About time to stir it up, Theodore!

President Roosevelt uses his “big stick” to stir up the “Panama Canal” pot that has “friction” and “discord” steam coming out of it.

comments and context

Comments and Context

It is a testament to Theodore Roosevelt’s management skills that history largely has forgotten the uneven start to the Panama Canal construction. “I took the isthmus…” Congress debated him instead of Canal routes, yellow fever and malaria were beaten, names like William Crawford Gorgas and George W. Goethals are honored; the Canal, a modern miracle that the French could not build, was finished ahead of schedule and under budget. Such are the bare facts and legends surrounding the Canal.

However there were “fits and starts,” including the study (and recalibration) of routes and choices between “sea level” and lock systems, management friction that led to leadership changes, and even diplomatic challenges over the home countries and welfare of contract labor from around the world. Even at home, there were interests like railroad trusts that never were hearty supporters of a transoceanic canal.

Nevertheless Roosevelt saw it through; he kept an eye on all details but always delegated wisely. His landmark trip to the Canal Zone (the first presidential foray outside the United States) was to stir the pot as much as proudly survey the work.

At first glance a reader might think J. H. Donahey’s clever drawing might be critical of Roosevelt “stirring the pot”; that is, stirring up trouble. But Donahey’s caption confirms that the cartoon was meant to encourage and endorse the president’s releasing of discord and friction between crews in the Canal Zone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-29

Creator(s)

Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Page Count

1

Production Method

Printed

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation