The Hepburn Act
Also known as the Railway Regulation Act of 1906. It was a significant legislative achievement of the Progressive Era. It was the first time in American history where the president stepped in and used the power of the federal government to control and regulate the day-to-day activity of a privately owned business.
It strengthened the Elkins Act and the Interstate Commerce Commission giving them the authority to regulate railroad rates, accounting practices and annual reports.
The act was a response to public demand for the national regulation of interstate railroad rates and was strongly supported by TR. It served to become the model he used in his efforts to regulate other businesses.
