelyou's report:
On July l, 1903, the personnel of the de-
Partment CO nprised 1889 employees In
washington and 1886 in the country at
M Not.
priations to be expended under the dirnction
OF the department amountd to 50, 1851.
me smallness of the initial appropria lions
rendered 1t impra cticable, in the time be-
.weeh me creation of the department and
me next session of Congress. to do more
than secure the systematic arrangement
ana coordination of the bureaus and
branches brought together. 1t precIuded
except IN the most general way, the prose
cuton OF new lines of investigation or the
development of new plans of Administered
ton.
Department Building Needed.
Inc Secretary calls special attention to
his recommendation of last year for an an
preparation for the construction of a build
Ing for the department.
provision is made in the estimates for an
appropriation to be expended under the i'm
mediate direction of the Secretary for the
investigation of trade conditions at home
and abroad. with the object of promoting
the domestic and foreign commerce of the
united states, and for other purposes.
Statistical Work.
One of the most important branches of
the departments work is that of statistics
The aim being to furnish the business
world with prompt, complete and reliable
statistical reports upon the various subjects
of commercial and Industrial interest
49, t. II.
prompter issue of the departments publ
cations without impairing their accuracy.
The value Of government documents de-
ponds essentially on their presentation of
current conditions, rather than the repro
ductiOn of facts and figures with which an
energetic country is already acquainted.
Bulletins containing the rulings, regula-
lions and notices Of the department, and
also statistical and other information of
immediate interest to the public. will be is
sued with the least possible delay.
Among the more comprehensive publ
CO items now i'll course of preparation, and
soon to be issued, is a history of the de-
partment, including compilation of the
laws with the adminstra ton of which, di-
rectly or indirectly, it is charged. The
bureau of corporations is also preparing
several publications that will undoubtedly
be serviceable to Cor gress and to those
concerned in the special work of the
bureau.
1t is the duty of the bureau Of corpora
tons to gather information on the subject
OF interstate and foreign commerce, to
investigate the organization conduct and
maI5 cement of corporations and Joint
stock companies engaged in such commerce
(other than common carriers subject to the
jurisdiction of the interstate commerce
&C mmisSiOn), to report the results of such
Investigations to the President through the
Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and to
compile and publish useful information
concerning corporations engaged in inter-
state and foreign commerce. including in
surance companies.
AS an aid to investiga ton, the commits
soner of corporations is given like powers
to those granted the interstate commerce
commission.
The creation of the bureau was viewed
by some with alarm. or at least with sus-
picion. 1t was feared that the powers
gre nted might be hastily or inadysedly
used to he injury of legitimate enterprise
No such purpose actuated the trainers. of
the law; no such purpose will control its
administration.
important privileges by the public. and
some of these corporations, through con-
solidation of capital, have acquired extern
sive influence in the industrial affairs of
the country. Such privileges If used i'm
properly, not only retard the progress of
industry but frequently breed corruption
in politics. The legislation creating the
bureau CT corporations was the expression
OF q 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, dis
honesty and corruption but If properly
enforced 1t will not disclose to trade COM
petitors the fruits of individual thrift and
Initiative. nor permit in any other manner
the invasion of private rights.
Bureau Of Labor.
The department is empowered to acquire
and diffuse among the people of the United
States useful Information on subjects con-
nected with labor in the most general and
comprehensive sense of the word, especially
regarding it's relation to capital, such as the
hours of labor and the earnings of laboring