1. Teddy Roosevelt’ Square Deal
Chapter 17 Section 3
Teddy Roosevelt’ Square Deal

2. 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 McKinley's VP (gets him out of the state)
McKinley is assassinated so Theodore becomes President
He becomes the youngest president ever at 42
Non traditional President (boxed (blinded in left eye) , rode 100mi 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

3. 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

4. Trust Busting
1900 4/5ths 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)

5. 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

6. 1902 Coal Strike 140,000 Miners went on strike in PA demanding
They wanted a 20% pay raise, 9hr 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, 9hr 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

11. 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