#hepburn act

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U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Second Term (1905-1909): Federal Regulation of Railroads

U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Second Term (1905-1909): Federal Regulation of Railroads

During President Theodore Roosevelt’s second term (March 4, 1905—March 4, 1909) the major developments regarding federal regulation of railroads were congressional enactment of the Hepburn Act in 1906 and proposed increases in such freight rates in 1907-1908.

The main provision of the Hepburn Act empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose “just and reasonable” freight rates while…

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Reactions to the Hepburn Act Regarding Railroads’ Freight Rates, July-December 1906

Reactions to the Hepburn Act Regarding Railroads’ Freight Rates, July-December 1906

As discussed in a prior post, the Hepburn Act, which became law on June 29, 1906, empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), upon complaint, to replace a railroad’s increased freight rates if the ICC determined found them to be “unreasonable” with what the ICC decided were “just and reasonable” rates.

This statute presented a new problem for the railroads. How could they justify any such…

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Federal Regulation of the Railroads in U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Second Term (1905-1909): The Hepburn Act

Federal Regulation of the Railroads in U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Second Term (1905-1909): The Hepburn Act

During President Theodore Roosevelt’s second term in office (03/04/1905—03/04/1909) there were two major developments regarding federal regulation of railroads: congressional enactment of the Hepburn Act regarding railroad freight rates in 1906 and public controversy over proposed increased freight rates in 1907-1908 with the Financial Panic of 1907 in the background.

This post examines the…

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Federal Regulation of the Railroads in U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Second Term (1905-1909): Introduction

Federal Regulation of the Railroads in U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s Second Term (1905-1909): Introduction

President Theodore Roosevelt &  the Railroads

During President Theodore Roosevelt’s terms in office (09/14/1901—03/04/1909), a prominent national political issue was whether and how the federal government should regulate corporations acting in interstate commerce, especially the railroads.

Prior posts reviewed this issue during Roosevelt’s “first” term (1901-1905) with respect to the Northern…

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