Industrial Commission facts for kids

The Industrial Commission was a special group set up by the United States government from 1898 to 1902. President William McKinley created this group. Their job was to study big issues like how much railroads charged, how large companies were getting, and how new people coming to the country affected jobs. They then gave advice to the President and Congress.

McKinley and the Commission started an important time called the 'trust-busting' era. This meant breaking up very large companies, called 'trusts,' that had too much power. The Commission included important people like Andrew L. Harris, who was a Governor of Ohio and a Civil War General. He led the group looking into farming. Many important Senators and Congressmen were also part of the Commission.

After President McKinley was sadly killed in 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt took over. He listened to the advice from the Commission. Roosevelt then made even more rules for these big trusts. He became known as the nation's toughest 'trust-buster' because he worked hard to make sure no single company had too much control.

What Was the Industrial Commission?

The Industrial Commission was a temporary group. It was formed by the United States government in 1898. Its main goal was to look into big economic problems. These problems were happening across the country at the time. The Commission worked for about four years, until 1902.

Why Was the Commission Created?

President William McKinley decided to create this Commission. He saw that the country was changing fast. There were new challenges with businesses and workers. He wanted a special group to study these issues carefully. The Commission's findings would help the government make better laws.

Key Problems the Commission Studied

The Commission focused on several important areas:

• Railroad Prices: They looked at how much railroads charged to move goods and people. Sometimes, these prices seemed unfair.
• Big Companies: They investigated how powerful some very large companies, called 'trusts,' had become. These trusts often controlled entire industries.
• Immigration and Jobs: They studied how new immigrants coming to the country affected the job market. They wanted to understand if there were enough jobs for everyone.

The 'Trust-Busting' Era Begins

One of the biggest impacts of the Industrial Commission was its role in starting the 'trust-busting' era.

What is a 'Trust'?

In the late 1800s, a 'trust' was a way for several large companies in the same industry to work together. They would often control most of the business. This meant they could set high prices and stop smaller companies from competing. People worried these trusts had too much power.

McKinley's Role in Trust-Busting

President McKinley and the Commission believed these trusts needed to be controlled. They felt that too much power in one company's hands was bad for fairness. Their work helped to shine a light on these issues. This led to new ideas about how the government should regulate big businesses.

Theodore Roosevelt and the Commission's Legacy

The work of the Industrial Commission continued to be important even after McKinley's death.

Roosevelt Becomes President

In 1901, President McKinley was sadly killed. His Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt, became the new President. Roosevelt was a strong leader. He was very interested in making sure businesses were fair.

Acting on the Commission's Advice

Roosevelt paid close attention to the findings and recommendations of the Industrial Commission. He agreed that big trusts needed to be regulated. He took even stronger actions than McKinley. Roosevelt used the government's power to break up trusts that he felt were unfair. This earned him the nickname "the toughest trust-buster."

Important Members of the Commission

The Industrial Commission was made up of many influential people. They came from different areas of public life.

Andrew L. Harris

One notable member was Andrew L. Harris. He was a former Governor of Ohio. He had also been a General during the American Civil War. Harris led the subcommittee that focused on agriculture. This shows that the Commission looked at many different parts of the economy.

Senators and Congressmen

The Commission also included important members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Having lawmakers on the Commission helped ensure that their recommendations would be taken seriously by Congress.

Why the Commission Was Important

The Industrial Commission played a key role in shaping how the United States government dealt with big businesses. Its work helped set the stage for more government oversight. This was a big step towards ensuring fair competition and protecting consumers. The Commission's findings helped lead to laws that are still important today.