Progressive Legislation Chapter 18 Section 2 Progressive Legislation

Setting the Scene March 25, 1911 a fire in the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in NY About 500 workers Exits blocked, doors locked, fire ladders not long enough 145 workers died Rose Schneiderman – one of best-known women labor leaders arranged a public meeting Reforms (outcomes) were fire inspectors, fire drills, automatic sprinklers, free and unlocked exits

Expanded Government Social welfare programs – ensured a minimum standard of living Unemployment benefits, insurances, social security system Cities and municipals were impacted greatly - towns Home rule – system that gives cities a limited degree of self-rule Disasters such as Galveston, TX hurricane, or Ohio Great Miami River Basin flood led to reform Dayton, Ohio became the first large city to adopt a council-manager government Cities began to take over utility companies – 1915, 2 out of 3 cities controlled utilities

State Reforms Power to voters Direct primary – election in which citizens vote to select nominees for upcoming elections Initiative – process of which citizens can place a new law directly on the ballot with enough voters’ signatures Referendum – citizens could approve or reject a law passed by legislature Recall – voters can remove public officials from office before elections In 1913, the 17th Amendment was passed - direct election of senators Lochner v. New York (1905)- Supreme Court struck down a law setting maximum hours for bakers 1907- 2/3 of states had abolished child labor 1912 Massachusetts adopted a minimum wage law – followed by 8 more states

Federal Reforms Teddy Roosevelt’s Square Deal Teddy Roosevelt in 1902 intervened in the United Mine Workers strike Went to arbitration – a settlement decided by a third party Reduced work hours from 10 to 9, and 10% raise Holding company – firm that buys stocks and bonds of smaller companies Northern Securities Company was sued in violation of the Sherman Act of 1890 – forced to dissolve In 1906, passed Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) Regulated railroad rates

Federal Reform (Continued) 1906, Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act – required labeling ingredients, strict sanitary conditions, and rating of meats Department of Labor added in 1913 1905 - Gifford Pinchot appointed leader of US Forest Service to protect resources, environment, and wildlife 1913 – 16th and 17th Amendments 1919 – 18th Amendment - Prohibition