The Washington times., 1908-12-26
Would Create New Branch
OF Department of
Justice.
TO FOR ASSISTANCE
Sweeping Changes Necessary 70
Garry Out Ideas Of the
PTesident-eleCt.
By JAMES HAY, j.

> -t~@--~<>| 80 j
AUGUSTA, Ga, Dec. 26.-ln
reply to numerous inquiries received
here regarding President-elect Taft's
new plan for governmental control
Of all corporations doing an inter
state business, It may safely be said
that Mr.. Taft viii DO all in his
power to establish the reform as
outlined in his speech Of acceptance
and his campaign speeches
In carrying out this plan, the
PreSident-elect viii need certain
necessary additional legislation by
Congress involving a decrease of
the powers Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission, an increase Of
the powers Of the Bureau Of Cor
pOraionS in tne Department Of
Commerce and Labor, and the Iea-
ton Of practically new bureau in
the Department of Justice.
BUREAU TO GAIN POWER.
The Interstate Commerce Com
mission viii exercise purely and
only a quaSi-judicial function. The
Bureau OF Corporations viii Be
given jurisdiction over all corpora
tons doing an interstate business.
Including the railroads, and viii
have as IFS duty the work of pre-
pairing and presenting to the Inter
state Commerce Commission all
cases brought up by complaints
from individuals and all cases made
necessary by the bureaus own in
veStigatOnS-
The Department Of Justice VIII have
q bureau whose duty viii be 10 assist
the Bureau OF Corporations in the pre-
pairing and prosecuting cases whenever
the Bureau Of Corporations feels the
need OF calling on the Department OF
Justice for certain legal and technical
cooperation.
Opposes Federal License.
II IS not likely thSt the new Execu-
tive VIII recommend the Federal Icens-
ing OF the corporations that viii come
under the jurisdiction Of the Bureau Of
Corporations, but he will probably favor
some provision which viii compel these
concerns to submit themselves 10 the
most thorough scrutiny OF the agents
OF the bureau
This VIII apply 10 the matter Of rates.
methods Of operation, accounts, books.
and all features affecting the public
interest.
II IS ambitious plan, and by il hopes
are enteTt aimed that much OF the wasted
energy which IS now the rule in the reg
ulation Ct corporations viii be done
eway with. At present, the operations
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
the Bureau Of Corporations. and the
Department Of Justice frequently over
lap. and one Of the three sometime
finds that it IS only repeating the wori,
OF the other.
Hope to Stop Repetition.
But. BY the new scneme, the powers
and duties Of the Bureau OF Corpora
tons viii be 50 increased ti:at this bu-
reau VIII be the originator Of all eases
dealing with corporations, and this viii
make IL impossible 20 have any reperi-
ton or overlapping IN the work.
The plan IS also in direct Tine with the
frequently expressed wish Of Mr. Taft
TO do everything in his power TO ex-
pedite the administration OF justice in
this country Ever since he was nonli-
mated he has repeatedly emphasized the
necessity for making more prompt the
deciding Of all cases at law both by the
Government and IN individual legal pro-
cedurs before the courts
He has taken this view because he
is convinced that the delays in law.
which are now the rule. serve only 10
the purposes OF Rich man, who is able
TO endure long waiting for decisions.
and initiate against the poor man 70
whose interest II is that every suit he
brings should be decided at the earliest
moment possible.
This reform wiz affect a fourth
branch OF the Government. the Depart-
ment OF Agriculture. as that depart
ment. by the operations OF the pure
food law and other laws. has much to
do with certain classes OF corporations.
Arrangements VIII, therefore, have 20
be made. ia y detailed plan. for the
Agricultural De partment 70 give the
Bureau OF Corporations any assistance
that may be requested
u Is easy 10 see what tremendous
power and Influence the Department OF
Commerce sDi Labor win have as are