Evening star., 1933-03-23
TRADE Commission
MAY Be ABOLISHED
Plan Calls for Distribution of
Power to Commerce and
Justices Offices.
IContinued From First Page.)

s II its. most important investigations.
s.that Of power trust and the public
sutilities, has been entirely within line
sMith President Roosevelts known views.
However, if the President in approv-
ing the general reorganization plan for
= the Government, which 1t is hoped Will
save the Government many millions OF
dollars annually, should take the view
that this work can be done IN the
executive departments as satisfactorily
! as in an independent agency, Congress
would be in no practical position to tie
his hands in the matter Under the
law. the reorganization ordered by the
President becomes effective unless Con-
gress should pass law turning it down.
should the President veto such law,
It would require two-thirds vote in both
Houses to override the President in the
matter.
Those who argue for the retention
of the Trade Commission as an mde-
pendent agency point out that 1t IS the
independent fact finding body OF the
Government. They insist it Is the only
body that can be expected to mvestl-
gate and make public their findings
contrary to the wishes Of the particular
administration that may be in power.
With that idea in mind, they 90 not
zee how President Roosevelt could bring
himself to strike down the COMMITS
sion .as in independent agency ~
argue that even though the PreStGnt
NAV desire to continue to delve teto
the public utility and power pro1ems
In the interest of the public. there
NAV be future administrations which
might not be so interested In the
matter.
Agency Of Congress.
When the Federal Trade Commission
was set up the theory was that 1t
should carry out in detail general
policies laid down in the arts Of Con-
gress which it administere& In prac-
hce, it has been created ~ an agency
of Congress. If this powts were given
to an executive department, it would
be removed further from Congress.
The Federal Trade Commission has
been the agency Of the Government
upon which Congress has relied for
impartial non-political investigations,
without direction or interference from
ithe executive. The supporters OF the
Federal Trade Commission argue To-Day
that this independence from executive
interference should be continued In
the interest of the public.
The Federal Trade Commission was
set up to protect the public from ex-
ploitation by dishonest business. It Is
the governmental agency which protects
honest business mef from dishonest
rivals and small business men from
powerful and INSCRIPTIONS competitors.
President Wilson in his message TO Con-
gress in January, 1914, regarding the
1f ho 0nnoyoiSciOn said. "'rho
opinion of the country would instantly
approve of such commission" He
continued that the country demanded
such q commission only as an mstru-
ment Of information, clearing house
for the facts, and as an inStrumentallty
for doing Justice to business where the
processes of the courts or the natural
3orces OF correction outside the courts
are inadequate.
Generally Approved.
Z He added There ought to be an
administrative commission capable Of
directing and shaping such corrective
processes, not only in aid OF the courts,
but also by independent suggestions, If
necessary"
The whole opinion of the Presi-
dent, of Congress and Of business itself
at the time the Federal Trade Com
mission was set up was that it must
necessarily and properly be an nde-
pendent governmental agency. The
special committee of the Chamber OF
Commerce Of the United States report
ing at that time said: For the pur-
poses which the trade commission bill
has in view-affecting business IN its
great branches OF manufacture ana
merchandising-an independent COM
mission Is to be preferred to an OH
cial subordinate Of cabinet officer.
The late Senator Newland Of Nevada,
q leader in the demand for this leg1s-
lation for the Federal Trade Commis-
sion, said at that time: There should
be an administrative tribunal OF high
character, non-partisan, or, rather, ol-
partisan, and independent Of any de-
partment of Government. assume also
there should be commission, rather
than one executive official, because there
are powers Of Judgment and powers OF
discretion to be exercised. The organ1-
Eation should be quasi judicial IN
character"
Costs Million Annually.
Former Attorney General Wicker
sham, in 1911, discussing the ma1nte-
nance of the antitrust laws and the
necessity of further regulation OF q
corporation engaged in interstate COM
merce, said: THE Department OF JUS
tice is not organized or equipped to
maintain constant supervision and con-
troll over business organizations. It deals
only with cases of violation of the law.
The activities Of an administrative
board or commission would be directed
to prevent such violations and IN aiding
business men to maintain q continued
status of harmony with the require
ments of law"
When the Federal Trade Commission
act was being debated In the Senate,
Senator Norris said OF the commls-
sion: 1T would be permanent COM
mission, one that would not be de-
PENDENT upon the success of any po-
litical party or any administration to
continue it in power, and therefore
would feel like enforcing the law with.
out reference to what effect 1t woulo
have on politics"
The Federal Trade Commission has
had in mind to initiate two mveStlga-
tions of great public interest at this
time. One was an investigation into
the financial practices of corporations
and the other an investigation OF the
affect Of antitrust laws on industries
exploiting natural resources.
During the last session OF Congress
an effort was made to curtail materially
the operations Of the Commission
through the denial of adequate funds
ONLY the insistence of the Senate
brought the appropriation carried ir
the Independent Offices bill up te
$1,000, 900, which was less than recon-
mended in the budget. The govern.
mental expenditures for the Fedora
Trade Commission during its 18 or ]!
years of operation have averaged littl,
more than 100000, which canno
be called costly in view Of the impor'