Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1914-04-03
REGULATE TRADE.
..rLTRUsT MEASURE IS
M ,"r,l ON ITS WAY TO
PASSAGE.
AL Be INDEPENDENT BODY
-. Trade Commission Given
f"' n investigate Organization
wv" business of Any Corpora
linn Engaged In Commerce.
=, GEORGE CLINTON.

hi
0@ raoc prepared by the Democrats
DSa' 1arass with the approval of Presi-
Y Wv Wilson and Attorney General
ss ", is on it's way toward pas
~ The measure is the one estab-
~ s,o an interstate trade commits
n.' The Democrats in congress have
' ',.i that a good many of their Re
ys slic,n brethren approve the bill In
\. sorm in which it has been sub
y s.ad and there seems to be little
,,rht that on its final passage a con-
@s,,bIe Republican vote will be re-
cied in its favor.
rbis commission measure was
..,,Imously agreed upon by its franz
: vbo constitute subcommittee of
4. house interstate commerce COM
rl4sa and in the membership Of the
,miDg body were both Democrats
md Republicans.
An Independent Body.
M the bill Representative Coving-
bon has said:
Tbe whole theory Of the creation
4 .be commission has been to make
nan efficient independent body. In
mist Of the matters of publicity it has
rHre control of the facts gathered.
Publicity is left to its discretion, and
Ne bill contains ample authority for
Mo prevent the disclosures Of those
,ssssary trade secrets, valueless to
No public, in promoting lawful COM
,sitlve business, but which, was dis
thsed, simply afford opportunity for
NITROUS use by competitors. Powers
Investigation, safeguarded by prop
Constitutional limitations against
nkwtul searches and seizures, are
tkAn from a new subordinate depart
nsnt under the control of the execu-
five and given to this nonpartisan
kiy'
Under the interstate trade commits
dUn bill all the powers and duties OF
be present bureau of corporations
md Of the commissioner of corpora
tons are transferred to the commits
don Of three members, all Of whom
ne to be presidential appointees, sub
Et to confirmation by the senate, and
zach Of whom will draw a salary OF
10000 annually. Only two of the
nmmissioners can be Of the same po-
haca party.
Every corporation that is engaged
b Interstate commerce, except cor
Nnions subject to the act to regu-
as commerce, and which has capi-
al Of 100000 or more, or having
% capital belongs to a class of cor
lcatOns which the commission may
stab-iSh, is to be obliged to furnish
the new body annually ''such in
0fmation, statement and records of
oiganization. bondholders and stock
Aolders and financial condition, and
lN such opinion, statements and
records of its relations to other cor
pOfatons and its business and prac-
uses while engaged In commerce, as
us commission shall require"
Powers of the Commission.
Here is section 10 of the bill which
N0VS specifically the powers of the
wnmlssion in matters of. investiga-
ton
Section 10. The commission shall,
spon the direction Of the president,
ae attorney general, or either house
" congress, investigate the organiza-
uOl' management and business of any
uFpOration while engaged in COM
lSfce, to aid in ascertaining whether
not the corporations investigated is
aUaung the acts relating to restraint
uade, And the commission shall
LAKE report Of such investigation,
.llcn may include recommendations
~ W read1ustment of business In order
s We. SAID corporation may thereafter
~all'aln Its organization, manage
. ~'l' and conduct of business in ac-
vi sIuance with law. Reports made
n e"'F investigation may be made pub
SION"
a. .IV annual reports which corpora
,n SuS snail turn in containing the re-
seu information and statistics for
y. previous year must be made out
-, s't oath and filed with the commits
\ - a' It's office in Washington with
~. .u'ee months after the close of the
/ @', lor which the report is made.
4. ''seS OF necessity 1t. will be within
AL, power of the commission to grant
additional time.
|, corporation delays In turning
b. - report the bill as drawn penal
lssr al 500 for each day of the
,,oH. A provision of one Of the bills
Ilna used but not accepted, placed the
n a. a. $1,000 a day for delays in turn
,,,. !, reports, but congress seems to
'uougnt that this was excessive.
g. heading Test Is Sure.
lsN..e, weeks ago 1t was said in these
al WI, that before many months
ols., s.apSed adult aliens seeking adj
ssta ,Sn 10 the United States would be
"a, - as TO their ability to read. This
hast siIt'en with full knowledge that
As II. Wilson would prefer that
nm eFacy test should be excluded
M 'ue law. Members OF congress
oov S|vTemlngly are in position to
ion UT Wilson's mind on the subject
IA. seem to have no douht that the