Letter from John Revelstoke Rathom to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Bacon, E. P. (Edward Payson), 1834-1916, Business enterprises, Illinois--Chicago, Knox, Philander C. (Philander Chase), 1853-1921, Presidents--Press coverage, Press and politics, Public opinion, Railroads and state, Railroads--Freight--Rates--Law and legislation, United States. Interstate Commerce Commission
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John Revelstoke Rathom responds to President Roosevelt’s recent request for a statement regarding the sentiments “for and against the making of railroad rates through Governmental agency.” Rathom acknowledges his own stance in favor of the railroads but assures Roosevelt that the words presented are a true statement in regard to “a side of this great subject that I do not believe has yet been adequately presented.” Rathom highlights the circumstances surrounding the “Bacon Convention” in Chicago led by E. P. Bacon in showing that the business community, although not necessarily friends of the railroads, are largely against the principle of governmental regulation.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1905-11-14
Creator(s)
Rathom, John Revelstoke, 1868-1923
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
21
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 John Revelstoke Rathom to Theodore Roosevelt. [November 14, 1905]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51799. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Rathom, John Revelstoke, 1868-1923. Letter from John Revelstoke Rathom to Theodore Roosevelt. [14 Nov. 1905]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 22, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51799.
APA:
Rathom, John Revelstoke, 1868-1923., [1905, November 14]. Letter from John Revelstoke Rathom to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o51799.
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 22, 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.
