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President Roosevelt encourages Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte to take another vacation in August, and assures him that he feels that Bonaparte acted correctly regarding the “armor plate business.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-20
President Roosevelt congratulates Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte regarding the armor plate for ships and the contracts. He agrees with Bonaparte’s feeling that Naval Paymaster John N. Speel may not be the best fit for a position high in the Naval Department. Roosevelt was not surprised to read Senator Eugene Hale’s letter, and says that while Bonaparte should consult with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry, he believes they should go ahead with appointing the board regardless of what Congress does.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-14
President Roosevelt introduces Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte to James R. Sheffield, who wants to speak with Bonaparte on a matter connected with some contracts for hardened steel armor for ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-12
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 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 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 received H. C. Clement’s letter offering to inform him about Harveyized armor plates. He will keep it on file for future reference if needed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-19
Judge Joseph Buffington sends Theodore Roosevelt a paper on the use of armor plating on naval vessels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-18
Midvale Steel Company addresses President Roosevelt sending him a message regarding shipbuilding companies nabbing armor-plate contracts. Midvale Steel Company President Harrah discusses the challenges of bidding for contracts such as vying against certain competitors for contracts. Harrah suggests that it would be beneficial for Midvale Steel Company to win the armor-plate contracts since the company is cost effective, does fair bidding, offers timely deliveries, and has a record of reliability.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-13
President Roosevelt kicks “the square deal” out the door at “Oyster Bay” with “armor plate contract” shoes as Uncle Sam looks on in astonishment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-17
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte has directed that the contract to provide armor plate for two newly constructed battleships be split between the Midvale Company and the “so-called trust companies, namely, the Carnegie and the Bethlehem Companies.” Bonaparte issued a statement clarifying how he came to this decision, specifying that legislation obliges him to choose the cheapest bidders, and that he believes the armor will be most rapidly procured by splitting the contract three ways among the companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-11
Senator Chandler agrees with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt on acquiring the guns for the United States’ commercial ships and torpedo boats and that deciding on a general policy about the Navy’s size before building any additional large ships would be wise. Chandler wants to find some way to force Andrew Carnegie and the Bethlehem Iron Company to make plate armor on mutually agreed-upon terms. Roosevelt does not need to say anymore about the “infernal gunboat,” as hopefully it served as a good lesson. He sends a letter from Howell to be read only by Roosevelt and Secretary of the Navy John D. Long. Chandler asks when a warship is going to Havana, Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-25