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President Roosevelt advocates to Senator Newlands for the passage of a “perfectly simple bill” as submitted by Gifford Pinchot. The bill would provide a $20,000 appropriation for continuing the work of the Inland Waterways Commission. He asks Newlands to introduce this bill, or one like it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-13
President Roosevelt tells Speaker Cannon that he thinks that Congress must pass the enclosed bill to continue the Inland Waterways Commission with a $20,000 appropriation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-13
President Roosevelt is interested in what Lafayette Young writes about Panama. He agrees there should be changes in the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-15
President Roosevelt thanks James R. Sheffield for the correspondence. It does not matter what Sheffield calls the commission, only that the members are experts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-01
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt would give Augustus L. Crocker “that in full.” However, he does not understand what Crocker means by ‘”extent and composition of the administrative departments.”‘ He thinks that almost every administrative department, such as police and street cleaning, should be single-headed if possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-10-25
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt explains to Mrs. W. H. Schieffelin that before his appointment to his current position, he wrote to and met with Secretary of the Interior Cornelius Newton Bliss about reappointing W. N. Hailmann as Superintendent of the Indian School Service. However, now that he is Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt cannot do as Schieffelin requests as it is improper for officials in one department to interfere with another.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-30
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt does not think he can do anything in the matter Harvey Bond Ellicott Maccoun asks about but will look into it. He explains that departments do not appreciate meddling by other departments. In a postscript, Roosevelt informs Maccoun that he cannot do anything.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-29
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt enjoyed Senator Chandler’s letter, especially the quip about Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He asks Chandler to speak with him before committing to John A. Howell, whom he regards as unfit to command a squadron, as evidenced by his lackluster work with the Armor Board.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-27
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Representative Morris that the Armor Board cannot visit even a small portion of the requested places. The Board is trying to get an idea of places in the West, East, and South and has already visited Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. The Board may go to two or three more locations. Roosevelt has asked the Board to sift through the applications, but that is all he can do in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-23
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt is glad that Secretary of the Navy Long favors the Armor Board going south. He tried to explain the situation to the constituents of certain congressmen and outlines a plan to prevent rumors about the Board discriminating against the South. Roosevelt discusses his decisions regarding the USS Newport. In a postscript, Roosevelt expresses the difficulty between not wanting to bother Long with matters he can attend to while not making it appear that he is arrogating power to decide questions he should not.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-18
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt received a copy of Secretary of the Navy Long’s speech from Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He is “deeply touched” by Long’s “kind and generous allusions” to him. In a postscript, Roosevelt acknowledges receipt of Long’s letter. He shares that Lodge feels proud of his “discovery” of Roosevelt and is pleased with Long’s words.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-21
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt enjoyed hearing from W. F. Brantley. He thinks he should submit a statement about Blythe Island, Georgia. The Amor Board has received hundreds of statements but cannot visit all the places requested. Roosevelt cannot speak authoritatively, but he thinks the board intends to visit Birmingham, Alabama, to look at a representative southern iron town.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-21
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt updates Secretary of the Navy Long on his recent meeting with the Armor Board. President William McKinley and Judge William R. Day report that news from Spain is not satisfactory and while Roosevelt does not anticipate trouble, the Navy should be ready to act immediately.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-20
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt was pleased with Bryce’s letter. He discusses the lunch for October 1. Roosevelt wants to see Bryce and his wife, Elizabeth Marion Ashton Bryce before they leave. For the last two months, he has had complete control of the Navy Department and has done some things he long wanted to.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-20
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt shares with Secretary of the Navy Long that Attorney General J. McKenna is reluctant to appoint special counsels. President William McKinley will wait until Long returns before acting on the nomination for Surgeon General James Rufus Tryon’s place. Roosevelt sends letters from the Armor Factory Board and shares his thoughts about what the Board should do. Upon Long’s return, Roosevelt will stay a few days to update him and then go home for his holiday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-15
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt wishes he could help P. R. Hilliard, but officials of one department cannot interfere with another.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-15
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt shares with Secretary of the Navy Long that many are frantic about Francis T. Bowles being put in charge. There is a call for a court of inquiry which Roosevelt finds pointless and will not grant unless Long directs him to. He enjoyed and profited from his time with the squadron and will write a full report later. Roosevelt recently talked to John A. Howell about the Armor Board, which is a more expensive task than Congress thinks. He comments on several other matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-10
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt updates Secretary of the Navy Long on several issues. He agrees with Long about the Bureau of Yards and Docks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-06
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Navy Long that he issued the order to Francis T. Bowles and will think over the proposition to abolish the Yards and Docks by merging it with the Bureau of Construction and Repair. He discusses his initial thoughts that the plan is undesirable and comments on the question of dry docks and the matter of torpedo boats. Roosevelt believes sending French Ensor Chadwick to England to learn about naval administration would be beneficial. He will be with the squadron next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-04
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs John C. O’Conor that he cannot interfere in another department, but he will put in a good word for O’Conor with Secretary of the Interior Bliss.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-21