Ballinger, Richard Achilles, 1858-1922

President Roosevelt agrees with Wisconsin Senator La Follette that leasing “is a means to an end” but remains firm in his beliefs that preventing “noxious combinations” will ensure any combination agreed upon will be in the public’s best interest. Roosevelt has done what he could by temporarily withdrawing lands and by encouraging effective legislation, but further action will be difficult given Congress’s refusal to act on the matter. Roosevelt concludes that if this continues, he will carefully confide with Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield and United States Commissioner of General Lands Richard Achilles Ballinger and do what is necessary. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-19

President Roosevelt tells John Campbell Greenway that he believes Richard Achilles Ballinger is a good choice for Commissioner of the General Land Office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-30

Gifford Pinchot provides a statement on the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy regarding the use of government land for private coal mining in Alaska.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01

John D. Morey, a stable foreman for the Department of the Interior, used to care for and ride a horse named Roswell, which previously belonged to Theodore Roosevelt. Now that Roosevelt has repurchased the horse, Morey asks how “Rossie” is doing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-12

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-01

Creator(s)

Goodwin, C. A.

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William Davenport Hulbert sent Abbott a rough draft of his article on Clarence Cunningham’s Alaskan land claims. If it comes to him, Hulbert asks Theodore Roosevelt to critique it. Additionally, Hulbert requests Roosevelt show it to anyone involved in Alaskan affairs. B. D. Townsend, a special assistant with the Department of Justice, approved the article after discussing the issue with Hulbert. Hulbert includes a passage he is considering adding regarding the controversy between then Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger and Chief Forrester Gifford Pinchot. 

Comments and Context

This article discusses the issues regarding the Alaskan land claims of Clarence Cunningham and its connection to the controversy between Gifford Pinchot and Richard Achilles Ballinger.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Samuel V. Leech assures Theodore Roosevelt he will abide by his decision not to be a candidate for 1912. With the nomination, President William H. Taft will carry the Republican Party to defeat. Leech discusses Taft’s various failures.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-08

D. C. Resnick claims that his previous advice has been ignored to President Taft’s detriment. Resnick is disappointed with Taft for his treatment of Theodore Roosevelt, the removal of Roosevelt men in the public service, and support for high tariffs. Resnick believes that if Taft fails to agree to the wool tariff schedule, he can never be elected to a second term.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-31

Edith Bell Opdycke read Theodore Roosevelt’s recent article in the Outlook, and agrees with what he says. While she regrets expressing disapproval of President William H. Taft’s administration, there are many points at which she feels he has seriously erred, and she believes his renomination would be “an act of stupendous folly.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-10

James R. Garfield urges Theodore Roosevelt to write a foreword for the Boy Scouts’ publication. Garfield goes on to point out how President Taft had surrendered the conservation fight when he appointed Walter L. Fisher as Secretary of the Interior. Garfield also comments how he finds the story of the granting of the terminals at Controller Bay curious, and he discusses a conversation he had with Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson about America’s actions in Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-25

John H. Perry gives Francis J. Heney topics for Theodore Roosevelt’s speech in Seattle, Washington, including the recall of judges, the right to criticize courts, and the abolishment of old constructive contempt law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-29

E. F. Scattergood appreciates Theodore Roosevelt’s work in assuring Los Angeles has an ample and reliable water supply. He sends a report with information on the aqueduct’s power feature for Roosevelt to read before visiting the city. Scattergood discusses the proposed amendments to the city’s charter concerning public utilities and agrees with Roosevelt that private ownership under effective public control is more desirable than universal municipal ownership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-20

Edward Cave encloses an article by James A. Coll and a resolution by the Douglas, Arizona, Chamber of Commerce and Mines for Theodore Roosevelt. He explains that he wanted to speak with Roosevelt to get his suggestions about how to proceed in getting protection for antelope in Arizona. They will go extinct soon if not protected by law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-03

Henry E. Hardtner believes conservation is worth more “than fifty expositions.” He comments that “Taftism” and “Ballingerism” are not popular in the South but are in the Pacific. Therefore, he requests Theodore Roosevelt contact his friends in Congress to vote for New Orleans as the location of the exposition.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-31

Gifford Pinchot is pleased with the conclusion of the Wallace incident and believes that Secretary Ballinger has been handled effectively.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-21

T. H. Hanson sends Theodore Roosevelt a limerick about Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger and Senator William Lorimer, the “Whitewash Twins.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-16

Alford Warriner Cooley is disappointed Theodore Roosevelt will not be able to visit Silver City, Arizona, during his Western trip. Hopefully, spring will bring improved health, permitting him to accept Roosevelt’s invitation to the Grand Canyon. He is interested in what the Democrats will do with their opportunity and comments on the ridiculous nature of political parties. Voting for the proposed constitution of Arizona is forthcoming. Cooley predicts it will be adopted by a substantial majority and favors Dave Leahy as governor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-09

Gifford Pinchot sends Theodore Roosevelt the report of Edmond Haggard Madison, the reports of the Democrats, the report of the Ballinger Committee, and a letter from “Uncle Henry” Wallace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-27

Frank Lambert Dingley regrets that he cannot visit New York and discuss the political situation with Theodore Roosevelt before he leaves on his Western trip. Therefore, he provides several further points, primarily on the administration’s retreat from encroachment as a sign of public pressure against reactionary political sinners. His job as editor allows him access to public opinion, which is “the scientific demand of fair play and of the equities of industry.” Dingley congratulates Roosevelt for maintaining silence during such a crucial political period. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-08-16

Lyman Abbott, editor-in-chief of The Outlook, is sending a package of issues of the magazine that were published during Theodore Roosevelt’s absence. He is also sending newspaper clippings related to recent events. Abbott believes this will be useful for Roosevelt to catch up on events he may have missed and to familiarize himself with The Outlook’s positions on them. He will find a full report on the investigation into Secretary of the Interior Richard Achilles Ballinger. Roosevelt is welcome to the full notes on the testimony.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-06-13