1. Progressive Legislation
Chapter 18 Section 2
Progressive Legislation

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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
/3 of states had abolished child labor
1912 Massachusetts adopted a minimum wage law – followed by 8 more states

5. 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

6. 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
Gifford Pinchot appointed leader of US Forest Service to protect resources, environment, and wildlife
1913 – 16th and 17th Amendments
1919 – 18th Amendment - Prohibition