William Howard Taft

Birth-Death: (1857 - 1930 ) Term: (1909-1913 )

President Taft continued Roosevelt's strict enforcement of the anti-trust laws. Although Taft was also elected on conservation and lower tariffs, he did not focus on these two as much as the anti-trust laws.

Domestic Events of William Taft

    William Howard Taft was elected in 1909 mainly because of Rooseveltıs support. Roosevelt decided early on not to run for a third term and, in 1909, campaigned for Taft on a platform of conservation, enforcement of the anti-trust law, and reduction of the tariff.

    Taft easily won over William Jennings Bryan as the Republicans retained majorities in both houses of Congress. However, as the new president began to work, many controversies erupted. A lower tariff was proposed by Representative Payne, however it was revised many times in the Senate and the end the tariff increased many of the rates. However, President Taft did not veto the tariff, but rather signed it and praised it as one of the best tariffs passed by the Republicans.

    With all the controversies, however, Taft continued breaking up trusts. The Mann-Elkins Act passed in 1910 increased the power of the ICC. It gave it the right to prevent new rates even when challenged in courts. Overall, he initiated more than 90 anti-trust suits in the four years that he was in office. In contrast, Roosevelt only initiated 36 suits.

William Howard Taft

Birth-Death: (1857 - 1930 ) Term: (1909-1913 )

President Taft continued Roosevelt's strict enforcement of the anti-trust laws. Although Taft was also elected on conservation and lower tariffs, he did not focus on these two as much as the anti-trust laws.

Domestic Events of William Taft

    William Howard Taft was elected in 1909 mainly because of Rooseveltıs support. Roosevelt decided early on not to run for a third term and, in 1909, campaigned for Taft on a platform of conservation, enforcement of the anti-trust law, and reduction of the tariff.

    Taft easily won over William Jennings Bryan as the Republicans retained majorities in both houses of Congress. However, as the new president began to work, many controversies erupted. A lower tariff was proposed by Representative Payne, however it was revised many times in the Senate and the end the tariff increased many of the rates. However, President Taft did not veto the tariff, but rather signed it and praised it as one of the best tariffs passed by the Republicans.

    With all the controversies, however, Taft continued breaking up trusts. The Mann-Elkins Act passed in 1910 increased the power of the ICC. It gave it the right to prevent new rates even when challenged in courts. Overall, he initiated more than 90 anti-trust suits in the four years that he was in office. In contrast, Roosevelt only initiated 36 suits.