The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-08
SECRETARY MErC ALFS REPORT.
Activities Of tho Bureaus or Manufacturer
aud Corporations.

WASHINGTON, Deo The annual report
OF the Secretary OF Commerce and Labor
was submitted 10 the President to-day.
Folio wing the dictlm OF the President, Mr..
MetcaH adhered ~assiduously to the rules
Of simpltfied spelling throughout his re-
port and did not forget once 10 chop OF
the final letters Of every prescribed word.
Secretary Metcalf refers to the special
work done by the commissioners sent out
To the Orient and to South America by
the Bureau of Manufactures TO investi-
gate the special trads conditions in those
markets. He instances the practical methods
taken by the commissioners to the Orient
in setting before tho manufacturers OF
cotton goods in this country the special
needs OF the market in China. He says:
Under direction of the Bure au OF Manu-
features the special agents sent to the
Orient secured samples OF every kind Of
cotton goods sold in the Chinese markets.
These samples were prepared by the bureau
for distribution among manufacturers OF
cotton fabrics.
cards were sent out containing samples
Of these fabrics. together with informa-
ton relative to Wholesale M retail pr cas-,
uses to which put. methods Of handling
hin OlbCt AdtA vi ~ W oNhN VAV
Nearly 200 complete sets of the samples,
embracing several thousand pieces OF
cloth. were sent to boards of trade and
other organized commercial bodies To-
Gated In centres OF the cotton act
'uring industry. Sets were also sent to
textile schools"
In referring to the activities of the bureau
Of corporations Secretary Metcalf dis
- L., ALL. D., 10 thA r,,-N Can.
ible method of bringing the trusts under
Government regulation. He approves of
the plan to require the great industrial cor
porstions 10 obtain a license from the Fed
eral Government to engage IN interstate
and foreign commerce. He says:
There would be no interference with the
powers of "A State over the creation of corpo-
rations or their actions wholly within the
State. Under a ACense the Federal Govern
ment should require, as a condition prece-
dent to granting the license. a fun disclosure
of all facts necHSsary 10 show the ownership.
properties, financial condition and man
agement of the corporation: furthermore,
the corporations records should be open TO
proper Inspection; annual reports sho I'D be
req red; and, finally, the Government
should have the power to revoke the license
and prevent the continuation Of engaging
in interstate and foreign in the
event the corporation fails In its Obligations
toward the Government or is convicted OF
violating Federal laws. Ordinarily the i'm
position Of fiDes does but little 20 correct
corporate abuses, but IL the penalty be the
denial of the right 10 continue business d
most effective remedy is provided"
The Alaskan fur seal fisheries, raids Upon
which 10y Japanese sealers dur!ax the past
year called out a strong note Of protest 10
The japanese Government in the Presi-
dents message, occup considerable space
in Mr.. Metcalfs report. He saws that
L. W. Sims. solicitor Of the Department
whom he sent TO the Pribilof Islands TO
that the present laws for the protection Of
the fribilof herd are entirely inadequate q.
The fur seal herd has been reduced IN
mber from about 1000 900 at the time
of the Alaskan purchase to less than 1870 900.
according TO Mr.. Sims's report.
Under the bureau OF navigation mead
Mr.. Metcalf urges strongly upon the notice
of American producers the advantages 20
be found in the markets OF South America
The completion OF the Panama Canal will
bring Peru and Chile nearer To- the Atlantic
seaboard ports by the width OF a whole
ocean, says the Secretary. IL Is necessary
that Americans build up a trade with South
American countries before the canal Is
completed.
The Secretary favors the merchant
marine commission bill because, a. he says,
our merchant marine Is fast approaching
a moribund condition. More than half
the men who man our seagoing merchant
ships are aliens, says Mr.. MetcSlf. Most
Of our carrying trade is being done in for
piUn hOItOmR