Letter to Interstate Commerce Commission
Subject(s): African Americans--Legal status, laws, etc., Alabama, Race relations, Racism, Railroads, Transportation and state
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The author of this letter has received complaints from several southern people of color that they are not receiving the accommodations they are entitled to during travel on the railroads. The Interstate Commerce Commission has previously ruled that there is nothing in the laws of states that prohibits separate accommodations so long as they are exactly equal, but the complaints frequently state that these separate cars are frequently dirtier, lacking amenities, and are more difficult to access. The author asks the commission to investigate these claims and make the necessary changes to ensure equal treatment. Appended pages at the end suggest adding a paragraph to the letter pointing out that while the commission has worked to make sure there is no discrimination in the transportation of freight, it should be even more careful in preventing discrimination in the transportation of passengers.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-03-25
Creator(s)
Recipient
United States. Interstate Commerce Commission
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Page Count
5
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 to Interstate Commerce Commission. [March 25, 1908]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299286. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Unknown. Letter to Interstate Commerce Commission. [25 Mar. 1908]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 1, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299286.
APA:
Unknown.: , [1908, March 25]. Letter to Interstate Commerce Commission. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299286.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. 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 Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 1, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
