LABOR AND COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF. One of the nine executive departments of the United States Government, created by act of Congress of February IL 1903. and presided over by a Secretary, who is a member of the Cabinet and one of the officers in line of suc cession to the Presidency. His salary and ten sire are the same as those of the other members of the Cabinet. The act of Congress creating the new department charges it with the duty of fos tering. promoting. and developing the foreign and domestic eommerce of the United manufacturing, and fishery industries. the inter ests of labor, improvement of transportation fa cilities, and the supervision of the bnsiness of insurance. The organization of the department consists of a Bureau of Corporations. a Bureau of the Bureau of Labor, the Light house Board. the lighthouse establishment. the steamhoat-inspeetion service. the Bureau of Navi gation. the Bureau of Standards. the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the immigration service, includ ing the enforcement of the Chinese exclusion acts, the Bureau of Statistics of the Treasnry Depart ment. the Shipping Commissioner, the Bureau of Foreign Commerce (formerly in the Department of State), the Census Bureau. and the Fish Com
mission, ineluding control of the fur-seal, salmon, and other fisheries of Alaska. An entirely new feature is the Bureau of Corporations, to which is given partial jurisdiction of the control of trusts and trade combinations. At the head of this bu reau is a Commissioner of Corporations, with a salary of $5000. Ile is charged with making `diligent investigation' into the organization, conduct, and management of the business of any corporation or joint-stock company engaged in commerce among the several States and with foreign nations, excepting eommon carriers, who are subject to the Interstate Commerce Aet. He is furthermore required to collect information and data relative to foreign and interstate com merce, and to report the same to the President. To him is given the same power with respect to corporations and joint-stock companies as is conferred upon the Interstate Commerce Com mission in respect to common carriers, including the right to subpalia and compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses.