Progressive Legislation Angela Brown Chapter 8 Section 2 1

Urban Reforms Attacking the Bosses Political machines survived most attacks. Voters switched back and forth between reformers and bosses. Voter support for reforms prompted machines to work w/reformers = astonishing improvements 2

Cities Take Over Utilities City control provided residents with more affordable services out of 3 cities had form of city- owned utilities. 3

Providing Welfare Services Public baths, parks, work-relief program, playgrounds, free kindergarten, lodging houses for the homeless (provided by some cities). “All people would be good, if social conditions were good.” 4

State Reforms More Power to Voters One way to limit power of party bosses was to give voters more direct say in lawmaking and choosing candidates. 1. Direct Primaries- an election in which voters cast ballots to select nominees for upcoming elections  1916 all but three states  no longer handpicked party leaders to run 5

1. 17 th Amendment- popular election of Senators 2. Initiative Process- citizens can propose new laws by obtaining a certain percentage of voters’ signatures on a petition – Once signatures are collected, proposed law placed on the ballot for the next election 6

3. Referendum- gave voters a more direct role in legislation – Citizens may demand via petition that a law passed by the legislature be “referred” to voters for their approval or rejection 4. Recall- gave voters the ability to remove public officials from office before the next election 7

 Triangle Fire March 25, 1911 A match or cigarette ignited a fire on the eighth floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City. Many of the exit doors were locked to prevent employee theft. 146 people died in the blaze. 8

9

10

Reforms of the Workplace Triangle Fire – improved fire safety standards – appoint fire inspectors, compulsory fire drills, unlock and fire proof exits. Labor department established, accident insurance programs and compensation systems all but five states had provisions for workplace accidents. 11

1908 Muller V. Oregon – U.S. Supreme Court limited hours to 10 a day for women laundry workers 1907 National Child Labor Committee convinced 30 states to abolish child labor – children defined as under age 14 Progressives sought minimum wage legislation for woman and children. 12

Federal Reforms TR’s “Square Deal” United Mine Workers strike due to low wages – 1902 TR insisted both sides submit to arbitration (3 rd party decides on legally binding solution) TR threatened to use army to seize and operate mines 1903 arbitration gave miners 10% raise, reduced hours 10 to 9. – they did not officially recognize union 13

TR called in a “square deal” for both sides = slogan for his presidency 1904 regulate food, drug, railroad industries 1906 Hepburn Act authorized Interstate Commerce Commission to limit rates if shippers complained of unfair treatment – permission needed before raising rates 14

1906 Pure Food Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act required accurate leabeling of ingredients, strict sanitary conditions, rating system for meat. 15

Anti-Trust Activism Roosevelt’s Attorney General used Sherman Anti-Trust Act to sue Northern Securities Company – a holding company A holding company buys up stocks and bonds of smaller companies = creates a monopoly 1904 Supreme Court dissolved the company 16

1909 Government filed 42 anti-trust actions (Standard Oil, beef trust, American Tobacco Company) TR not anti-business – believed trusts should be supervised and controlled 17

Protecting the Environment Earlier Presidents created Yellowstone/Yosemite – preserved 35 million acres of forest land 1900s experts to develop policy for land and water use backed by scientific data. 18

TR set aside 200 million acres for National forests, mineral reserves and water projects 1902 – National Reclamation Act – set aside money from the sale of public lands to fund construction of irrigation systems in arid states 19

New Labor Department 1912 Children’s Bureau created 1913 Department of Labor added as a new cabinet department – supported legislation to benefit women/children (contained both children’s and women’s bureaus) 1920 Women’s Bureau created first – female bureau heads at federal level 20

New Constitutional Amendments th Amendment authorized Congress to collect income taxes (prior relied on income from tariffs) – 18 th Amendment- prohibition-illegal to make, sell, or import liquor – repealed in 1933 Not everyone favored prohibition but thought it would protect society from the poverty and violence associated with drinking. School children signed pledges showing contempt for the “Cup of Death”. 21