1. Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal
Theodore Roosevelt used the power of the presidency to push for progressive reforms in business and environmental policy

2. I. Roosevelt’s view of the presidency
Taking office
President William McKinley fatally shot by an anarchist in Buffalo, NY
Theodore Roosevelt now holds the highest office in the land
42 years old
Bully Pulpit – a power platform to publicize important issues and seek support for his policies

3. The coal strike of 1902
Pennsylvania Coal Miners Strike
150,000 miners struck for high wages, shorter hours, and recognition of their union
Gave Roosevelt an opportunity to define his view of the presidency
Urged the mine owners and striking workers to accept arbitration
Workers accepted
Owners did not
Roosevelt threatened to take over the mines
3 month investigation, the arbitrators announce their decision
Workers get a shorter work day
Higher pay
Did not require companies to recognize the union

4. The Square Deal
Became Roosevelt’s 1904 campaign slogan and the framework for his entire presidency
He promoted to “see that each [person] is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.”
Revealed his belief that the needs of workers, business, and consumers should be balanced
Called for limiting the power of trusts, promoting public health, safety, and improving working conditions
Cruised to victory in the election

5. Daily Assignment Define: Theodore Roosevelt Bully Pulpit Square Deal
What was the reason for the 1902 coal strike?
Describe Roosevelt’s strategy to settle the coal strike.
In what way did the coal strike agreement represent a square deal?
What was the square deal?
What was Theodore Roosevelt’s view of the role of the president?

6. II. Regulating Big Business
Trust-busting
1901 tycoons J.P. Morgan, James J. Hill, and E. H. Harriman joined their railroads together to eliminate competition
Created Northern Securities Company
Dominated railroad shipping from Chicago to the Northwest
President Roosevelt orders the U.S. Attorney General to sue the company
Violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act
Supreme court ruled that it was a monopoly
Ordered to dissolve the company

7. Ruling was a watershed
Encouraged Roosevelt’s administration to launch a vigorous trust-busting campaign
Filed dozens of lawsuits against monopolies and trusts that were not in the public’s interests
The Roosevelt administration went after the bad trusts: the ones that sold inferior products, competed unfairly, or corrupted public officials

8. Regulating the railroads
Railroads commonly granted rebates to their best customers
This meant that huge corporations paid significantly less to ship their products than small farmers or small business
1903 Congress passed the Elkins Act
Prohibited railroads from accepting rebates
Ensured that all customers paid the same rates for shipping their products
Hepburn Act of 1906
Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
Gave it the power to set maximum railroad rates
Regulate other companies that were engaged in interstate commerce

9. Protecting customers
Food producers
Egg producers
Drug companies
Dr. James Soothing Syrup
Gowan’s Pneumonia Cure
Meatpacking business
Upton Sinclair, The Jungle
James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture
Ordered to investigate the conditions of packing houses
Final report made for some gruesome reading
Meat Inspection Act
Required federal inspection of meat shipped across state lines
Pure Food and Drug Act
Forbade the manufacture, sale, or transportation of food and patent medicine containing harmful ingredients.
The law also required food and medicine containers to carry accurate ingredient labels

10. Daily Assignment
Which two acts regulated shipping rates within the railroad industry?
What caused improvements within the meat-packing and drug industries?
Why do you think it took so long for reforms to occur within the food and drug industries?
What measures did the Roosevelt administration take to regulate business and protect consumers?
What is the impact today of The Pure Food and Drug Act?
Create a chart summarizing the record of major legislation regulating business during Roosevelt’s presidency.
HOMEWORK: Due on Monday, May 2nd
As a consumer in 1906, write a letter to Congress supporting the Pure Food and Drug bill.