The Progressive Era (Part 2)

The Search for Order and Efficiency Impose order on a chaotic society Search for greater efficiency in business Drive for honest, efficient, non-partisan government

The “Gospel of Efficiency” Frederick W. Taylor – the first efficiency expert Hoped to reduce waste by scientifically studying jobs  “Time-motion” studies Efficient layout of workplace could reduce  Lost time  Errors  Injuries Hoped pay incentives tied to productivity would encourage workers to exceed “average” Very effective in rigid, standardized jobs Workers hated it

Efficiency in Government The “Good Government” Movement Goals:  End political corruption  Bring efficient, business-like methods to government  Create a more compassionate legislative response to the excesses of industrialism

The “Good Government” Movement Local Level Blamed most of the urban problems on the “machine” Sought to make city management:  Non-partisan, even non-political  Wanted to introduce administrative techniques developed by big business Different organizational plans  Strong mayor  Board of Commissioners style  City manager style Another approach was to reform the policies, not the political structure  Usually emphasized efficiency and social welfare  Typically pushed for municipal ownership of utilities  Typically set work rules for government jobs  Typically pushed for public works (parks, etc)

The Democratization of Government (State Level) Initiative - Voters can place items on ballot Referendum - Allows voters, rather than legislature, to decide issues Recall - Allows removal of elected reps. w/o waiting for next election Direct primaries – Allows voters to select candidates (as opposed to convention system)

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883) President to create a 3 person commission Commission to establish standards for federal jobs Instituted competitive examinations for candidates Barred political candidates from soliciting contributions from government employees Didn’t get rid of patronage, but public service did improve

Munn v. Illinois (1876) Established theory that private property can become “clothed in the public interest” Established three key principles  Right of government to regulate any business w/ a “public interest”  Right of legislature to decide what is “fair and reasonable”  Right of states to act when Congress won’t

Wabash v. Illinois (1886) Limited the states’ right to regulate that had been granted in Munn A state could only regulate traffic within its boundaries Could not regulate traffic that crossed state lines  75% of traffic crossed state lines Public outrage led to creation of ICC in 1887  Its power limited, the ICC was far less powerful than the big railroads  Railroads could manipulate the system and set rates at will, the ICC was irrelevant

The Progressive Presidents Theodore Roosevelt   Republican William H. Taft   Republican Woodrow Wilson   Democrat

Roosevelt as President “ the quintessential progressive politician” Viewed the presidency as the “Bully Pulpit”  A platform to exhort Americans to reform their society Believed educated & wealthy Americans had a duty to serve, guide, and inspire the less fortunate Openly acknowledged economic and social inequalities Believed government agencies, led by experts, could find solutions to society’s problems

The 1912 Presidential Election Evincing the strength of the progressive ideals, all four candidates ran as “progressives”  Republican Party – Taft  Democratic Party – Wilson  Progressive Party – Roosevelt  Socialist Party - Debs

The Presidential Election of 1912 Republican Party William Howard Taft (Incumbent) Graduated income tax Safety codes for  Mines  Railroads Restrictions on child labor

The Presidential Election of 1912 Democratic Party Woodrow Wilson  Saw Roosevelt as main challenge  Claimed they were the “true’ progressives  State’s rights  Small government  Ambiguous reform proposals (equality of economic oppprtunity)

The Presidential Election of 1912 Progressive Party (a.k.a. “Bull Moose” party) Theodore Roosevelt  Women's suffrage  Eight hour day  End child labor  Min. wage for women  Stricter regulation of large corporations

The Presidential Election of 1912 Socialist Party Eugene V. Debs A radical choice  Abolish the system that oppresses workers  Tear up privilege by the roots  Took credit for pushing Roosevelt & Wilson to the left

Wilson’s Progressive Reforms Underwood-Simmons Act (1913) Federal Reserve Act (1913) Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) Federal Trade Act (1914) Federal Highways Act (1916)

The Progressive Movement - A Summary Traces its roots to the 1820s-30s Became a major political force after the WBTS Reached its peak under Wilson Greatly expanded the power and presence of the Federal Government Firmly established the public service concept of government