The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-27
INVESTIGATION RESULTS.

Here is the view taken of some of
the proposed Investigations by con-
gress by The New York Journal o.
Commerce:
Breaking away from the restrictions
which were imposed upon it at the
special session, the rules committee
of the house of representatives Is now
planning number of what it is pleas
ed to call investigations" One of
these is an inquiry into the so-called
money trust" another into the ship
ping situation. Several new plans are
thought of. 1t is evident that the pas
sion for sensationalism and the manu-
faeture of political capital is being al
lowed full scope in this connection.
That would not be very surprising. and
perhaps might be little regarded 1t
time when congress is using nearly all
Of its time and energy in jugglery.
The trouble is that what is now plan
ned by the rules committee is likely to
nave a serious and disturbing effect
upon business conditions.
If the rules committee is to be judg-
ed by its fruits, it's work has already
been of the most disastrous descrip-
ton. The best known example of it's
efforts last season was the so-called
Stanley steel inquiry. That inquiry has
not only been disturbing factor in
the general business situation, but ow-
ing to the peculiar conditions Of the
past few months it has undoubtedly
led the administration into unwise
steps that otherwise would not have
been taken, and that commit it for the
future to action which will later be
regretted. The sugar Investigation
has been largely useless and is not
likely to develop anything, though it
has been less Objectionable than the
work of the Stanley committee. OF
the nine departmental committees
which were ordered to investigate the
administration, hardly any except that
on agriculture has done any serious
work and all that the latter has done
could and should have been undertake
en- long ago.. The inquiries have either
been useless or very annoying and dis
kurbing. Even worse consequences
are to be expected from the two sub
Bects now before the rules committee.
The money and banking question has
been thoroughly looked into by the
public authorities and most recently
hy the national monetary commission.
The condition Of shipping was sub
5ect of inquiry at lengthy investiga-
zion during the short session Of con-
gress only q year ago. There IL moth
kng 10 be brought out on either topic
and the Investigations can have nc
purpose except that OF searching FOR
supposedly scandalous material and
Tor attacking legitimate business prac-
tices based on existing law. Mr.. Lind.
bergh. the author OF the money trust
resolution, complains particularly 81
s khe present reserve system In nationa
amnking, yet he proposes no remedy
aAd il apparently disfnclined to con.
mtbute to the legislation which Is being
framed for the improvement OF tina
very system. Representative Hum.
4 phrey. who has fathered the shipping
inquiry, complains of the lack d
American vessels. vet he apparently
would never consent to the remodel
ling Of our anfiquated navigation Laws
The real harm In the investigations
does not proceed from anything tina
& they are likely to bring to light. ~
INJURY Is ever done IL the public by ~
pertaining the truth and stating
ssanlxly. The danger il found la tn