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Representative Olcott asks President-Elect Taft to consider bringing George B. Francis along with him on his trip to Panama to survey the canal. Francis is a civil engineer who Olcott says possesses great professional ability, and would do the work admirably.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
O. H. P. Cornell presents his credentials as an engineer to President-Elect William H. Taft in a bid to accompany Taft on his tour of the Panama Canal. Cornell has previously been involved in some discussions of the canal building process, and says that that he is free from any prejudice surrounding it. He apologizes for breaking convention and submitting his own name for consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
W. J. Curtis has heard of President-elect Taft’s upcoming trip to examine the Panama Canal, and recommends Hugh L. Cooper as an experienced hydraulic engineer who he feels would be of great service if he were to accompany Taft on this journey. Curtis vouches for both Cooper’s experience and character, and says that if Taft is interested in receiving a second opinion, he believes the Engineering Department of the Army will confirm his view of Cooper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
George W. Davis offers President-elect Taft his opinion regarding several engineers who are candidates to accompany Taft on a trip to inspect the Panama Canal. If a change to the canal plans is required, as Davis suspects it may be, it should be done early enough before public opinion begins to be swayed against the canal by a lack of confidence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-15
Minister to Serbia and Romania Knowles tells President-Elect Taft that the Romanian prime and foreign minister, Dimitrie A. Sturdza, was very pleased to hear of his election. He has asked Knowles to send Taft the enclosed card. Knowles says that both Sturdza and Romanian King Carol I have repeatedly expressed admiration for both Taft and President Roosevelt. Knowles also conveys his own congratulations to Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-10
Frederick L. Chapman, owner and editor of the Home Herald, and his readers commend William H. Taft’s position on the subject of personal temperance. However, the liquor interests claim he is friendly to their cause. Chapman warns that Taft will lose votes if this idea persists. The presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ religious status has become a significant factor in the campaign. As such, Chapman advises Taft to write a letter for publication, as the other candidates have done, stating his beliefs, and suggests a sample statement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
As part of an enclosure, the item heading notes that William H. Taft received the following letter from Secretary of State Elihu Root, who feels Taft’s letter to John Wesley Hill is of sound reason. However, he believes it unwise for Taft to publish any letters regarding his church relations, which are an issue only if Taft makes it so. While Root finds the topic of renominating Governor Charles Evans Hughes difficult, his opinion is that he should be renominated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-24
President Roosevelt confidentially shares with William H. Taft his feelings on the Republican National Committee’s lack of accomplishment. He believes Taft’s idea for making speeches is wise and counsels Taft to actively put himself in the campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-05
As Representative Littlefield understands it, the Republican platform declares against legislation requiring notice and hearing before a temporary restraining order or injunction will be issued. However, William H. Taft’s letter of January 6, 1908, to Llewelyn Lewis, President of the Ohio Federation of Labor, is a declaration in favor of such legislation. Littlefield inquires which of these positions Taft stands by.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-15
Bishop Thomas Augustine Hendrick reminds William H. Taft that he suggested to Taft and President Roosevelt that Governor George Curry be sent to the Philippines as Commissioner at Large. He recently received a letter from Curry stating he would be willing to go to the Philippines in a larger capacity, feeling he could do more there than in his current position. Hendrick agrees with Curry and enthusiastically endorses him. He believes Roosevelt will too, if Taft also favors the appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
David Decamp Thompson encloses correspondence between Wade H. Ellis and Robert H. Patton that he believes potentially puts William H. Taft’s election in jeopardy. Thompson believes that the Republican Party platform endorses personal liberty to the detriment of the temperance movement and prohibition, which he says will greatly hurt Taft’s chances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-10
Ambassador to Austria Charles S. Francis tells Secretary of War Taft about the trouble that the Viennese climate gives his wife, Alice Evans Francis, and asking if there is a chance of being appointed Ambassador to Italy if Taft is elected President. Francis states that he does not expect any assurances, but simply wanted to inform Taft. Regardless of whether he is given preference in this matter, Francis offers Taft his services during the presidential campaign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-19
West Virginia Governor Dawson informs Secretary of War Taft that two men from his state, Generals George W. Curtin and Charles F. Teter, will attend the convention intending to follow their orders to renominate President Roosevelt for the presidency. Dawson discusses several people in the state who might have influence with Curtin and Teter who could convince them to do otherwise.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-26
Frank Ross McCoy updates Secretary of War Taft on his investigation into the Cienfuegos waterworks case. His conclusion is that the opposition to Hugh J. Reilly’s contract on one side, and support on another, is due to political factions fighting for control of the city. He spoke to many people in Cienfuegos who believe that the best way to resolve the conflict is for the central government to do the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-08
Clarence Ransom Edwards relays parts of a report on the water situation in Cienfuegos, Cuba, to Secretary of War Taft. After speaking with representatives of various classes and groups, the conclusion Frank Ross McCoy arrived at was that the central government should take responsibility for the contract to avoid corruption or political infighting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-09
Brigadier General Murray, Chief of Artillery, discusses the urgent need for further fortifications on the West Coast, and the need to increase spending to build them. The fact that the naval fleet will largely be stationed in the Atlantic makes the need for fortifications on the Pacific more necessary. To build them, an additional budget of $1,590,515 is requested. In light of the disparity between the cost estimates and the amount allotted in the fortification bill, Murray recommends Secretary of War Taft decide on a definite policy and encourages Taft to approve the enclosed proposed plan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-27
Arthur I. Vorys tells Secretary of War Taft about a conversation that he had with Edwin M. Lee recently. Lee suggested that Taft should have Edgar D. Crumpacker help Charles W. Miller’s bid to become candidate for Governor of Indiana. Lee also has requested that David E. Harris, a revenue inspector who has been transferred to Pittsburgh, be transferred back to Indiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-26
Admiral George Dewey writes to Secretary of War Taft to report on a meeting of the Joint Board discussing the defenses of Puget Sound. The meeting discussed several alleged deficiencies in the defense that had been raised by United States Representative William E. Humphrey of Washington State. Dewey reviews these charges, as well as general information about Puget Sound and the measures already taken for its defense. The Board concludes that once presently-planned changes to the defenses of Puget Sound are completed, they will be sufficient with assistance from the Navy, but at present they are not sufficient. Dewey outlines several steps that the board recommends.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-20
Admiral Dewey notifies Secretary of War Taft of the resolutions of the Joint Board pertaining to the question of whether the battle fleet should be retained in the Pacific Ocean pending the completion of coastal defenses in the region.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-21
The memorandum to Secretary of War Taft raises the question of how long the battle fleet will stay in the Pacific. The memorandum advocates a permanent naval presence in the region. First, because coastal defenses on the Pacific Coast are not adequate to defend against an attack. Second, because of the location of Hawaii and the Philippines, far from home ports and close to enemy ports. Third, because Hawaii can serve as a strategic naval base and needs battle fleet protection to be effective. Fourth, because the United States lacks adequate land forces to guard the coast. A page of addenda shows Taft acknowledging the memo and wishing to confer with President Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s subsequent assessment that he will consider the Joint Army and Navy Board’s opinion on the matter, but does not wish to divide the battle fleet between two oceans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-07