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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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.