Theodore Roosevelt & the Railroad Companies
The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was created in 1887 by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The Interstate Commerce Commission was to regulate the railroads to make sure their rates are fair and there was no discrimination. Congress never gave the ICC much power, but the ICC and railroad companies slowly became a monopoly. In the early 1900's Congress passed the Elkins Act in 1903. The Elkins Act's purpose was to fine all railroads that gave rebates and the people who accepted these rebates. Then the Hepburn Act was passed and it restricted free passes of railroads.