The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-10

costs and profits in connection with the
production OF steel billets both Besscmer
and open hearth basic. The information
IN both OF these statements was part OF
the data secured by the bureau IN the
course of its investigation OF the iron and
steel industry and. while brief In form
was unique In Its accuracy and scope. The
data as to rails covered companies pro-
ducing more than 93 per cent Of all the
rails manufactured In the United States
during the period covered. The nforma-
tlon as to billetS covered practically the
entire Bessemer ingot production OF the
country. and more than IS per cent OF
the open hearth production, for the period
covered The detailed facts upon which
the statements were based were taken
directly from the books OF the companies
producing the rails and the steel
lished part of its report on the tobacco
Industry, This part dealt with the post
ton of the tobacco combination In the
Industry, and resulted from a thorough
examination of the organization and de-
velopment OF the American Tobacco COM
pany and It's subsidiary concerns. 1t
corporations. The American Tobacco
company gave the bureau practically free
access to all its very extensive and vol
luminous records. so that the bureau was
able TO present an an unusually complete
and satisfactory history OF the organiza-
tion of one OF the great Interstate corpo-
rations Of the country. Additional parts
are now In course of preparation.
On May II. 1909. the bureau published
part ] of It's report on the taxation OF
corporations. This concerned the system
Of taxing manufacturing, mercantile.
transportation. and transmission corpora
tions in the six New England states. The
uniform presentation OF these systems al
lows of comparison. and the purpose OF
the report was to make the general prIn-
cipleS and practices of taxation in these
states available in concise and untech-
meal shape for the average reader. FiDan-
ciai results OF each system for the latest
fiscal year were given, In each case the
principal state officials were consulted at
length as to methods and practical en-
forcement. No taxation system can be
properly understood from a mere exam
ination Of statutes. or without adding
thereto a knowledge OF the method and
practical results OF Its enforcement Sim
iar reports as to other sections of the
country are In course OF preparation. The
subject is of such great current impor-
tance, and involves such remarkable diff
ferences in theory and practice. that 1t is
believed that such presentation Will have
very considerable value.
Valuable Data Gathered.
On June 4, 1909, the bureau prepared
for the president a report on the prices
Of tobacco and operations OF corporations
and others dealing therein. In response
TO Il senate resolution adopted May II.
1903, The president transmitted the same
to the senate, where It was largely con-
suited in connection with certain proposed
changes In the internal revenue tax OH
tobacco products.
On June 81. lJUJ, the bureau naO on
hand as current work Investigations into
the lumber and steel industries the In
ternational Harvester company the con-
centration OF water power ownership. and
by water In the United |
states: and also continuing its investiga |
lions into the tobacco Industry, the oper- !
atoms OF cotton exchanges, and state |
systems OF corporate taxation.
1t is one Of the fundamental purposes |
If the bureau to make available for the |
lyerage citizen. through the daily press,
Interstate businesses. Accordingly, each |
If its published reports. many of which |
we're several hundred pages in length.
las been accomplishing with summary
gain with still more compact digest
n the shape of letter of submittal to
he president usually from Ave TO eight
,ages. This letter OF submittal states
cry briefly the important facts and con-
lusions as to permanent and significant
onditions and tendencies In the industry
nder investigation, and has been the
cal medium OF general publicity. 1t has
een especially framed In each case with
view OF the needs of the press, and as
rule these letters have been published
" the newspapers over the whole coun-
ry In full
we term such work deficient pub
city" IT. obviously requires an organi-
alton especially adapted thereto. Under
he immediate supervision of the commits
ioner. each investigation Is usually In
harge OF one man, who. by reason OF his
ISl tCOllpllIC dIillllSr itCublCdl hnoWI-
dge. business experience. and executive
hlllty, Is able TO organize the collection
nd digesting of the vast mass of lnfor
iation needed, and to draw reliable con-
lusions as to the important facts and
endencies therein shown. There is as
igncd to each investigation a proper
umber OF economists, accountants. and
eld agents. so that the force in each
ase constitutes practically a working
nit, except that the clerical and admin
trative work Is, in the main: done by
eneral divisions for the entire bureau
cry respectfully
HERBERT KNOX SMITH,
Commissioner of Corporations.
To HON. CHARLES NAGEL,
Secretary OF Commerce and Labor.