Editing Square Deal (section)

== Impact and specific provisions ==

=== Labor ===

Labor unions in the age of [[Samuel Gompers]] were generally on the Democratic side, but Roosevelt felt that favorable policies toward them would gain votes or at least neutralize their opposition.<ref>Stephen J. Scheinberg, "Theodore Roosevelt and the AF of L.'s entry into politics 1906–1908." ''Labor History'' 3#2 (1962): 131-148.</ref>  He had opposed unions in 1896, when they supported William Jennings Bryan, then came to appreciate their value after 1900.  He played a central role in negotiating a compromise to end the [[Coal strike of 1902]], which was threatening the nation's energy supply.<ref>Robert H. Wiebe, "The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902: A Record of Confusion." ''Mississippi Valley Historical Review'' (1961) 48#2, pp. 229–51. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1902513 in JSTOR]</ref>  He decided they also needed a square deal, and a stronger voice and collective bargaining with corporations.<ref>Irving Greenberg, ''Theodore Roosevelt and Labor, 1900–1918'' (1988)</ref><ref>Peter R. Perry, "Theodore Roosevelt and the labor movement" (MA thesis California State University, Hayward; 1991) [http://csueastbay-dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.5/40/Peter.R.PerryThesis.pdf?sequence=1 online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603174254/http://csueastbay-dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.5/40/Peter.R.PerryThesis.pdf?sequence=1 |date=2016-06-03 }}; bibliography pp 91-95.</ref>
* A measure was approved that providing that eight hours should constitute a day's labor on irrigation works.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{ cite web |url=http://debs.indstate.edu/p9646t5_1912.pdf |title=Theodore Roosevelt's Labor Record |access-date=2013-08-17 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040203224644/http://debs.indstate.edu/p9646t5_1912.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2004 }}</ref>
* Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the [[Philippine Islands]], with violation of the Act being punishable by forfeiture of contracts and a fine of not less than $10,000.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved safeguarding the lives of employees in mines in U.S. territories by regulating the amount of ventilation and providing that entries, etc., should be kept well dampened with water to cause coal dust to settle.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved exempting from taxation in the District of Columbia household effects to the value of $1,000, wearing apparel, libraries, school books, family portraits and heirlooms.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved providing for Government supervision of employment agencies in the [[District of Columbia]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* An Act relating to safety appliances on railroad trains was improved.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved requiring the collection of labor statistics in [[Hawaii]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved for the better protection of seamen.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved for securing the wages of employees on public works.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved for protecting the health of motormen and conductors on street railways in the District of Columbia.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved for a more thorough inspection of steam vessels.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved for safeguarding factory employees in the District of Columbia against accidents.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Google books |id=UNQgxw3nWMAC |page=285 |title=Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography }}</ref>
* A measure was approved making wages preferred claims.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved to provide for an investigation of women and child labor in the United States.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved restricting child labor in the District of Columbia.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved incorporating the National Child Labor Committee.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved establishing the Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Peace.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved to regulate the hours of labor of railroad employees in the District of Columbia and the Territories.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved making railroad companies engaged in interstate commerce or operating in the District of Columbia, the Territories, the Panama Canal Zone, or other United States possessions, liable for injuries to, or death of, employees while on duty.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved safeguarding the lives of miners in the U.S. Territories and the [[District of Alaska]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved permitting leave of absence, with pay, on Labor Day to per diem employees of the Government.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved granting to injured employees on the [[Panama Canal]] absence, with pay for time necessarily lost as a result of injuries.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved for the inspection of boilers.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* A measure was approved prohibiting peonage.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* The first Federal employment service (forerunner of the United States Employment Service) was created in the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, [[Department of Commerce and Labor]] (1907).<ref>{{ cite web|url=https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/events/1901-1950/|title=Social Welfare Developments, 1901-1950|date=2011-01-10|website=Social Welfare History Project|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>

=== Health and welfare ===

* The [[Pure Food and Drug Act]] of 1906 and the [[Meat Inspection Act]] of 1906 were both widely accredited from [[Upton Sinclair]]'s ''[[The Jungle]]''.
* The [[Federal Employers Liability Act]] of 1908.
* The Federal Employee's Compensation Act of 1908 provided workers' compensation for a number of federal employees.<ref>{{Google books |id=JpPcj2PgFfwC |page=79 |title=Labor and Employment Law }}</ref>
* Legislation was introduced (1902) that expanded the scientific work of the Acoustic Laboratory and appropriated a budget specific to the laboratory's work.<ref>{{Google books |id=jvxi9bRw3YYC |page=98 |title=Environmental Policy and Public Health }}</ref>
* In 1902 Congress gave authority to strengthen the Public Health Service.<ref>The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Background Material Concerning the Mission and Organization of the Health Activities of the Department. Prepared for the Special Subcommittee on HEW Investigation, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, United States House of Representatives · Volume 1 By United States. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1966, P.31</ref>
* An Act of 1903 enabled the Secretary of Agriculture "to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases of live-stock."<ref name="Archived copy">{{ cite web |url=http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Addresses_at_the_Republican_National_Convention_1904_Nominating_for_1000388965/71 |title=P.58-9. Addresses at the Republican National Convention, 1904, Nominating for President, Hon: Theodore Roosevelt of New York, for Vice-President Hon, Charles Warren Fairbanks of Indiana |access-date=2015-07-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715012530/http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Addresses_at_the_Republican_National_Convention_1904_Nominating_for_1000388965/71 |archive-date=2015-07-15 }}</ref>
* In 1902, $5,000 was appropriated to the Bureau of Chemistry by Congress "to study chemical preservatives and colors and their effects on digestion and health," with studies drawing attention to the problem of food adulteration.<ref name="fda.gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WhatWeDo/History/Milestones/ucm128305.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709183122/http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WhatWeDo/History/Milestones/ucm128305.htm |archive-date=2009-07-09 |title=Significant Dates in U.S. Food and Drug Law History|website=[[Food and Drug Administration]] }}</ref>
* The Oleomargarine Act (1902) authorized the definition of oleomargarine "for the purpose of collecting taxes on imported product, and also to discourage imitation of butter."<ref>{{Google Books |id=mLf1CAAAQBAJ |page=198 |title=Food Law Handbook }}</ref>
* The Biologics Control Act was passed (1902) "to ensure purity and safety of serums, vaccines, and similar products used to prevent or treat diseases in humans."<ref name="fda.gov"/>
* An Act of 1903 enabled the Secretary of Agriculture "to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases of live-stock."<ref name="Archived copy"/>
* The [[Bureau of the Census]] was authorized (1902) to collect information related to health and disease from around the country.<ref>[http://www.socialwelfarehistory.com/organizations/u-s-public-heath-service/ "U.S. Public Health Service"]. ''VCU Libraries Social Welfare History Project''. Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved February 22, 2018.</ref>
* The first Certified Color Regulations (1907) listed 7 colors found suitable for use in foods.<ref name="fda.gov"/>
* A Housing Commission was appointed (1908) to evaluate slum conditions.<ref>{{Google Books |id=Z58qIHs3NvAC |page=116 |title=Houser: The Life and Work of Catherine Bauer, 1905–64 }}</ref>
* Corporate welfare work was encouraged by the Roosevelt Administration; a policy continued under Roosevelt's successor [[William Howard Taft]].<ref>{{Google Books |id=D-NMAgAAQBAJ |page=RA1-PA390 |title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Business, Labor, and Economic History }}</ref>

=== Conservation ===

* The [[Newlands Reclamation Act]] (1902) led to the first 21 federal irrigation projects such as [[Theodore Roosevelt Dam]] in [[Arizona]].<ref name="nps.gov"/>
* The [[Transfer Act of 1905]].
* The [[Antiquities Act]] of 1906 gave the president authority to restrict the use of particular public lands in America.
* 16 million additional acres of Western forest were signed into federal protection.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{ cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/tr-environment/|title=Theodore Roosevelt and the Environment | work = American Experience | publisher = PBS|language=en|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>
* In Alaska, Roosevelt created the [[Tongass National Forest|Tongass]] and the [[Chugach National Forest|Chugach forest reserve]]s.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
* In Hawaii, Roosevelt set several small islands aside as the [[Hawaiian Islands Bird Reservation]].<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
* [[Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge|Pelican Island]] in [[Florida]] was proclaimed as the first federal bird reservation in 1903 (total of 51 bird reservations established by Roosevelt administration).<ref name="nps.gov">{{ cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/theodore-roosevelt-timeline.htm|title=Theodore Roosevelt Timeline | publisher = Theodore Roosevelt National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|last1=Medora|first1=Mailing Address: PO Box 7|last2=Us|first2=ND 58645 Phone:623-4466 Contact|website=www.nps.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>
* Improvements of waterways and reservation of water power sites were carried out.<ref>{{ cite web|url=https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Research/Digital-Library/Record/ImageViewer.aspx?libID=o282590&imageNo=1|title= ImageViewer|website=www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>
* The provisions of the Newlands Act were extended to Texas (1906).<ref name="memory.loc.gov">{{ cite web|url=http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amrvhtml/cnchron4.html|title=Conservation Movement: Conservation Chronology 1901-1907|website=memory.loc.gov|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>
* The [[National Forest Service]] was established (1905).<ref name="nps.gov"/>
* A National Conservation Commission was appointed (1908) to prepare "first inventory of natural resources."<ref name="nps.gov"/>
* From 1901 to 1909, Roosevelt signed legislation establishing five national parks: Crater Lake, Oregon; Wind Cave, South Dakota; Sullys Hill, North Dakota; Mesa Verde, Colorado; and Platt, Oklahoma.<ref>{{ cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/hisnps/npshistory/teddy.htm |title=Theodore Roosevelt and the National Park System |access-date=2013-08-24 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704075805/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/hisnps/npshistory/teddy.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2007 }}</ref>
* In one of a series of acts aimed at regulating the harvesting of Alaskan wildlife, Congress passed "An Act For the protection of game in Alaska, and for other purposes," known as the Alaska Game Act, protecting certain game animals in Alaska.<ref name="memory.loc.gov"/>
* A preservation of remaining buffalo herds was started.<ref>{{ cite book |title=The Progressive Era |url=https://archive.org/details/progressiveera0000jayc |url-access=registration |first=Faith |last=Jaycox |location=New York |publisher=Facts On File |year=2005 |isbn=0-8160-5159-3 }}</ref>
* 18 national monuments were declared during Roosevelt's time in office.<ref>{{Google books |id=mTSIPaCr2DYC |page=444 |title=Modern American Environmentalists: A Biographical Encyclopedia }}</ref>

=== Public projects ===

* The [[Newlands Reclamation Act]] of 1902.
* The [[Kinkaid Act]] of 1904.
* The Forest Homestead Act (1906) allowed the patenting, or deeding, of millions of acres of potential agricultural land within the national forests.<ref>{{Google books |id=Hw1AF2V6f68C |page=130 |title=Crossing the Next Meridian: Land, Water, and the Future of the West }}</ref>
* The Inland Waterways Commission was created (1907) for the purpose of developing a new approach to river development.<ref>{{Google books |id=Q0Kc1MDUvZ4C |page=452 |title=The History of Large Federal Dams: Planning, Design, and Construction in the Era of Big Dams }}</ref>

=== Veterans ===

* The [[U.S. Civil War|Civil War]] program was transformed into a system of old-age pensions for Union veterans. His [[executive order]] of 1904 declared that old age itself constituted a disability: "When a claimant has passed the age of sixty-two years he is disabled one-half in ability to perform manual labor and is entitled to be rated at six dollars a month; after sixty-five years at eight dollars a month; after sixty-eight years at ten dollars a month, and after seventy years at twelve dollars a month." This order provided tens of thousands of Union veterans with non-contributory old-age pensions.<ref>{{Google books |id=mPMJRVEaGqAC |page=19 |title=Closing the Door to Destitution: The Shaping of the Social Security Acts of the United States and New Zealand }}</ref>
* A 1906 statute provided for veterans that "the age of sixty-two years and over shall be considered a permanent specific disability within the meaning of the pension laws."<ref name="Hamowy">{{Google books |id=TSn0SVM3GRcC |page=272 |title=Government and Public Health in America }}</ref>
* In 1907, the pension provisions of the federal government were extended to all Civil War Union veterans, regardless of whether they were disabled.<ref name="Hamowy" />

=== Education ===

* The Adams Act (1906) provided additional funds to states for agricultural research.<ref>{{Google books |id=0Muy9v0PQckC |page=39 |title=An Assessment of the United States Food and Agricultural Research System }}</ref><ref>{{Google books |id=Kjn2k42dTrYC |page=127 |title=The Country in Conflict }}</ref>
* The [[Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching]] was chartered by an Act of Congress (1906).<ref>{{Google books |id=tlFBaKi5c38C |page=51 |title=The Internationalization of Law and Legal Education }}</ref>
* The 1907 Nelson Amendment to the second Morrill Act provided $25,000 annually in order to assist teacher-training courses in the mechanical arts and agriculture.<ref>{{Google books |id=sFFX9OIkF2IC |page=382 |title=Higher Education in the United States: A–L }}</ref>

=== Rural areas ===

* The Rural Free Delivery postal service was made permanent (1902).<ref>{{Google books |id=Sn_90kwmTE8C |page=33 |title=The Birth of Big Business in the United States, 1860–1914: Commercial, Extractive, and Industrial Enterprise }}</ref>
* The Alaska Native Allotment Act (1906) authorized the Secretary of the Interior "to allot individual Alaska Natives a homestead of up to 160 acres of land."<ref>{{Google Books |id=8koDTMQUvAMC |page=7 |title=Alaska native allotments conflicts with utility rightsofway have not been resolved through existing remedies : report to the Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate. }}</ref>
* A Commission on Country Life was established (1908) to investigate ways of making country life more attractive.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

=== Business regulation ===

* The [[Expediting Act]] of 1903.
* The [[Elkins Act]] 1903.
* A Department of Commerce and Labor was set up (1903) to regulate business and enforce economic regulations.<ref>{{Google books |id=Mm3luDg1UjQC |page=55 |title=American History, 1877 to the Present }}</ref>
* The [[Hepburn Act]] of 1906 strengthened the [[Interstate Commerce Commission]]; prior to that, the commission had minimal resources to carry out its duties.
* Under the Immunity of Witnesses Act (1906) corporate officials could no longer make a plea of immunity to avoid testifying in cases which dealt with the illegal activities of their corporations.<ref>{{Google books |id=b14hnvDVrqkC |page=197 |title=The AP United States History }}</ref>
* The [[Aldrich–Vreeland Act]] (1908) introduced government regulation of any issues of "emergency" currency.<ref>{{Google books |id=sO-hNJfNwNcC |page=235 |title=Unsettled Account: The Evolution of Banking in the Industrialized World since 1800 }}</ref>