Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore P. Shonts
Subject(s): Coal miners, Coal trade, Executive power, Industrial relations, Isthmian Canal Commission (U.S.), Public opinion, Robbins, Francis L. (Francis LeBaron), 1855-1911, United States. Congress
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President Roosevelt agrees with Theodore P. Shonts, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, that it would be a good time to take action now if he could, but says that he currently holds no power over the matter other than public opinion, which at this point is not interested in the issue. The commission that the coal operators have requested he establish is not something he can do on his own, but would require an act of Congress to create. Even if he could, the coal miners have not asked for it, which would give Roosevelt pause. Altogether, he does not feel that he can act at this time, but will continue to watch how the situation develops.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-03-31
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
1
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore P. Shonts. [March 31, 1906]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o195073. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore P. Shonts. [31 Mar. 1906]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 16, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o195073.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1906, March 31]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore P. Shonts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o195073.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 16, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
