Among other policies, his administration created a centralized Department of Public Assistance, eliminated the private police forces operated by several coal and steel companies, began construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, instituted Pennsylvania's first gasoline and cigarette tax, and established a forty-hour work week.

After the United States entered World War I, Earle commanded USS Victor, a submarine chaser which was also his private yacht.

[7] An ardent Roosevelt admirer, Earle rolled out an ambitious "Little New Deal", which resulted in the introduction of a record 3514 bills during the 1935-36 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

His administration created a centralized Department of Public Assistance that was designed to ensure uniform allocation of relief payments.

Earle's government also sought to ameliorate ongoing labor strife by increasing union bargaining rights and eliminating the private police forces operated by many of the influential coal and steel companies.

Other bills passed include Pennsylvania's first gasoline and cigarette tax, teacher tenure, and a maximum forty-hour work week.

[7] However, Earle also became known for his mercurial temperament and his administration was plagued by high-profile corruption charges involving his top officials.

Earle's poor relationship with the state's judicial hierarchy resulted in one of his central policy goals, the imposition of a graduated income tax, being declared unconstitutional.

[8] Earle, who was constitutionally ineligible to run for a second consecutive term as governor, ran for the Senate in 1938, but lost to incumbent Republican James J.

[9] During World War II, he served again in the United States Navy, this time as a lieutenant commander and as a special emissary to the Balkans.

When Earle formally requested permission to publish his findings, the President gave him a written order to desist.