Carnegie ran most of the steel industry which was one of the U.S main source of traveling and income. With the railroads being one of the most essential use in America. Also with railroads being built all over America, the railroads needed to be built to travel all of its goods from all over the United States. So with Carnegie controlling all of the railroad controlling the railroads he was able to charge his workers whatever he wanted and higher who ever he wanted. Many factories that help create all those products were done by children and the conditions were brutal and low pay. The workers were treated like slaves. The businessmen were pretty much calling the shots for Capitol Hill, and with all of their power they have in the government they could maneuver around the laws. Thats why it was called Gilded, gilding something means covering it up with gold. It looked nice on the outside but it was ugly and crude on the