Progressive+Presidents

Theodore Roosevelt (1901 - 1909) TR opposed “irresponsible corporate behavior” Roosevelt’s Justice Dept. sued 44 companies for anti-trust violations Northern Securities vs. US (1902): a railroad company is ruled a monopoly and dissolved by the Supreme Court TR creates the Dept of Commerce and Labor to regulate business Bureau of Corporations: regulate interstate businesses Elkins Act and Hepburn Act: increased government authority over railroad rates and busness practices “We don’t wish to destroy corporations, but we do wish to make them subserve the public good.” Democrat and Republican Made his own "Progressive Party"

William Howard Taft (1908 - 1912) Mann-Elkins Act (1910): strengthened the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission over railroads and extended its power over telephone and telegraph lines Angered many reformers and conservationists for being timid Prosecuted 90 anti-trust cases

Woodroe Willson (1911 - 1913) Child Labor Act (1916) Protected children workers. Later deemed unconstitutional Created the income tax (only on incomes of $4,000+; top rate was 6% on 500,000!) Federal Reserve Act of 1913; created a central banking system to lend money to banks Federal Trade Commission (1914): investigate operations of corporations Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): tougher regulations for corporations Workmen's compensation for federal employees Federal Farm Loan Act (1916): low interest loans for farmers