CHAPTER 17 SECTION 3 Teddy Roosevelt Square Deal

CHAPTER 17 SECTION 3 Teddy Roosevelt’ Square Deal

Theodore Roosevelt ◦ He has asthma as a child making him more determined to accomplish great feats ◦ His Rough Riders won publicity at the Battle of San Juan Hill ◦ Was the governor of NY and nominated to become Mc. Kinley's VP (gets him out of the state) ◦ Mc. Kinley is assassinated so Theodore becomes President ◦ He becomes the youngest president ever at 42 ◦ Non traditional President (boxed (blinded in left eye) , rode 100 mi on horseback to say he did ◦ His bold actions in politics as well made him the leader of modern presidency ◦ Used a “Bully Pulpit” to influence the media and new legislation

The Square Deal ◦ Term referred to the various progressive reforms sponsored by Roosevelt's administration ◦ It was his plan for the government ◦ Included the 3 C’s ◦ Control the corporations ◦ Consumer protection ◦ Conservation of natural resources

Trust Busting ◦ 1900 4/5 ths of industries in the U. S. were controlled by trusts (monopolies) ◦ Used unfair business practices ◦ Low prices to drive competitors out (then later raised prices) ◦ Sherman Anti-Trust Act made enforcement hard because of its vague language ◦Roosevelt aimed at stopping the trusts that were bothering the public ◦He filed antitrust law suits using the Sherman Ant Trust Act (44 in all)

Trust Busting ◦ Roosevelt's most popular trust bust was with the Northern Securities Company ◦ He ordered the Justice Dep. To sue them ◦ They had established a monopoly over the NW RR ◦ Company was dissolved in 1904

1902 Coal Strike ◦ 140, 000 Miners went on strike in PA demanding ◦ They wanted a 20% pay raise, 9 hr work day, and the right to unionize ◦ No negotiation was possible (unwilling) ◦ Roosevelt called both sides to the White House to settle the issue ◦ After the threat of Roosevelt taking over the mines himself the owners settled ◦ Miners won 10% pay raise, 9 hr work day ◦ They had to give up a close shop (where all workers must be in the union) ◦ Also gave up right to strike within the next 3 years ◦ From here on it is understood that if the strike threatened public welfare than the government was expected to intervene

Railroad Regulation ◦ 1887 Interstate Commerce Act passed prohibiting RR companies fixing prices (controlling other businesses and the prices they set) ◦ Interstate Commerce Act was passed but had little enforcement capabilities ◦ Roosevelt passed Elkins Act in 1903 ◦ Made it illegal for officials to give and shippers to receive rebates ◦Hepburn Act of 1906 limiting distribution of free railroad passes (form of Bribery) ◦Also give power to ICC to set max RR rates ◦Acts boosted Governments power to regulate the RR’s

Caring for the Consumer ◦ The Jungle written by Upton Sinclair highlighted multiple issues in the meat packing industry ◦ Sinclair's writing not only disgusted American consumers but it also initiated Congress Action ◦ 1906 Meat Inspection Act passed creating strict requirements in meat packing ◦ Government had to pay for the inspections ◦ Companies still not required to label their canned meat of expiration dates ◦ Meat packers also got the right to appeal negative decisions in court

Food Improvements ◦ Before standards were required businesses stated that their product did everything the product would have wanted it to ◦ Ex. Tylenol, Improves headaches instantly with not side effects! ◦ Curing Cancer, Curling Hair, etc. ◦ Children's medicine also contained opium, cocaine, and alcohol ◦ 1906 Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act ◦ Prohibited the sale of contaminated foods ◦ Truth in labels ◦ Did not outlaw harmful products ◦The hope was that the people would see what it was in it and make better decisions

Roosevelt's Conservation ◦ Roosevelt's administration sparked a new era of conservation ◦ The nations natural resources (timber, minerals, etc. ) were decreasing ◦ He sets aside 148 mil acres of Natural Forests ◦ Roosevelt also set aside 1. 5 mil acres of water power sites ◦ Another 80 mil to explore for mineral and water sources ◦ Also established another 50 wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks ◦ Newlands Act passed in 1902 took money from the sale of public lands especially to create water power sites