Dept. set up during populism to be sure railroads were being fair- weak with very little power until roosevelt strengthened it with the federal trade commission

Roosevelt leadership to Congress  made the Federal Trade Commission, whose purpose was to prevent “unfair methods of competition” by businesses operating interstate commerce. The Clayton Antitrust Act elaborated the scope of the Sherman Antitrust Act to cap such things as interlocking directorates (boards of directors having members in common), price discrimination among buyers, use of court injunctions in labor disputes and multiple ownership by one corporation of stocks in similar enterprises. Improved measures reinforced by President Roosevelt included the Seamen’s Act of 1915, which was meant to secure the safety and security of American merchant sailors. The Federal Workingmen’s Compensation Act of 1916 provided allowances for civil service workers for disabilities sustained on the job. It was the pioneer of later disability insurance programs. The Adamson Act of 1916 called for an eight-hour day for railroad workers, with extra pay for overtime. It was the first law that permitted the federal government to regulate the working hours of private companies. Wilson’s progressive programs contributed to his election victory in 1916 and strengthened his support within his own party.But the First World War, which began in 1914, soon needed Roosevelt's full attention and began to distract him from his forward looking program.