Why did Theodore Roosevelt get Congress to pass the Hepburn Act?
1 Answer
The Hepburn Act was passed at the urging of Roosevelt to regulate the Railroad industry.
Explanation:
The railroads had abused their power over trade and transportation. The book the Octopus by Frank Norris written in 1901 brought the abuses of the railroads to the public attention.
Theodore Roosevelt wanted to protect the American people from the exploitation of the railroads.
The railroads would arbitrarily set the rates for shipping wheat, grapes or ore. The rates would be set at a rate where the shipper could barely make a profit. The railroads had a monopoly so it was ship with the railroad or let the product rot. Favored people who "bribed" railroad officials were granted free shipping and rebates back on the shipping fees. Companies that were favored by the railroads were easily able to put their competitors out of business.
Roosevelt was a trust buster. Breaking the power of the railroads became a goal of the his administration. The Hepburn Act of 1906 strengthened the power of the ICC. The regulation power of the ICC ensured that the railroads could only charge a just and reasonable rate, what it actually cost the railroads to ship the products and make a reasonable profit. Sweetheart deals with free shipping and rebates were made illegal.
The Hepburn Act was passed by Congress at the urging of Theodore Roosevelt to regulate and control the power of the railroads. The Act was designed to limit the abuses of the railroads.
