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George W. Goethals quotes a portion of the minutes from the Isthmian Canal Commission meeting resolving that the width of the locks be increased from 100 to 110 feet in accordance with any reasonable future requirements of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-11
Charles P. Taft warns Secretary of War William H. Taft that Ohio Revenue Collector Bernhard Bettmann’s office is full of “Foraker people” who work against him, alongside three or four Taft supporters. They plan to get up rump conventions in order to have two sets of delegates in certain districts, including the sixth. Charles P. Taft told his informant to lay the issue before Commissioner Arthur I. Vorys, but they must make it known the Federal offices will not line up on Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker’s side.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-24
Senator Warren, chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, requests Secretary of War Taft to provide the committee with information about the bullets used for Springfield rifles. The committee wants to know if the government performs chemical analyses of bullets or materials to create bullets sold to the government, if the Union Metallic Cartridge Company preserves records of their chemical analyses, and if he has any information on the ingredients and percentages of materials used to fabricate bullets from manufacturers other than the government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-10
Commissioner of the Interior for Puerto Rico Grahame informs Secretary of War Taft that the general consensus in Puerto Rico is that Governor Regis Henri Post would not be confirmed for another year as governor. Grahame puts his name forward for consideration should Post not be reconfirmed and asks that Taft recommend him as well to President Roosevelt. Grahame confirms that this letter and a similar one he sent to Roosevelt are the only steps he has taken on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-18
Governor-General of the Philippines Smith provides his analysis of the upcoming formal establishment of the Philippine Assembly to Secretary of War Taft. This includes a brief description of the history and political affiliations of the country’s governors, the party leanings of each province, and the number of votes for each party from the most recent election. Smith also reflects on how the United States can improve upon Spain to ensure better relations with the Philippines. Smith considers self-government to be the ultimate goal of American involvement in the Philippines, but cautions that granting independence too quickly could leave the country vulnerable to dictatorships or foreign invasion. Smith ends the letter with a report on the status of various government projects across the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-07
Acting Secretary of State Bacon passes along a message from German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg. German Emperor William II has gifted two busts to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York which are currently being held by the Department of State.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-25
Commissary General Sharpe sends Secretary of War Taft his recommendations for organization, recruitment, and promotion in the United States Army Supply Department, based on his studies of the British, French, and German armies and their supply networks. Sharpe suggests combining a number of departments into a new Supply Department and establishing new regulations for officer promotions. He also encourages the Transportation Department to establish depots of supplies throughout the country that could be quickly mobilized in times of need. Sharpe provides Taft with a list of changes he, as Secretary of War, could implement by his own directive, as well as those requiring approval from Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-26
Japanese Ambassador Chinda sends Secretary of War Taft a copy of Taft’s interview with Japanese Prime Minister Kinmochi Saionji.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-01
Arthur I. Vorys congratulates Secretary of War Taft on receiving the endorsement of the Ohio Republican State Central Committee for nomination for president in the upcoming election, and includes the text of the resolution. The resolution also affirms support for Senator Joseph Benson Foraker and Representative Charles Dick in their present positions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-30
Postmaster General Meyer reports to Secretary of War Taft that Assistant Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock has expressed his loyalty to President Roosevelt, assuring Meyer that he will act as Roosevelt instructs. Meyer comments, regarding a nomination to the postmastership of Spencerville, Ohio, that he has directed Hitchcock to seek input from Arthur I. Vorys. Hitchcock believes that Vorys is ill disposed toward him because he had been mentioned in the press “as a probable Taft manager.” Meyer is writing to Roosevelt, as well, and will urge him to talk to Hitchcock himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-21
Frank W. Clancy urges Secretary of War Taft to do what he can to have William M. Tipton appointed Secretary of the Territory of New Mexico. Tipton is deserving of the position, should it become open.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-23
Arthur I. Vorys assures Secretary of War Taft that he does not support a move to make Taft’s nomination for president dependent on the nomination of Joseph Benson Foraker for senate in Ohio. However, Vorys cannot guarantee that such a resolution may not be put forward by the state committee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-24
Admiral George Dewey reports to Secretary of War Taft on a meeting of the Joint Board regarding the steps the United States should take in the event of a war between the United States and Japan becoming imminent. Because of the strength of Japan in the Pacific Ocean, the United States would have to be on the defensive there until reinforcements could be sent from the Atlantic. The Board recommends specific actions the United States should take immediately, moving coal, equipment, and forces to the Philippines, to be better prepared.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-18
Senator Cocks informs Secretary of War Taft about the state of politics in New York. He spoke with New York Governor Hughes about the tension over the appointment of Frederick C. Stevens to Superintendent of Public Works. Cocks saw former Superintendent Nicholas V. V. Franchot on the train recently, and discussed the matter with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-05
Asa Bird Gardiner introduces the letter bearer, Samuel A. Russel, a Civil War veteran and military career man, to Secretary of War Taft. Gardiner speaks highly of Russel’s reputation and character, and asks that he be restored to his rank and granted military retirement. Gardiner feels that Russel was wrongly discharged from service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-08
In this open letter to Secretary of War Taft, General Nettleton defends President Roosevelt’s actions in discharging the soldiers in Brownsville “without honor.” Nettleton, commenting from Brownsville, alleges that there has been well attested evidence for the guilt of the African American troops, and that their actions constitute a conspiracy against the town. He opines that even if not every solider participated in the action, their unwillingness to identify who did has made every soldier culpable. Dismissal from the army is not punishment enough for their actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-29
Senator Dubois feels that Secretary of War Taft has been “grossly deceived” in regard to conditions in Idaho and Utah and suggests that Taft talk to his cousin, Albert Thorpe Ryan, for more details about the existing conditions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-30
Provisional Governor of Cuba Magoon has transmitted the president’s message of sympathy to the press. He gives the number of fatalities from a storm in Cuba, which was not as damaging as first reported. The Cuban people are meeting the emergency with effective energy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-22
Governor Magoon delivers an update on the occupation of Cuba. He discusses the progress of the insurgent forces, and the yellow fever situation is also improving. He is also working with liberal leaders to remove leftover leaders and electing municipal governments. He ends the telegram with an update on the payment of soldiers’ salaries and other expenses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-15
Maurice Latta informs Secretary of War Taft that his dispatches of the day were forwarded to President Roosevelt, who sent the included message before receiving Taft’s last communication and proclamation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-28