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William Loeb forwards a request from Abby Gunn Baker. He has directed Baker to call Rudolph Forster to arrange for the photographs she wants of the White House.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Navy Department Chief of the Bureau of Equipment Cowles outlines the situation regarding the transfer of coal for Senator Lodge. The Navy Department used to accept coal shipments from American vessels to Pacific ports under the coastwise shipping laws, but it was unsustainable due to rates and foreign markets. In response to the issue, the Judge Advocate General of the Navy Edward Hale Campbell ruled that President Roosevelt had the authority to charter foreign vessels. Cowles lists the American vessels that were chartered. Allegations have been made that the Navy illegally selected foreign vessels, hurting American shipping, and Cowles gives examples to refute these claims. For the remainder of the voyage of the Fleet, the department intends to utilize American vessels as often as possible, but the necessary coal will have to come in foreign bottoms.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-05
William Loeb asks Rudolph Forster to have Assistant Secretary of State Alvey A. Adee copy the papers he needs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Commissioner of Labor Neill does not expect a strike in amongst the railroad workers in Chicago, but still worries that things may escalate soon. He advises no one within the Interstate Commerce Commission to coax President Roosevelt into action unless the situation reaches an “extremely critical” point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom reports on his first meeting with Victor Emmanuel III, King of Italy. The king asked Griscom many rapid questions about his age, career, and health. Victor Emmanuel expressed his disdain for Brazil, based on his experience as an arbitrator between that country and British Guiana during a boundary dispute. He also described his upcoming itinerary in Greece and Sicily.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-17
Rudolph Forster is reminded that President Roosevelt is to write former President Grover Cleveland for his birthday, March 18.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-16
Secretary to the President Loeb informs Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt that President Roosevelt will speak to her about Secretary of War William H. Taft taking the Mayflower for his trip to Panama. Roosevelt thought that the First Lady would want to use the Mayflower, and if so, Taft could use the Columbia. Edith Roosevelt responds in a handwritten note, “Let Sec Taft take the Mayflower by all means.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-15
Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte relays excerpts from legislation regarding “hours of labor and leaves of absence of clerks and other employees.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-15
This memorandum describes the candidacy of Oscar R. Hundley for appointment as judge to various openings in Alabama. Hundley’s numerous endorsers are listed. Objections to his appointment are discussed, along with Hundley’s responses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-08
This memorandum outlines the differences in proposed contracts of the construction of the Pamana Canal between Walston H. Brown, railroad builder, and John F. Stevens.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-03
Fred W. Carpenter, private secretary under the direction of Secretary of War William H. Taft, instructs Theodore P. Shonts, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, to relay a telegram to Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that his telegram was received. Carpenter informs Stevens that he will be made Chairmen of the Isthmian Commission on March 5th and “will exercise the supreme control” that the position entitles to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
Secretary of War Taft requests Commissioner Shonts forward the following dispatch from President Roosevelt to Chief Engineer John F. Stevens. After serious review, Taft asks Shonts whether to accept a bid for the construction of the Panama Canal under the present contract or to reject all bids entirely. Taft cites that the two most desirable bids, McArthur Syndicate then William J. Oliver and Anson M. Bangs fit all the requirements with exception to “the least expense of the Government.” Taft informs Shonts of the resignation of Stevens, Chief Engineer of the project, and solicits to have him replaced with Major George W. Goethals. In the meantime, Taft requests that the Commission reject the two bids aforementioned. In a typed postscript, Taft informs Stevens that Goethals will replace him as Chief Engineer and Chairman of the Commission. Roosevelt expects him to use every attempt to assists Goethals with “as little friction and as little loss of efficiency” as possible.
John E. Wilkie relays the contents of a cable from Secret Service Agent Taylor in Honolulu. The cable details a meeting of the Hotel Keepers Association, which opposes the new immigration law. Japanese workers are agitated, but the meeting was a “comparatively insignificant affair.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-18
A memorandum describing a telephone conversation between President Roosevelt and Representative Jenkins. Representative Jenkins wishes to know Roosevelt’s wishes regarding the bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-14
Six names are suggested for the new judgeship in the Southern District of Ohio. Two of the men named have withdrawn as candidates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-04
Brigadier General Murray contests several statements made by Mr. Archibald regarding the incompleteness of the fixed defenses of the Pacific Coast harbors. Murray assures Chief of Staff Bell that the mines used in the coastal defense system are controlled from shore and are harmless to friendly vessels. Murray also notes that submarines are promising war vessels but they have not yet proven to be valuable and, therefore, Mr. Archibald’s suggestion to adopt submarines for the defenses of the harbors is “preposterous.” Murray does believe, however, that submarines possess decided merit for uses supplemental to fixed defenses in harbors where mines cannot be used.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01
Senator Dillingham of Vermont knows of no one who opposes the confirmation of Oscar R. Hundley except Senator Edmund Pettus of Alabama, whom Dillingham believes holds a personal grudge against Hundley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
The nomination of Oscar Hundley to the United States District Court of the Northern District of Alabama is now in the hands of a sub-committee. There is some opposition to the confirmation of Hundley because of his advocacy for an amendment to the Constitution “providing that moneys collected by white taxpayers should be used in the education of white children only, and that moneys collected from the colored people should be used for the colored schools.” This would have resulted in “colored children” being thrown out of school, as “the amount of taxes collected from colored people is very small.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
Senator Robert M. La Follette has met with Commissioner of Indian Affairs Francis E. Leupp and discussed their disagreements over a bill concerning Choctaw and Chickasaw coal lands. La Follette may support Leupp’s provisions, but he feels that the bill, leaving out any reference to the Choctaw and Chickasaw lands, should be introduced today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-22
Captain Mahan forwards lists of “Medical and Pay Department stores” sent to Kingston, Jamaica, which were not returned. The enclosed lists include sugar, butter, and other food stuffs, as well as muslin, chloroform, and boric acid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21