On a sweltering July 19, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Attorney General George Wickersham made a shocking speech that would send shockwaves through the nation’s corridors of power. As the chief guest at the Minnesota State Fair, Wickersham’s words were laced with conviction, but also a hint of recklessness. In a bold move, he declared that a government commission to regulate great industrial organizations was not only desirable but perhaps even necessary. This was no ordinary statement – it was a call to arms, a challenge to the established order that had long been dominated by corporate interests. The interstate commerce commission, which regulated railroads, was the model Wickersham cited as the standard for this new commission. He implied that the law of supply and demand, which had long been the guiding principle of the free market, was being ignored. The implications were staggering – a government-commissioned body to regulate the behemoths of industry, to tame their excesses and bring them to heel. It was a radical idea, one that would have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s economy and social fabric. Wickersham’s words were met with a mixture of awe and trepidation, as those in attendance struggled to comprehend the magnitude of his proposal. Little did they know that this speech would mark a turning point in the nation’s history, a moment when the balance of power began to shift irrevocably. Tomorrow, Wickersham would leave Minneapolis behind, bound for Hancock, Michigan, where he would continue to push the boundaries of what was thought possible. But for now, his words hung in the air, a challenge to the status quo that would not be easily forgotten.
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Key Facts
- State: National
- Category: Public Corruption
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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