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President Roosevelt will wait until he receives the next bill draft from Seth Low and then consult with the Department of Justice about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-02
After speaking with Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte about Seth Low’s letter, President Roosevelt informs Low that even if it were passed by Congress, he cannot sign the bill as certain parties are advocating. The Department of Justice believes that Standard Oil is attempting to delay lawsuits in hopes that a measure like that bill will pass. Roosevelt has sent copies of his correspondence with Low to president-elect William H. Taft for reference if the question comes up during his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-24
President Roosevelt received Seth Low’s letter this morning, just after he had already sent him a letter. Low’s last letter expresses Roosevelt’s views exactly. Roosevelt believes that national incorporation is the correct solution, but Judge Walter Chadwick Noyes’s solution is also a good one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-24
President Roosevelt rejects Seth Low’s proposition to simply insert the word “unreasonable” and put in an amnesty clause. He worries that this would represent a backwards step in the supervision and control of corporations. However, Roosevelt would support a provision that gives the Interstate Commerce Commission control of common carriers and allows the Commission to approve of consolidations and traffic agreements.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-21
President Roosevelt thanks Seth Low for the telegram. He is pleased with the election results.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-04
President Roosevelt introduces Charles S. Heney, who was in charge of building the library at Sagamore Hill, to Seth Low. Heney is a good craftsman with a large family, and Roosevelt would like Low to help with his application to be Clerk of Works on the Union Theological building.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-31
President Roosevelt discusses the election prospects in Ohio and New York with Seth Low. He believes that William H. Taft and Charles Evans Hughes will win heavily in New York, but thinks that Ohio is the most doubtful state. When the election is over, Roosevelt would like to discuss his message about labor and corporations with Low.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-24
President Roosevelt will show Seth Low’s letter to Secretary of War William H. Taft, and he is sure Taft will be pleased. Roosevelt expects to read about Low’s work in the campaign after October 1. He is glad that John Mitchell took a position offered by the National Civic Federation to act as a mediator in labor issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-27
President Roosevelt is pleased that Seth Low has gotten into touch with Reuben D. Silliman, and is glad to hear what the proposals are.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-10
President Roosevelt supports putting both planks Seth Low mentioned into the party platform, but does not know if it is possible. He will ask the Bureau of Corporations to carry out the investigation Low recommended.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-29
President Roosevelt would regret postponement of the bill and thinks Congress should pass the bill in this session.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-21
President Roosevelt believes that passing the corporations bill along the Stetson-Morawetz line “would be worse than passing nothing.” While granting improper favors to both the corporations and the labor men might be beneficial for the moment, long term it would be politically ruinous and be a huge setback in the movement for corporation control. He asks Seth Low to get Frank B. Kellogg of Minnesota to fight hard for the bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-09
President Roosevelt tells Seth Low that he wishes to strengthen the power of the executive branch to handle business matters like those that Low refers to, as he does not wish to allow the “chaos and inefficiency” of using the courts to administer such a law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-28
President Roosevelt addresses the current state of legislation in Congress regarding federal oversight of combinations. He informs Seth Low that he would be forced to veto certain measures brought forth by Congressmen who have been speaking with Victor Morawetz, who is counsel for J. P. Morgan. If necessary, Roosevelt will make his views clear in a message to Congress. Although some of the proposed work could be done by the courts, Roosevelt cites the work of the Interstate Commerce Commission as an illustration of why supervisory power should lie with the executive branch.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-01
President Roosevelt tells Seth Low that he approves of a rider, assuming it is not meant to touch on the matter of boycotts. He will look forward to seeing Low on Tuesday, if Low wishes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-16
President Roosevelt looks forward to receiving The Journal of Latrobe. He liked Seth Low’s article on national control of interstate railways. Roosevelt is glad he does not have to take a stand on fusion, even though Low presents a strong case. However, Roosevelt will inevitably have to look into the matter, a prospect that makes him melancholic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-15
President Roosevelt writes to Seth Low that he believes the Sherman law should be modified to permit business combination when the combination is not against the interests of the people. Roosevelt thanks Low for his comments about Roosevelt’s speeches and for his thoughts on the present situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-30
Although retiring New York postmaster William R. Willcox thinks highly of Edward M. Morgan, President Roosevelt ponders whether they can find a better man for the job.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-11
President Roosevelt notifies Seth Low that he is appointed a trustee of the Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Peace, representing the general public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-14
President Roosevelt responds to concerns expressed to Seth Low about candidates for a judgeship. Roosevelt is considering three Republicans for the position. Regarding at least one of the candidates, if the man who wrote Low were a Democrat, Roosevelt says he would be “whooping with ecstasy over his manifest virtues.” Roosevelt only consulted Booker T. Washington in Alabama when he was appointing a Democrat to a judgeship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-18