Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1915-03-05
TIMELY WASHINGTON TOPICS
The Trade Commission.

The formation Of the Federal trade
commission is almost a reality and
within a short time the Bureau of
( Corporations will pass out Of exist
ence, and the new commission, with
its broader powers. will seek to put
the finishing touches on bad trusts and
/ corruption that may remain in big
business Honorable Joseph Davies,
eau of Corporations will head the new
commission. The powers of the new
commission have purpOsely been made
very broad, and the purpose is to
find OUT about persons. banks, cor
pora tons, or common carriers that are
not doing business according to the
best interests Of the country. The
trade commission will also make in
I yestigations concerning the organiza-
ton, practices and anagement of
corporations. and their relations, as
well as the relations Of their officers,
t. other corporations. Mr.. Davies
/ has made Il splendid record as the
Commissioner of the Bureau of Cor
/ porations, and with the opportunities
afforded by an enlargement of his
powers. there seems every reason why
/ the country should look for many
/ beneficial results in the business world.
/ Better methods should also follow
from the new work to be undertaken
ment. That the Department Of Agri-
culture has been in the way of stimu-
/ lating the interests of the farmer, may
/ be expected in the way of benefits to
trade and commerce through the new
commission. At the same time great
results are promised for labor since
a department of government is de-
voted to this field Of activity. And
the Childrens Bureau has already
given concrete examples of its useful
ness to infant life. Wherever the
government has started out in earnest
to bring out better methods of con-
troll it usually has succeeded, and
4 trade" is to he congratulated that it
/ has u new institution at Washington
/ looking after it's affairs.
The Ship Bill.
When Mark Hannah advocated a
ship subsidy as the best method of
building up the merchant marine, he
was denounced by Congress and the
country. His plan was viewed by
many rs an attempt to loot the treas
ury. The Democrats took up the cry
Rand condemned ship subsidies in
their pagty platforms. President
Wilson hasi attempted to build up the
! merchant marine by new process.
As result ne has brought up on him
self. bitter fight. Nevertheless.
there is a sentiment, that has been en-
phasized by developments during the
war in favor of an American mer-
chant marine that will equal the best
in Europe. It seems certain that pri-
vate American capital will not engage
in this line Of commerce until more
favorable laws are enacted by the fed
eral government President Wilson's
ship bill may be a dead one, as is
claimed, but the Americans have
awakened to the need Of activity by
by the United States in controlling
it's foreign shipping. Therefore, leg
islation to make better conditions for
American boats upon the high seas, is
certain to become a prominent factor
in the legislative calendar of the fu-
ture.
Factional Republican Scheme.
It is claimed that about a dozen rich
Republicans have gotten together on
a plan in Washington to make money
talk in advancing the ideas Of con
sentative Republicans" If reports
are to be credited number of rich
men have subscribed several thousand
dollars. and the hat will be passed till
it is filed in order that there may be
plenty Of money with which to cut
loose" The officials Of the party or
ganization are not in any way identi-
fed with the movement, and are under
stood to be opposed to any such meth
cd of conducting the affairs of the par
ty. Most people supposed that such
schemes were out Of date, and it is
rather siirnrisiDa that these methods /
should be resurrected for use in pres
ent day political affairs
Congressman and Their Work.
In a few days more, with good luck |
Congress will finish its work and its |
members will likely 90 home. None
of the members want to see Wash
ington again until next December and |
the country agrees that it will be to |