Actions and defenses

Letter from Felix H. Levy to Theodore Roosevelt

Felix H. Levy sends Theodore Roosevelt various telegrams associated with the dissolution of the Tobacco Trust. He invited Hugh Campbell to attend the meeting with Roosevelt. Levy believes that the Circuit Court’s decision will allow the Tobacco Trust to “go unwhipped of justice” and feels it is the duty of every citizen interested in the country’s welfare to stand against “this wicked monopoly.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-09

Letter from Alexander Pollock Moore to Theodore Roosevelt

Alexander Pollock Moore is being sued for libel by the former District Attorney because the Pittsburg Leader insisted that he try J. B. F. Rinehart in connection with looting the Waynesburg Bank. He reminds Theodore Roosevelt of their meeting during his presidency and that Roosevelt sent telegrams associated with the matter. Moore needs copies of these telegrams.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-02

Letter from Benjamin F. Scott to Theodore Roosevelt

Benjamin F. Scott wants Theodore Roosevelt to review the enclosed papers and send them to Secretary of State Philander C. Knox. He feels he was made a scapegoat by the Chicago coalmen in a car service matter on which they took legal action. Gallagher saw an opportunity to glorify himself. Scott wants Roosevelt to know he was not involved with Gallagher’s attack or the actions of others.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-05

Letter from Edmund Platt to Theodore Roosevelt

Edmund Platt believes that President William H. Taft’s administration is mistaken in its anti-trust policy, and a note of protest is needed against the trust disintegration and the form in which the Steel Trust suit was brought. Many businessmen in Poughkeepsie, New York, believe in regulating trusts but not in disintegration. Platt feels that the government did not act fairly by the small investor and should have made their plans public. He argues that the United States Steel Corporation was organized after the Sherman Act, and there is no evidence of illegal business. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-01

Letter from James Rudolph Garfield to Theodore Roosevelt

James Rudolph Garfield is sorry he could not wait to see Theodore Roosevelt in New York, as he had to leave for a business trip. He was glad to hear about Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s improvement from Frank Harper. Garfield wants Roosevelt’s opinion on the action against the United States Steel Corporation, as he heard nothing that made him suspect Elbert H. Gary deceived them. The case illustrates the difference between destructive litigation and constructive legislation. He feels that the government’s current position is destructive to legitimate business and comments on the role of courts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-27

Letter from Albert H. Walker to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert H. Walker regrets that Theodore Roosevelt does not estimate the potential efficacy of the Sherman Act as higher. He suggests that prior to Roosevelt’s administration, this law was significantly neglected. The country is starting to benefit from Roosevelt’s implementation of the law, and public opinion favors its continued vigorous enforcement. It would take years to enact the administrative commissions proposed by those who desire to attain efficient control of corporations by moving away from the Sherman Act, especially those corporations engaged in interstate commerce. Walker further discusses this point.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-31

Letter from George W. Wickersham to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Wickersham has directed the File Room to re-examine whether there are any letters about the Earle-Kissel-Segal sugar matter that are not in the printed document. He thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the invitation to lunch, but his schedule is both full and uncertain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-01

Letter from George W. Wickersham to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Wickersham has dispatched a messenger to New York to deliver some files to New York District Attorney Henry A. Wise referring to the Earle-Kissel-Segal sugar matter. He has instructed Wise to communicate with Theodore Roosevelt regarding when Roosevelt would like to receive the documents for examination. He agrees with Roosevelt that “the whole assault is idiotic,” and shares his view of the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-26

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles J. Bonaparte confirms some details of antitrust suits that occurred against Standard oil and the Tobacco Trust around the time he was Attorney General in Theodore Roosevelt’s administration. He asks Roosevelt if he knows anything of the details surrounding a proposed political organization that claims to stand for the principles of Republicanism, as he is somewhat skeptical of it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-26

Letter from Ralph R. Duniway to Theodore Roosevelt

Ralph R. Duniway recently read an article by Theodore Roosevelt on the proposed Arizona Constitution, and reflects upon Roosevelt’s argument that it is a republican constitution like that of Oregon, assuming that Roosevelt is arguing against the allegation that it is a pure democracy, and not a republic, because of the recall of judges. Duniway feels that the ballot initiative, referendum and recall of judges have already pushed the government away from being a representative republic, but concludes that a case presently before the Supreme Court will decide the matter. He sends Roosevelt some documents relevant to the case, as he believes he will be interested.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-18

Letter from Nathaniel T. Green to Theodore Roosevelt

Nathaniel T. Green informs Theodore Roosevelt that he has recently successfully sued the American Tobacco Company for damages under the anti-trust statute. The suit was successful even though the judge’s views were not favorable. Green believes that allowing private rights of action against trusts more feasible could be a good method of breaking trusts up. He sends a brief he presented on the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-18

Letter from Charles H. Betts to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles H. Betts was glad to receive Theodore Roosevelt’s letter to him regarding a recent judicial decision, but finds himself unable to agree with Roosevelt’s ideas of judicial recall. Betts outlines his thoughts on the topic, and explains why he must disagree with Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-10

Letter from Peter A. Juley to Theodore Roosevelt

Peter A. Juley recalls being involved in a court case with Town Topics in which his lawyer introduced a great deal of testimony from Theodore Roosevelt which did not seem to have a bearing on the case. Juley now suspects that his lawyer was crooked, and had schemed with New York State Senator Albert A. Wray to annoy Roosevelt. He apologizes for his part in the case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-08

Letter from Thomas Goode Jones to Theodore Roosevelt

Judge Jones reflects on recent attacks by former Alabama Governor B. B. Comer to Theodore Roosevelt. Jones also comments on his involvement in a railroad rate case, and hopes that his actions did not make Roosevelt regret the faith he had placed in him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-23

Letter from H. G. Porter to Theodore Roosevelt

H. G. Porter asks Theodore Roosevelt to write to the government on his behalf. He willingly served as a witness in the case against J. N. McCool for selling oleomargarine as pure butter. However, he had to pay a fine for retailing the oleomargarine McCool sold to him under false pretenses.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-23

Letter from William H. Hunt to Arthur William Merrifield

Judge Hunt of the United States Commerce Court tells United States Marshal Merrifield that he will try to find out what the situation is with Charles S. Henderson potentially replacing him as United States Marshal. Senator Thomas Henry Carter recommended Henderson, but Senator Joseph M. Dixon may now have control of the nomination process. Hunt reassures Merrifield that, “whatever comes, you have the satisfaction of feeling that your period of service has been one of the highest credit to yourself, and of usefulness of the public.” Hunt thanks Merrifield for the telegram he sent relating to the Bliss case. He comments that he was gratified that all three judges of the appellate tribunal felt that he made the correct ruling.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-16

Letter from Charles Buckley to Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt previously helped Charles Buckley by sending him a sum of $25, but Buckley now asks Roosevelt for help again. He is in very bad health, and is involved in court proceedings. He cites his history as an honorable soldier, and hopes Roosevelt can help him for the sake of his children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-13

Letter from Thomas J. Dolan to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas J. Dolan thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his offer to write to Illinois Governor Charles Samuel Deneen about Edward McCann. He forwards letters from several men involved in labor movements which he says will convey the general feeling of the movement towards “this atrocious proceeding against McCann.” Roosevelt can either write directly to Deneen about the matter, or send Dolan the letter to pass along to the correct people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-27

Letter from John W. Scougale to Frank Harper

Responding to Frank Harper’s previous letter in which he asked John W. Scougale if there was anything concrete he would ask Harper to call to the attention of Theodore Roosevelt, Scougale asks if the government has the power to look into matters of court proceedings and of conspiracy of companies against individual employees. Leading up to this request, he outlines his current situation and what led him to be involved in such a legal dispute.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-23

Letter from John C. Fleming to Theodore Roosevelt

John C. Fleming praises Theodore Roosevelt’s time as president, and particularly mentions sending the Battleship Force around the world. Fleming is working on a book entitled “The Battleships of Peace,” and asks Roosevelt if he would send him a picture of a battleship to be reproduced in the work. He additionally asks if Roosevelt can provide him with assistance regarding a matter mentioned in an enclosed letter, which he previously sent to New York Senator Chauncey M. Depew, involving the New York Central Railroad company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-16