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President Roosevelt tells Massachusetts Representative Washburn that he has kept an open mind concerning the child labor bill sponsored by Albert J. Beveridge. While Roosevelt sees arguments in its favor, the letter Washburn forwarded from Mrs. Evans has “equally strong arguments against it.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-03
President Roosevelt encourages Representative Gardner to help pass the bill regarding the investigation into the labor of children and women in the House of Representatives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-12
Frances M. Wolcott updates President Roosevelt about the comings and goings among her friends and family in Paris, many of whom are ill with Diphtheria. She also explains the gift she sent him, a thermos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-13
Commissioner of Labor Charles P. Neill explains the importance of passing either the Beveridge bill or the Lodge bill to eradicate child labor in the United States. Two-thirds of states and territories already have laws regulating child labor, with a wide variety of laws in place. The lack of uniformity in these laws creates unfair competition between industries and states, and the passage of one of the federal bills would help solve this problem. Neill concludes by asserting that children under fourteen should be pupils, not breadwinners; child labor is indefensible; and intelligence and education are vital to maintain a high standard of citizenship in the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-15
President Roosevelt believes that a “first class” child labor law in Washington, D.C., should be prioritized because it is not controversial. The opposition of many “excellent men” to proposals for a national child labor law deserves consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-12
President Roosevelt wishes his position on the difficult matter of child labor were clearer. Currently, he leans towards not promoting immediate action. However, if other measures fail, it necessitates a bill such as the one proposed by Senator Albert J. Beveridge. Roosevelt highly regards and appreciates Sewanee, Edgar Gardner Murphy’s alma mater.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-15
President Roosevelt tells Senator Beveridge that he does not believe the child labor bill Beveridge proposes has the support of organized labor, as Beveridge claimed. When Roosevelt spoke with labor leaders, the most anyone would say was that they supported the idea behind the bill, but did not seem to think it would be effective. Roosevelt was glad to find a position for Spencer F. Eddy in Argentina.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-12
President Roosevelt tells Senator Beveridge that there seems to be a general sentiment against Beveridge’s child labor law. Roosevelt also comments on the possibility of finding a position for Spencer F. Eddy. The latter will depend on whether there are other people in the service who deserve it more. If Roosevelt does find a place for Eddy, it will likely be in South America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-07
President Roosevelt advises Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus that any investigation into labor conditions should be conducted by the Bureau of Labor over the Census Bureau, as this is not “merely a statistical investigation.” Citing the Labor Bureau’s effective investigation into the meat-packing industry, Roosevelt states that the Bureau of Labor should not be punished for its previous efforts and that any investigation put forward is to yield positive results that would persuade Congress to enact legislation if need be. Roosevelt has not witnessed any “dereliction of duty” from the Bureau or the Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-20
President Roosevelt sends his thoughts on the present movement towards building playgrounds in American cities to the Washington Playground Association through Cuno Hugo Rudolph. Roosevelt believes that play is important to the physical welfare of children, especially after most have been barred from employment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-16
President Roosevelt tells Representative Crumpacker that he is very interested in the bill on the investigation of the condition of woman and child labor and feels that the only bureau suited to conduct such an investigation is that of the Bureau of Labor. The Census Bureau is not the proper body to do the work because Roosevelt hopes to aim at more than the simple collection of statistics. He endorses Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill as the man to head the proposed investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-12
President Roosevelt congratulates Fred S. Hall and the Child Labor Committee on the passage of child labor laws in New York State.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-15
Robert Erskine Ely discusses logistics with Frank Harper concerning Theodore Roosevelt’s upcoming speech at Carnegie Hall. He says that knowing the audience will have primarily come to hear Roosevelt speak, a trustee, E. R. L. Gould will only briefly speak to introduce Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-17
Catharine A. Hannum asks Theodore Roosevelt for help reforming the practice of aid societies placing children in homes merely as cheap labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-30
Senator Beveridge defends his support of proposed child labor legislation to President Roosevelt, believing that organized labor would be “militarily” supportive of the bill. He also argues, in response to Roosevelt’s doubts, that the text of the bill is well worked out and could be easily interpreted and applied by courts, basing his assessment on his own successful legal career. Beveridge acknowledges that he had been too caught up in recent statehood debates and arguments over the Philippines to make the necessary legal defenses for the legislation on the Senate floor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-19
Senator Beveridge informs President Roosevelt that he has learned important things from Samuel McCune Lindsay regarding the child labor situation, including something that may personally interest Roosevelt. He suggests Roosevelt request that Lindsay visit immediately. Beveridge is making progress on the child labor bill itself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-14
Senator Beveridge writes to follow up on an earlier conversation with President Roosevelt about the constitutionality of the Child Labor Bill. The jurisprudence is unambiguous in demonstrating that Congress may regulate all matters relating to interstate commerce. Beveridge also notes that many initiatives by the states to solve this issue have been ineffective, citing several examples. He has also seen the popular sentiment stirred up by the long campaign against child labor, and believes this bill is an example of good governance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-22
Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, delivered on March 13, 1913, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, discusses the necessity for and organization of the Progressive Party. Roosevelt particularly highlights the Progressive Service before addressing issues of the progressive platform.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1913-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes J. Y. Brinton, praising Governor Martin Grove Brumbaugh for passing an effective Child Labor Bill. He comments on the Lelong case, in which Roosevelt asserts that P. A. Lelong had “beyond all shadow of a doubt” elected to be a United States citizen. When an alien becomes a citizen in good faith, Roosevelt says, he would protect him in every way.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-06-03
The pen with which President Theodore Roosevelt signed Senate bill 4812, regulating child labor in the District of Columbia, is sent with a letter from Maurice Latta, Assistant Secretary to the President, to Alice Gitterman (Mrs. John M. Gitterman), who had advocated for the law. On the letter, an oval photograph print of Theodore Roosevelt has been inset.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
1908-05-28