1851–1921, American economist, b. Davenport, Iowa. He developed an interest in public finance at Johns Hopkins Univ. and pursued this field during later studies in Germany. He taught economics at the Univ. of Michigan (1886–1921). Adams also worked with the Interstate Commerce Commission, making valuable contributions to the area of public trade regulation. He was a supporter of labor unions, and one of the first American economists to study the roles of the public and private sectors.