El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-12-13

10 the report, mas DeeH ueVeiopeu
from the commissions other in-
quiries. Lack OF adequate trade infor.
nation has been found to be one OF
the chief obstacles In many indus.
tries to the operation OF natural COM
petitive forces, and where trade asso-
Citations collect such information, IL
was discovered that temptation fire..
quently results to control prices ar.
tifically and the channels OF distribu-
ton. Publicity OF trade association
files, 1t is urged, would extend the
knowledge of demand and supply and
help to prevent abnormal fluctuations
in prices, as well as tend the curb as
ISOLATION activities Of Objectionable
character.
Economic Investigations during the
year have been made into the news
print paper, book-print paper, petro-
loum, beet sugar, flag, lumber. anthra-
cite coal and bituminous coal indus
tries. Results Of the inquiries were
made public as completed, but the
commission takes occasion in the re-
port to point out that the passage OF
time has confirmed the correctness of
its deductions from the coal investi-
cation that the delay in the move
ment Of cars is what is limiting the
output of the mines.
I'm the absence OF sufficient refor-
nation in the use of rolling stock the
coal situation in this country will con-
tinue to increase in its menace to the
public welfare" the report adds.
Opportunity also is taken to rectify
a misrepresentation which the commits.
sion found to exist regarding a para
graph in its coal report, which said:
Whatever measure of success has
marked the efforts of the commission
with relation to anthracite coal has
been largely because the car supply
has been adequate by reason of the
close corporate relation between rail
transportation and anthracite produc-
ton. Quite the contrary condition ex-
lists with relation to bituminous and
rail transportation and with relation
to water transportation as to both
kinds Of COAL"
This statement, the report says, has
been m~isconstrued to mean that a
close corporate relation between coal
mining companies and transportation
agencies is desirable. The report con,
tinues:
ION the contrary, the commission
was seeking simply to show that II
sufficient interest is present, trans
portation facilities in existence can
be made adequately to care for slim
ulated production. The speedy move
ment of coal by interested transpor-
tation companies was pointed out to
emphasize by contract the misuse of
rolling stock by other transportation
companies. The evil of a community
of interest between coal producing
and coal transporting companies are
fully recognized by the commission.
Directly as to anthracite, this is
shown by abnormal freight rates
which have been secured by interest
ed transportation companies for the
movement of such coal. Instead of
being in the public interest, this COM
munity of corporate interest. there
fore, makes for unduly high prices OF
coal to the public and has in it the
making of further monopoly"
In Opdor m chfaip onrporatfno M
ports in a more serviceable form, the
has been advising indus.
tries regarding uniform methods of
cost accounting, but because Of the
lack of funds, this work now has been
yer to the department of com.
Reports from manufacturing
concerns, classified by industries,
were requested on a voluntary basis,
but the returns were disappointing.
The commission points out the de.
STABILITY of a general survey Of cor.
p%orations and adds that information
thus obtained could be used in en-.
Of laws against intercom-
pany stockholding and interlocking
ii~rectorates. While the commission
in some instances has interviewed to
prevent suspected projects Of this
kind, it is said that many violations
Of law will escape detection unless
some systematic investigation is
made.
Investigations of raj materials at
direction of the president have
been concerned chiefly with the prep
lration and marketing of meats, grain
and canned vegetables and fish,
operation of produce exchanges,
coal and coke. iron ore, iron and steel
PRODUCTS, petroleum products, lumber
or ~shipbuilding. cement. fire brick,
copper, lead, zinc, nickel and other
metals or alloys.