La Follette Seaman’s Act

United States history

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June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The La Follette Seaman's Act of 1915 was a significant piece of U.S. legislation championed by Senator Robert M. La Follette. This act aimed to improve the working and living conditions for sailors. It mandated better safety measures, increased the proportion of able-bodied seamen on vessels, and regulated the quality of food and accommodations for the crew.1

The act was part of La Follette's broader progressive agenda, which focused on reform and regulation to protect workers and consumers from the unchecked power of corporations. By enhancing maritime safety and sailor welfare, the act reflected a commitment to social justice and improved labor standards within the shipping industry.1

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Robert M. La Follette
United States senator
…his most famous achievement, the La Follette Seaman’s Act of 1915, would increase the safety of passengers while it also improved working conditions for sailors. Beginning in 1908, with elaborate documentation during debate on the Aldrich-Vreeland Currency Act, La Follette argued that the nation’s entire economy was dominated by fewer…
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…his most famous achievement, the La Follette Seaman’s Act of 1915, would increase the safety of passengers while it also improved working conditions for sailors. Beginning in 1908, with elaborate documentation during debate on the Aldrich-Vreeland Currency Act, La Follette argued that the nation’s entire economy was dominated by fewer…
Read More