Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-09
BUSINESS ON HIGHER PLANE.
CO. Operation Secured in Effort e
Maintain Commercial Morality.

Washington, Dec. .9.--Thea ceuntry's
business men have given hearty CO.
operation to the federal trade commits
sion in Its efforts 10 maintain proper
standards OF commercial morality in
American business. according to the
annual report of the commission made
public today
Development of the commissions
policy has had for its first purpose, the
| report declares. promotion of the best
business efficiency. It's aim has been
ito understand and make allowance
for the difficulty of the problem, to see
both sides of every case. to protect
| men in the furtherance of legitimate
self-interest by all reasonable and
normal methods, and al the same time
, to keep the channels Of competition
free and open to all. so that a man
with small capital may engage in bust
ness IN competition with powerful
rivals. assured that he may operate his
business free from harassment and
intimidation and may be given a fair
opportunity to work out his business
problems with such industry, eff
cheney and intelligence as he may
possess"
The report lays stress on the .Iork
Of the commission in preventing unfair
competition. Since its creation and up
10 the end of the fiscal year the COM
mission has considered a46 applica-
tons for the issuance OF complaints
against corporations and firms accused
OF unfair practices. OF those, 10I have
been disposed of in various ways, Some
concerns were ordered to discontinue
the tactics complained of others
voluntary agreed TO cease unbusiness-
Ike many kinds OF law violations.
The trade commissions work has in
cluded also economic and special in
vestigations. What the commission
considers its most important economic
inquiry is the subject of cooperation
in export trade This report was is
sued during the summer and recon-
mended TO congress that American
manufacturers be permitted 10 form
export combinations 4 bill providing
for that. having the endorsement Of the
administration. is, now pending in CON
gress
One investigation had 10 do with
Uniform accounting methods. That
showed. according to the commission.
large percentage of the country's
manufacturers and merchants had
slight knowledge Of their costs Of pro-
duction or selling expense. An investi-
cation of trade possibilities and con-
ditions in each Of the country's in
dustries, the report says, developed in
formation that VIII prove invaluable
10 producers and persons contemplat-
ing investments.
The commission investigated the
high prices OF gasolene. started IN
Guiries into the print paper situation
ard the bituminOus and anthracite coal
industries. continued its investigation
Of resale price maintenance and aided
n disposing of the Mexican. ssal crop
Activities in connection with en-
fGrcement of the Sherman act included
an investigation TO determine the re-
lations existing between various COM
panies into which the Standard on
Company was dissolved and prepare
ton of a decree in the Corn Products
Refining Company case referred TO il
by the federal courts.
An urgent appeal is made TO con-
eress for a larger appropriation for
carrying on the work of the commits
son, which the report declares. has
grown so heavy the present force OF
employees can not handle it.