The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-03
THE GOVERNMENTS
TRUST PROBLEM
Secretary Nagel Points Out
Methods That Will Ac-
complish Desired End

Washington, Jan. 3.-'"The mere
breaking up of large combinations in
to number of separate parts by no
means meets the whole trust ques-
ton" says Secretary Nagel of the de-
partment of commerce and labor in
his annual report. transmitted today
to President Taft.
Secretary Nagel declares that the
sherman law has been proved to be
an effective statute beyond all doubt
and that degree OF combination of
capital Is quite necessary, but he adds
that the supreme court decisions in
the Standard Oil and Tobacco cases
have demonstrated that the next step
in the control of great Industrial cor
porations will be the creation of a
permanent federal agency.
How such control shall be eXercis-
ed: whether by commission. federal
Incorporation or other means. which
have been advocated recently by
Judge Elbcrt II. Gary, George w. Per-
kins and other fnanciers before the
senate committee which has been con-
Quoting hearings to determine what
changes would he desirable i'll the am
ti-trust laws, Secretary Nagel does
not definitely say.
He favors. however. a development
of the powers and scope of the bureau
Of corporations.
"A certain degree of combination of
capital is admittedly essential to the
carrying OH of our great business en-
terprfses. says Secretary Nagel. ITO
control properly such necessary COM
binations we must have some admin
istrative federal Office or commission
which shall make this work it's busi-
ness.
I'VE must have a permanent au-
thority which shall by steady and con-
tnuous supervision ana publicity safe
guard the public interests and at the
same time allow full scope for neces-
sary and proper business efficiency
and development.
The decisions of the supreme court
in the Standard Oil and American To-
bacco company cases have brought
forcibly to the public attention "a fact
repeatedly presented in the reports of
this department--the imperative need
for the positive Administrative regula-
ton of great industrial corporations.
The recent decisions and rc-organ-
izations which followed have made it
clear that another imperative step re-
mains to he taken and that this is the
establishment, by appropriate legisla-
tion, of a broad system of supervision
and publicity for all those industrial
and commercial organizations engag-
eo III Interstate ana international
business.
Whether this shall be done by
means of federal incorporation or by
federal office or commission cXerciS-
ing powers of regulation and super
vision may be a secondary question.
The first consideration appears to he
the establishment of permanent ad-
ministrative publicity, regulation and
supervision. The time is PECULIARLY
ripe for such action. Public opinion
and the views OF many corporation
managers are as one"
Secretary Nagel recommends that
the bureau of corporations be devel-
oped to take up the form of supervi-
sion he suggests. 1t would be but Il
logical expansion of the bureaus op-
erations and policy. which he says,
have relied solely on publicity for the
last eight years and have demonstrat-
ed beyond question what a system of
permanent supervision can do.
Mr.. Nagel's report in full deals with
the years work in the many bureaus
and divisions over which he presides.
In connection with the immigration
service the secretary recommends that
any amendments to the immigration
laws tend to relieve immigrants of un-
due hardship without letting down the
bars against undesirables. Larger dis
CI0llOu ne louSeu WITH OI1lcla is,
he thinks, to admit unfortunate mem
bers Of incoming families where it is
shown that society would he protected
against burden and danger. He rec
ommends also that examinations of
immigrants be made before they en-
bark for this country and that the
time for deporting confessed GRIM
inals be extended.
Secretary Nagel refers in passing
to recent criticism of the immigration
service. He says the bureau has en-
deavored to obey the general mandate
of the law and relieve the individual
OF hardship wherever the staute al
lows it.
I'm the meantime. Lincoln's advice
finds renewed application says the
secretary quoting the words. If both
factions. or neither. shall abouse YOU.
you will probably be about right. Be-
ware Of being assailed by one and
praised by the other
One of the greatest operations Of
the year in Secretary NageHs depart.
ment was the completion of the thir.
teenth census.
A very important investigation on
the cost Of living is now being car
ried on by the bureau of labor. THE
report promises to provide basis for
discussion Of this much
mooted question" says the secretary.