The director of the inspection section is hereby directed to collect any information he may deem necessary to carry out the objects of the department as set forth in section 291.070, and is hereby authorized to furnish suitable blanks to managers of public service corporations, county, city and township officers, and to the officers of prisons, penal and reformatory institutions, and it shall be the duty of all such managers and officers to furnish such information as the director may require and which may be in their possession with the least possible delay.