Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to T. Harvey Ferris
Subject(s): Federal government, New York (State), State governments, Water resources development, Water rights, Water-power--Planning
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At Senator Ferris’ request, Theodore Roosevelt lays out tentative suggestions for developing waterpower within New York state. Any such plan needs to be comprehensive and definite to prevent monopoly, ensure reasonable consumer rates, and provide for prompt, orderly development. He prefers a private development system and leasing water rights rather than government ownership. However, such a plan is not usually feasible. Therefore, it would be wise for the state to construct, own, and maintain the necessary dams and storage reservoirs. Waterpower development should be for the common good, not for the interest of a few, and it is only possible through cooperation between the state and federal governments.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-11-21
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
Progressive Party Candidate (1911-1912)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
6
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-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 T. Harvey Ferris. [November 21, 1911]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o221221. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to T. Harvey Ferris. [21 Nov. 1911]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 6, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o221221.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1911, November 21]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to T. Harvey Ferris.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o221221.
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. March 6, 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.
