
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 29USC4]

 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
                       CHAPTER 1--LABOR STATISTICS
 
                SUBCHAPTER I--BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
 
Sec. 4. Duties of Commissioner in general

    It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to 
ascertain the effect of the customs laws, and the effect thereon of the 
state of the currency, in the United States, on the agricultural 
industry, especially as to its effect on mortgage indebtedness of 
farmers. He shall also establish a system of reports by which, at 
intervals of not less than two years, he can report the general 
condition, so far as production is concerned, of the leading industries 
of the country. He is also specially charged to investigate the causes 
of, and facts relating to, all controversies and disputes between 
employers and employees as they may occur, and which may tend to 
interfere with the welfare of the people of the different States. He 
shall also obtain such information upon the various subjects committed 
to him as he may deem desirable from different foreign nations, and 
what, if any, convict-made goods are imported into this country, and if 
so from whence.

(June 13, 1888, ch. 389, Sec. 7, 25 Stat. 183; Aug. 23, 1912, ch. 350, 
Sec. 1, 37 Stat. 407; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, Sec. 3, 37 Stat. 737; May 
29, 1928, ch. 901, Sec. 1(110), (111), 45 Stat. 994.)

                       References in Text

    The customs laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to 
Title 19, Customs Duties.

                          Codification

    Section is from act June 13, 1888. Act June 13, 1888, also contained 
other provisions relating to duties of former Commissioner of Labor to 
ascertain cost of producing, in leading countries, articles dutiable in 
United States, comparative cost of living, etc., which have been omitted 
from this section because of act Aug. 23, 1912, transferring those 
duties to Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
    Act Aug. 23, 1912, transferred the duty of former Commissioner of 
Labor to ascertain the cost of producing, in leading countries, articles 
dutiable in the United States, the profits of the manufacturers and 
producers of such articles, the comparative cost of such articles, 
comparative cost of living in such countries, what articles are 
controlled by trusts and the effect they have on prices and production, 
to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. Text of said act is set 
out as section 172 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
    Act Mar. 4, 1913, authorized the substitution of ``Commissioner of 
Labor Statistics'' for ``Commissioner of Labor''.


                               Amendments

    1928--Act May 29, 1928, repealed provisions requiring reports to 
Congress on investigations required by this section, and is authority 
for omission of ``and report as to'' after ``ascertain'' in first 
sentence and ``and report thereon to Congress'' at end of third sentence 
relating to information from foreign nations, and convict made goods.

                          Transfer of Functions

    For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies 
of Department of Labor, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of Labor, 
with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 6 of 1950, Secs. 1, 2, 15 
F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1263, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government 
Organization and Employees.
