New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-13
INVESTIGATING TRUSTS.
FAIRFIELD HAS BEEN BUSY
Bureau Of Corporations Not Used
for Political Purposes.

iical purposes, and OF the equally unfoundeo
charge that the bureau has been idle since its
creation The lsrse amount OF work the bureau
has accomplished since IL came into existence,
80 far a. that can be revealed is likely TO prove
q surprise TO the public. as II viii 20 Congress.
When the Department of Commerce and
Labor created supervision Of numerous
bureaus already in existence and under the
supervision of other departments. or unat-
tsched. assigned to II, and the first work
which demanded the attention of the secretary
YVES the organization of concrete, orderly de-
usrtrnent out of the somewhat chaotic material
given 10 him. With limited appropriation for
clerical work he was compelled TO avail him
self Of a provision of the organic law which
authorized him TO utilize the services of any OF
his subordinates 10 effect the organization Of
his department, and Mr.. Garfield. the Commits
ssoner OF Corporations, and his assistants were
engaged in this work throughout the greater
mart Of the departments first year of existence.
!, was not. in fact. until the enactment OF the
Urgent Deficiency Appropriation bill, which
became a law last February, that the Bureau
Of Corporations able to undertake the
work the performance OF which is it's chief rea-
son for being
THE COMMISSIONERS DUTIES.
The principal duty of the Commissioner OF
Generations, as provided by the organic law is
able the President OF the United States to make
recommendations TO Congress for legislation for
The regulation of commerce" The law
also provides that the Commissioner shall have
the power and authority" to make diligent in
yestigation into the organization, conduct and
agen1ent Of the business of any corporation
toint stock company corporate combination
engaged IN business among the several States,
etc. and adds: The information obtained, or
20 much thereof as the President may direct,
shall be made public" A further clause Of the
law declares that il shall be the duty Of the
bureau TO gather. compile. publish and sup
ply useful information concerning corporations,
including corporations engaged in insur-
sace'
When Commissioner Garfield found oppor-
tyrity 10 devote his attention TO his own bureau
he determined, after brief survey OF the field
that little effective work looking TO the control
OF corporations doing interstate business was
possible until some comprehensive estimate
could be formed Of the federal and State laws
now in existence affecting such institutions.
with the sanction of the Secretary, he then as
signed 10 a portion OF his force the task Of pre-
pairing comparative compilation OF these laws.
AS study Of those corporations and companies
engaged in insurance was also enjoined by the
organic law MI Garfield assigned 10 another
norton Of his force a compilation OF the State
laws under which insurance companies con-
Quoted their business. and correspondence with
The various State insurance commissioners was
Immediately begun
IN addition 70 the work assigned 20 the ou-
reau by the organic law, Congress. by the pas
cage of the Martin resolution. imposed on the
bureau a specific investigation Of the Beef Trust.
Prelinninaries for this work were hegun as soon
81 practicable. and IN July the reports OF the
special agents engaged IN this work began 20
reach the Commissioner, and are still coming in,
but the report will be finished in time to sub
nit 10 Congress soon after it ccnvenes.
As the organic law provides that the bureau
shall investigate individual concerns engaged in
interstate commerce, preliminary work in that
direction was also undertaken The mass Of in
formation elected by the Industrial Commission
and made public in its report. the various hear
ings before Congress committees and other pub
lished data furnished ample material for this
years work, so It was entirely unnecessary for
the bureau TO avail ITSELF OF the seni-inQuis-
torisl powers which 1t possesses. Certain spe-
Cifc concerns were selected. and a compilation
OF all the published information concerning their
methods Of conducting their business is being
prepared for the use Of the President
REPORT ON THE BEEF TRUST.
When the President comes to write his annual
message he will have before him % a specific
and comprehensive report on the operations Of
the Beef Trust. the pUrport OF which he will IN
accordance with the provisions of the resolution
ordering the investigation. submit TO Congress:
- a compilation and digest Of the laws govern
Ing the conduct Of insurance companies in most
OF the States Of the Union 81 a cornptlation
ana digest OF all statutes partaking Of the nature
OF Antitrust legislation; a. a digest Of COM
mon law decisions affecting conspiracies in re-
Htraint Of trade; 90 a compilation Of informa-
ton, already made public In various places. re-
eardins certain individual concerns popularity
known trusts"
How much Of this information aside from the
report on the Beef Trust the President will deem
wise 10 make public remains to be seen. That
he law does not contemplate making all such
Inclination public is evident from the terms of
lie Organic law. which provides that the in
.oTnation so obtained, or so much thereof as
lie President may direct, shall be made public"
Of the wisdom Of Congress IN thus leaving to
ne discretion OF the President the extent to
"hich such information should be given to the
PUBIC much can be said. Primarily the pur-
pose Of Congress in vesting the Bureau of Cor
Io'Suons with inquisitoriaI powers was not that
- might institute prosecutions, that being the
lIO'Iace OF The Department OF Justice. Neither
vas II Tie Injury OF any private or corporate
BUSINESS but rather the procuring Of information
"llch would enable the President make intel |
4'seht concentrations regarding trust legisla- /
to- aho possibly the assistance of Congress in |
Aso-ng such legislation. Were the work Of the |
D1ie@- directed TO gathering information on !
"--cA FEDERAL prosecutions might be based. its |
eAoFts would necessarily be seriously hampered |
ny the fear OF many concerns that they might /
0ecome defendants in federal suits. With how !