Business

Andrew Jaritz sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of an address he delivered before the U.S. Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce on the subject of business regulation. In November Jaritz sent Roosevelt an article titled “Business Caesar” and would appreciate hearing if Roosevelt received it. Jaritz is a student from Budapest, Hungary and has studied at New York University and Cornell University.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-17

Charles W. McMurran sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of his article Boosting Things and states that he believes if only politicians would let up, prosperity would be more abundant. McMurran prays Roosevelt will have good health and many years more to enjoy the fruits of his labor while mankind benefits from his actions. McMurran adds he will support Roosevelt for President and would like to come to Oyster Bay for a conversation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-15

Theodore Roosevelt updates Robert Harry Munro Ferguson on Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s recovery and appreciates the advice he gave to Kermit Roosevelt. Roosevelt feels limited due to having no business or training that he can pass on to his sons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-20

Joseph C. Noblit tells Theodore Roosevelt he read in the newspaper that Theodore Roosevelt Jr. has a connection to carpet manufacturing, and Noblit would like to invite him to invest in a new process that he claims will revolutionize the carpet industry by saving on materials and labor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-13

W. P. Chase acknowledges he is a stranger to Theodore Roosevelt, but Roosevelt knows some of his relations and this can prove his legitimacy. Chase has become a contracted seller for Arthur W. Arnold’s patented stove damper, which he says regulates combustion on stoves and furnaces to save on fuel usage. He hopes Roosevelt would consider becoming a business partner, and presents this from a philanthropic viewpoint to appeal to Roosevelt’s appreciation for philanthropy, as he claims the damper will benefit the poor the most. Chase hopes to meet Roosevelt in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-12

Albion B. Turner encloses his article on corporation laws and worker conditions and asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s comments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-19

Franklin MacVeagh introduces Carter H. Fitz-Hugh of the Fitz-Hugh Luther Company of Chicago to Secretary Henry L. Stimson. He urges Stimson to consider Fitz-Hugh’s proposal if he and President William H. Taft sell the equipment no longer needed at the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-16

President Roosevelt holds his big stick and looks at the men he has killed with it: “confidence,” “prosperity,” “good wages,” “capital,” “business,” “industry,” and “labor.” In the background is a bird labeled “hard times.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

For all the detail invested by J. F. Collins in this cartoon — down to the bulging veins and hair on the caveman’s legs — he strangely drew one of the least convincing Roosevelt caricatures ever published. Artistic license would have allowed the characteristic pince-nez spectacles, yet they were neglected. Thanks to the label on the Big Stick, we are assured that the guilty thug is Theodore Roosevelt.

President Roosevelt congratulates Douglas Robinson on his appointment and rise in the business world.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-09-27

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him about the Progressive Party convention where he spoke for two hours. He does not believe they can win the election and predicts Governor Woodrow Wilson will be victorious, with him and President William H. Taft nearly even behind. Roosevelt plans to start campaigning in September. Roosevelt says he and Mother agree that if going to Brazil to work appeals to Kermit, then he should go. He describes celebrating Ethel’s birthday.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-07-13

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to congratulate him on being elected to the Boone and Crockett Club. He wants to know if Kermit wants his article back from Collier’s because if they publish it he will get very little money. Roosevelt wishes he could advise Kermit more about Elon Huntington Hooker and David M. Goodrich and their companies but Kermit must make up his own mind. He will have Mother send him Hooker’s pamphlet.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-04-06

Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he remembers “Dewey” well. He says Kermit got a nice letter from Dave Goodrich, a former Rough Rider, and Roosevelt thinks Kermit should go in with his company but not until he hears from Bob Perkins about Elon Hooker’s company. Mother returns from her trip soon and Roosevelt is sending Kermit $30 to go hunting. Kermit has taken notes on the envelope.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-03-15

President Roosevelt forwards to his son Kermit a letter from Harvard Dean Byron Hurlbut, and he wants Kermit to visit Hurlbut. Ted has an interview with Robert Perkins regarding working at his carpet works. Major Austin Wadsworth is visiting. Roosevelt encloses a letter from Alfred E. Pease regarding the Africa trip.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-09-05

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about a speech he gave entitled “Americanism” and rails against President Wilson and his foreign policy toward the World War and Mexico, unfavorably comparing Wilson to Thomas Jefferson. Roosevelt talks of how well Ted has done in business this year and discusses the army training camp at Plattsburgh, New York.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-10-15

The newly formed National Commercial and Industrial League explains their purpose and mission as an organization for businessmen and seeks membership. Theodore Roosevelt belonged to the League.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-02-01

Frank F. Wolfgram writes Theodore Roosevelt requesting information on business opportunities in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1914-03-15

Mary Eno Pinchot, wife of James W. Pinchot, has asked Julio M. Foster to meet Theodore Roosevelt in Chile. Letter also discusses hunting, topography, bolas, influence of Catholic Church, land distribution, business, and political parties.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1913-11-03

D. S. Iglehart, Director and Vice President of W. R. Grace and Co., describes the firm’s South American business, offers assistance and itinerary advice, and how he would like to meet with Theodore Roosevelt. Excerpt.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1913-10-22

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Governor Stubbs’s suggestion but his article on the conservation of business has already been published. He will use the suggestion in an upcoming speech. Roosevelt would like Stubbs’s help to outline the campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Jeremiah Johnson for his letter and agrees that the commissions are insufficient. Roosevelt also comments on the Stanley Report.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-27