Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-21
TRADE COMMISSION UNDER FIRE

The various reports and announcements of the Fed
eral Trade commission have been the subject Of frequent
comment, and surprise has. often been manifested be-
cause Of the apparent bias with which the commission
had approached its work. Recently the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States assigned to one Of its
committee the duty of making a survey of the commits
sion's work, and the report of that committee has been
filed with the Chamber and forwarded to the president
Of the United States. The report is quite lengthy. but a
summary Of some Of its main points will be of general
interest.
In its report the committee concerns itself with
questions Of policy of the Commission and its procedure
and not with the merits Of particular cases. and in its
desire to avoid ex parte statement has referred only to
matters of record either in the Commissions own pub
locations or in the sworn testimony of it's members and
its staff before committee of Congress. 81
To show that the Commission has undertaken the
exercise Of functions beyond its jurisdiction the commit
tee cites the case involving newsprint paper manufac-
turers and publishers with which the Commission dealt.
The Commission. it is declared, in seeking to have pro-
ducers and consumers agree to establish the commissio
as an arbiter Of their differences went beyond the law. Of
its creation and possessing no power to enforce its find
ings was placed "in the awkward position Of having its
award ignored That the Commission went beyond its
functions in this connection is indicated, the report de-
clares, by the fact that thu" Senate voted down 9. bill
meant to authorize the Commission to do the things 1t
has attempted to assume through agreements. The Com
mission itself, the report sets forth. admitted that some OF
its efforts were without express authority at law.
Taking up the efforts Of the Commission in the direc-
ton OF distribution Of anthracite coal, the report sets
forth that this was not a proper function for the Com
mission and that It did not have facilities essential for
the task.
Regarding the Commissions methods in arriving at
the cost Of bituminous coal production In which its
figures were used BY the President as a basis for fixing
the price Of coal in August, 1917. tho report indicates
the Commission did not have adequate Information aor
the task It undertook, used bases for estimating costs
that contained Innovations and were not fully disclosed
to the industry or the public. and arrived at figures which
would prevent production Of 10000. 900 tons Of our an
nual supply.
Supporting It's charge that the Commission has left
incomplete itsS study Of important situations because Of
vacfiating interests or for other reasons. the committee
points ont that upwards Of four hundred thousand dol
lars has been spent by the Commission and Its prede-
Icsssof. tho Bureau Of Corporations. ri investigations OF
the lumber Industry and that no hnals conclusions and
Recommendation - 20 fundamental economic conditssn.
havs bssn publisssd although repeatedly promised "a
.lconsresaional conrnittsss. AIthoush the Commission
land IL predecessor havs been ensassd since 1919 III a
inquiry into tho subject ~ maintenance pf resale prices
lths orniais1ton@t tho report dsciares.. Has failed To- csar
sIplsts IL studyAana nsyssr ~ prsssntsd q Anaiysa b
H. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS aussacns inyolvsd a naAinl