The Twenties :: essays research papers

Area One-Politics and Govern handst-The Harding Scandals and the Bonus Bill nixThe presidency of Harding was filled with continuous turd. Many compare the Harding to Grant has both being postwar presidents marked by indignations and corruption. Having appointed several sharp officials, Harding also appointed a number of incompetent and dishonest men to fill important positions, including the Secretary of Interior, Albert B. Fall and Attorney General chivy M. Daugherty.The Secretary of Interior, Albert B. Fall, in 1921, secured the transfer of several naval oil militia to his jurisdiction. In 1922, Fall secretly leased reserves at Teapot bean plant in Wyoming to Harry F. Sinclair of Monmouth Oil and at Elk Hills in atomic number 20 to Edward Doheny of Pan-American Petroleum. A Senate investigation later revealed that Sinclair had given Fall $305,000 in currency and bonds and a herd of cattle, while Doheny had given him a $100,000 unsecured loans. Sinclair and Doheny were cl ear in 1927 of charges of defrauding the government, but in 1929 Fall was convicted, fined, and imprisoned for bribery.Another scandal involved Charles R. Forbes, appointed by Harding to head the new Veterans Bureau. He seemed energetic and efficient in operating the new hospitals and operate for veterans. It was later estimated that he had stolen or squandered about $250 million in Bureau funds.Scandal also tainted Attorney General Daugherty who, finished his intimate friend Jessie Smith, took bribes from bootleggers, income tax evaders, and others in return for protection from prosecution. When the scandal became to come to light, Smith committed suicide in Daughertys majuscule apartment in May 1923. There was also evidence that Daugherty true money for using his influence in returning the American metallic element Company, seized by the government during the war, to its German owners.Area Two-Economics-Prosperity and InnovationThough boilers suit the economy was strong betwe en 1922 and 1929, certain segments of the economy, especially agriculture, did not parting in the nations general prosperity. Improved industrial efficiency, which resulted in lower prices for goods, was primarily responsible. Manufacturing output increase about 65%, and productivity, or output per hour increased by about 45%. The numbers racket of industrial workers actually decreased from 9 million to 8.8 million during the decade. The increased productivity resulted from improved machinery, which in turn came about for several reasons. exertion changed from steam to electric power, allowing the design of more intricate machines and replaced the work of mankind hands. By 1929, 70% of industrial power came from electricity.