Your TR Source
President Roosevelt has concluded that it would not be helpful to go on the stump. He is alarmed by Representative Burton’s comments about his immediate area, but agrees on the greater campaign outlook.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-06
William Loeb returns to Representative Burton a clean, signed copy of the letter Burton drafted for President Roosevelt’s signature. Loeb describes additional edits made to the letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
President Roosevelt initially finds it hard to advise Representative Burton on whether he should campaign for mayor of Cleveland. As a representative, Burton’s knowledge and leadership are difficult to replace. However, these same qualities make him an ideal public servant, especially when “our democratic system has come nearest to breaking down in our cities.” Roosevelt, therefore, advises Burton to campaign for the mayoralty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-30
President Roosevelt is unsure if he will call the convention Representative Burton references. Before doing so, he wants clarification from Burton and Gifford Pinchot about the Mississippi movement. Roosevelt asks Burton to send the advice concerning Roosevelt’s speeches in St. Louis and Memphis on his upcoming Mississippi trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-21
William Loeb explains to Representative Burton that the White House’s limited capacity makes it necessary to distribute invitations among the four planned receptions. He will add the suggested individuals to the reception on January 31.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-31
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Gifford Pinchot, chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Roosevelt agrees with Pinchot’s letter, and trusts that it will meet with Representative Burton’s approval.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-16
As a result of a Declaration accepted at the recent Conference of Governors, President Roosevelt announces the formation of the Commission on the Conservation of Natural Resources, to which he appoints Theodore E. Burton. Roosevelt describes the makeup of the commission and names other members. The commission will be divided into four sections to focus on water, forest, land, and mineral resources, and it will facilitate cooperation between federal and state governments, as well as between the four sections.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-08
President Roosevelt outlines the creation and mission of the Inland Waterways Commission, and praises Chairman Burton for the work it has done so far. Roosevelt hopes that the Commission’s recommendations will be enacted by Congress soon, and directs the Commission to continue its work pending further action. He announces his plans to increase the Commission from nine members to twelve, and through executive order will direct executive departments to allow the Commission access to their records.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-05
President Roosevelt thanks Representative Burton for writing about the chances of the Inland Waterways Commission bill and appreciates the work he is doing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-22
President Roosevelt returns the draft of Representative Burton’s letter and will trust his judgment. He asks Burton to be sure that the appropriation is put in some bill, as it would be humiliating should the bill pass looking like a sham.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-19
President Roosevelt takes issue with the current wording of a bill to provide funds to the Inland Waterways Commission. He impresses upon Congressman Burton the importance of passing a bill that will properly appropriate funds to the commission in order to allow it to do its work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-18
President Roosevelt does not understand why Congress has not yet passed the bill to continue the Inland Waterways Commission. He encloses for Representative Burton a copy of the measure that Gifford Pinchot says has been amended by his suggestion. Roosevelt would like to continue the commission as it is, and states that failure to act will be “inexcusable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-13
President Roosevelt sends Representative Burton the text of an amendment for the Snake River project submitted by Representative Wesley Livsey Jones and Senator Samuel H. Piles. The amendment grants the Secretary of War oversight and authority in the construction, administration, and management of the Benton Water Company and the dam that will be constructed on the Snake River. Roosevelt believes the bill can pass with this amendment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-02
President Roosevelt encloses a copy of a letter submitted by the Inland Waterways Commission. He wishes that bills could be modified in the direction outlined in the letter, although due to the sums of money involved in the changes, careful action must be taken.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-21
There has been discussion about action the administration should take regarding several power projects. President Roosevelt has learned that members of the Inland Waterways Commission have been appointed to a Committee on Water Power. He asks Representative Burton to ask the committee to submit their views on three bills by Monday of next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-11
President Roosevelt sends Representative Burton a report from the War Department concerning water power. He would like to have the views of the Inland Waterways Commission on the report by April 1.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-18
President Roosevelt informs Representative Burton, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Commission, that he will not sign any bills that do not guard the interest of the public in dispensing water rights. He has requested that Secretary of War William H. Taft and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte prepare statements and will submit them to the Commission once he receives them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-16
President Roosevelt provides a number of details that he would like Representative Burton to bring to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors as they discuss the possibility of turning Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into a fortified naval station. Roosevelt believes that constructing a naval base at Pearl Harbor is needed, as it would protect Hawaii and the Pacific Coast of the United States, as well as the other possessions of the United States in the Pacific. He mentions the construction that would have to take place in order to fortify Pearl Harbor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-21
President Roosevelt invites Representative Burton to a conference on conservation scheduled for May 13-15, 1908. He has also invited state and territorial governors and the other members of the Inland Waterways Commission. He hopes Burton can attend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-13
Theodore Roosevelt contacts Theodore E. Burton about the Inland Waterways Commission. He and wants to nominate “a good Buffalo man” and for Edward Hubert Butler to be added to the commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-20