The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-28
Another Heatwole Nightmare.

In the Northfie1d News of June 80,
Mr.. Heatwole assaulted Senator Nelson
for the immunity provision contained
in the section establishing the bureau
of corporation in the law creating the
department of commerce and labor, Of
which law, as is well known, Mr.. Mel
son was the author. Mr.. Nelson has
only recently returned home and T h 9
Journal has interviewed him on the
subject and from that interview, as
we'll as from other authentic sources,
finds the facts to be as follows:
When the bill creating the new de-
partment passed the senate it contained
no provision for a bureau of corpora
lions. The house amended the bill by
providing for such bureau, but only
gave the commissioner. the head Of the
bureau, power and authority to make,
under the direction and control of the
secretary of commerce and labor; dill
gent investigation into the organiza-
ton, conduct and management of the
business of any corporation. joint stock
company or corporate combination en-
gagged in commerce among the several
states and with foreign nations except
ing common carriers subject to can
act to regulate commerce. approved
Feb. 4, 1887, and to gather such infor-
nation and data as will enable the
president Of the United States to make
Recommendations to congress for legis-
lation for the regulation Of such COM
merce, and to report such data to the
president from time to time as he shall
require; and the information so oh.
tanned or as much thereof as the presi-
dent may direct shall be made public
Other changes and amendments in the
bill were made by the house, and when
the bill, with these amendments, came
back to the senate they were all dis
agreed to and the bill was referred tc
a conference committee. The senate
members Of this committee were Hanna
Nelson and Clay. While the bill was
thus in conference, Mr.. Nelson con
ferred with the president in respect tx
the same, especially as to the house pro
vision for bureau of corporations. Thu
president and MIR. Nelson both though
that the house provision conferred in
sufficient power upon the commissioner
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Nelson tn
president requested Mr.. Knox, who wa
then attorney general, to prepare
suitable amendment to give the commits
sioner ampler power. Mr.. Knox pre-
pared such an amendment and handle
it to the president and the presiden
handed the same to Mr.. Nelson with tn
request that he secure it's adoption b
the conferees, which he did, All tn
senate conferees and the republica
members of the house conferees wer
familiar with the true paternity Of tn
amendment. This amendment is as 70
lows: ..-.-. F..
In order to accomplish the purpose
declared in the foregoing part Of tn!
section, the said commissioner sha
have and exercise the same power an
authority in respect to corporation
ioint-stock, companies and combination
subject to the provisions hereof, as
conferred on the Interstate commerce
commission in said "act to regulat
commerce. and the amendments ther
to in respect to common carriers SO fl
as the same may be applicable, inclu
ing the right to subpoena and comp
the attendance and testimony Of wi
nesses and the production of docume
tary evidence and to administer oath
All the requirements, obligations, Il
bilities and immunities imposed or co