Progressive-Era

Roosevelt Intervenes in Coal Strike as Neutral Arbitrator, Origins of Square Deal

| Importance: 9/10

On October 3, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt convened an unprecedented conference in Washington bringing together representatives of government, labor, and management to resolve the anthracite coal strike that threatened to leave Americans without heating fuel for the approaching winter. …

Theodore Roosevelt John Mitchell J.P. Morgan Elihu Root Railroad coal barons labor-rights progressive-era presidential-power corporate-power federal-intervention
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Anthracite Coal Strike Begins in Pennsylvania, 147,000 Miners Walk Out

| Importance: 8/10

On May 12, 1902, 147,000 anthracite coal miners in eastern Pennsylvania, organized by the United Mine Workers under President John Mitchell, went on strike after railroad companies that owned the mines refused to meet with union representatives. The miners demanded better wages, shorter work weeks …

United Mine Workers John Mitchell Theodore Roosevelt Railroad companies Coal mine operators labor-rights progressive-era corporate-power federal-intervention
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Justice Department Files Antitrust Suit Against Beef Trust Monopoly

| Importance: 8/10

In May 1902, while the Northern Securities case proceeded through the courts, Attorney General Philander Knox filed a second major antitrust suit under President Theodore Roosevelt against the “Beef Trust”—a cartel of six major meatpacking companies (Swift, Armour, Morris, Cudahy, …

Theodore Roosevelt Attorney General Philander Knox Swift & Company Armour & Company Morris & Company +2 more antitrust corporate-power regulatory-enforcement progressive-era food-industry
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Roosevelt Announces Northern Securities Antitrust Suit Against J.P. Morgan Railroad Trust

| Importance: 9/10

On February 19, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt’s Department of Justice announced plans to file an antitrust suit against the Northern Securities Company, a railroad holding company formed in November 1901 by J.P. Morgan, James J. Hill, and Edward H. Harriman to control the Great Northern …

Theodore Roosevelt Attorney General Philander Knox J.P. Morgan James J. Hill Edward H. Harriman +1 more antitrust corporate-power regulatory-enforcement progressive-era railroad-regulation
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