An Accurate Depiction of the Meatpacking Industry that Prompted a Response from President Theodore Roosevelt
After reading “The Jungle”, President Theodore Roosevelt was appalled by the unsanitary conditions of the meatpacking industry and the exploitation of its employees. In response, he ordered an investigation of the Chicago factory in order to discover the reality of the situation. Donna Wood states, 1 When an investigation ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt confirmed the accuracy of Sinclair’s account of filthy conditions and moral depravity, the Meat Inspection Act raced through Congress and became law on 30 June. 1 The federal law regulating the contents and labeling of food, drugs, and beverages became law on the same day. Upon confirming this horrible reality, President Theodore Roosevelt absolutely had to act and attend to the interests of businesses, and its consumers. It is clear that the experience of public outrage from this exposure was necessary to secure the passage of legislation insofar as our representative democracy has to follow the will of the people.
1 Wood, Donna. “The Strategic Use of Public Policy: Business Support for the 1906 Food and Drug Act” Business History Review; Boston Vol. 59, Iss. 3, (Fall 1985): 403.
2 H.O White Company. “265 Splitting backbones and final inspection - hogs ready for cooler” Swift & Co., Chicago, USA. Copyright 1906