Square Deal Teddy Roosevelt

President McKinley’s VP McKinley was assassinated and that make Roosevelt the President in 1901 Former NY Police Commissioner Asst. Sec of Navy Sp/Am War hero Square Deal: Plan of reform to help common people to not get victimized by big business

Federal Power w/ strikes 1902 Coal Strike 140,000 coal workers strike, demand 20% raise, 9 hr. workday, and organize a Union. Operators refuse demands Coal reserves run low during the winter Both sides called to White House Roosevelt threatens govt. takeover Both sides agree to arbitration workers= 10% raise, 9hr. Workday Operators/owners= workers give up union, and right to strike for 3 years.

Trust Busting By 1900 trusts controlled about 1/5 of all industry in US “Good Trust” vs. “Bad Trust” Enforcement of Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1902- TR ordered the Justice Dept. to sue No. Securities Co. Which established a monopoly on NW RR’s 1904 – Sup. Crt. Dissolved the No. Securities Co. Later takes on beef, tobacco, and oil trusts

Rail Road Regulation Elkins Act 1903 Hepburn Act 1906 Made it illegal for railroad officials and shippers to give or receive rebates. RR could not change its’ rates w/out notifying the public. Hepburn Act 1906 Limited the distribution of free RR passes Allowed the ICC power to set max railroad rates.

Labor Issues Boston Police strike Lack of raise Commissioner fired union representatives Remaining officers went on strike Mass. Gov. Calvin Coolidge calls the National Guard to end the strike Hires new commissioner, and replace strikers AFL (Samuel Gompers) appeals to Gov. on police behalf “public safety can not be at risk or dangered on strike at any time”

Misc. Roosevelt Kept business in line with 42 Anti-trust (Anti-monopoly) lawsuits Aided the environment (Conservationism) by setting aside 200 million acres of land for national forests, mineral resources and water reserves (Including the Tennessee Valley Authority) 16th Amendment – Income Tax. More money from the wealthy 18th Amendment – Prohibition. Manufacture, sale and possession of alcohol illegal. Does not seek re-election after 2nd term, Chooses William H. Taft to be his successor Nobel Peace Prize for settling the Russo-Japanese War.  Prohibition was a result of the Woman’s Temperance Movement who sought to end the poverty and violence associated with alcohol.