Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-21
LEARNING ITS POWERS
WORK OF THE BUREAU OF COR
PORATIONS.
Report of the Commissioner Submitted
to the President-Beef Trust
Investigation.

The Secretary of Commerce and Labor
has submitted to the President the first
general report of the commissioner OF cor
porations. covering the period from the Or
ganization of the bureau, February, 1903.
to June 80, 1904.
The work of the bureau has been more
closely devoted to research into the powers
vested in 1t than investigating those
branches of trade which were the primal
cause of it's creation. 1t is large body
and will therefore move slowly for time,
but the commissioner asserts that action
will be taken along all lines where it is
found that there is cause for investigation
by his bureau.
1t is shown by Commissioner Garfield that
there were sixty-four employees of the bu-
reau at the time of the close OF the report
and that the expenses for the entlre unle
of its existence have been ISL. IO3. The ap-
propriations for the year ending June ~,
1903, are $156, 30 ~
The estimate for the year ending June 81 80
1906; are 1896 400. being an increase OF
$50 200 or about 81 per cent.
To Obtain Information.
The bureau is in measure an arm OF the
legislative branch of government, charged
with the duty of obtaining nformatloh u
which Congress is entitled on the SUBJECT OK
Interstate and foreign commerce. 1t is plac-
ed under tlo executive Va eiiS oS'
eminent for the purpose OF ADMINISTRATOR
and continuity of action.
Congress. having the constitutional au-
thority to legislate in regard to interstate
and foreign commerce, has the power 10 or
| tain all information necessary TO make such
legislation adequate and appropriate. Con-
press has in this case created the bureau OF
corporations as a specific means OF carry
ing out the purpose desired prescribing the
| method of investigation by the bureau and
- tr,r, tc-in
to Congress through the executive.
| The bureau has considered carefully ana
at length the various federal and state stat
utes dealing with illegal industrial combna-
tions the so-called ''anti-trust' laws, and
| has prepared for publication volume upon
this subject.
Beef Trust Inquiry.
Brief reference is made to the beef trust
inquiry to the effect that special agents,
with clerical assistants, have been con-
stantly in the field since April. They nave
secured comprehensive statistics. chiefly re-
| lating to the prices of cattle and of peel
| from the records of all the companies IN
| the alleged combination, and also from IN
| dependent packers, commission men, retain
dealers and other sources. They nave III
| terVieWed a large number OF independent
! packers. commission men, cattle raisers,
| meat dealers and other persons, with
| view to ascertaining facts and opinion re-
| latng to the existence OF coinplildtioli,
the movements of prices the causes OF
such movements and the general conditions
of the cattle and beef industry.
Private Information.
The commissioner adds that in the inves-
tigation of special corporations he will
necessarily acquire knowledge of business
facts the publication of which would be
an infringement of private rights. The
method of reporting and making public
the results of these Investigations affords
a means, through the President, of pro-
tecting private rights In this particular
the method of procedure is similar to the
action and reports of the controller OF
the currency regarding national banks.
There will thus be presented to Congress
all relevant facts except such as would
afford to any corporation information
which would injure the legitimate business
of a competitor and destroy the incentive
for individual superiority and thrift.