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Mr. Simpson reports that union members in Huerfano County, Colorado, “have practically quit” and if a vote is cast the men will most likely vote to end the strike. The Republican supporters are ready to assist with the renomination and election of Governor James Hamilton Peabody.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-12
President Roosevelt sends reporter Edward G. Riggs a letter that was sent to him by former President Grover Cleveland about the Anthracite Coal Strike. Roosevelt emphasizes Cleveland’s endorsement of a pamphlet that urged Roosevelt to confiscate the operators’ property.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-02
President Roosevelt thanks Commissioner of Labor Wright for his letter from Marblehead, Massachusetts, and tells him to “take a full holiday,” inviting him to visit the Roosevelts at their home in Oyster Bay, New York. He expresses interest in hearing more about “Murphy.” Roosevelt includes a letter and articles by newspaperman Walter Wellman regarding the labor conflicts in Colorado involving the Western Federation of Miners, which Wellman regards as a criminal organization. Roosevelt shares Wellman’s negative view of labor leaders William Haywood and Charles Moyer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-14
William Emlen Roosevelt tells President Roosevelt that he agrees it would be unwise for the President to speak out on the strike matter and the “other questions at the present time.” The San Francisco disaster has pushed everything else out of mind for the past few days. Emlen Roosevelt was also in Oyster Bay and went over the land. He hopes Ted is all right, but has been unable to determine if he needed a second surgery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-23
William Emlen Roosevelt has received President Roosevelt’s letter, and though he feels his counsel will not help much with either the Rate Bill or Coal Strike, he would be glad to be of any help. Roosevelt feels very strongly about the question of open shop in the matter of the Coal Strike, and that everyone must have the right of employment free of union dictation. He has also seen in the papers that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt will be returning home, and that she should be back before Kermit Roosevelt returns to Groton. He also writes that perhaps after she and President Roosevelt have discussed the Smiths’ field, Roosevelt would like to see him about that matter. He also mentions that he and Jack are headed to the Suffolk Club over the weekend to do some fishing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-05
Francis L. Robbins informs Seth Low that he believes there should be a settlement in Indianapolis, and an agreement would have been reached if the newspapers had not published surmises as facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-15
John H. Murphy argues that when President Grant sent troops to protect the citizens during the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, he set a precedent for such actions. Murphy believes President Roosevelt would not be criticized if he were to act similarly to protect the citizens of Telluride and Cripple Creek. Murphy encloses a newspaper article to show that “the violation of personal rights by the militia is steadily ongoing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-21
Louis N. Hammerling writes to William Loeb about the miners who attempted to visit President Roosevelt in Oyster Bay. Hammerling asserts that the miners were not representing most mine unions and informs Loeb that T. D. Nicholls of the Pittston Convention of Miners were not aware that workers were attempting to see Roosevelt. Hammerling will be writing an article about the incident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-14
Statement criticizes Colorado Governor James Hamilton Peabody for calling out the Colorado militia to suppress and arrest striking miners during the Colorado Labor Wars, which includes the recent arrest of Western Federation of Miners President Charles Moyer. The statement criticizes President Roosevelt as being a “military Napoleon” and recommends that citizens should end his political career.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-20
Eugene V. Debs condemns President Roosevelt for his actions in regards to the arrest of Charles H. Moyer, Big Bill Haywood, and George A. Pettibone. Debs claims that Roosevelt is a tool of the “Mine and Smelter Trust” and denounces him as a coward.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05
President Roosevelt describes his recent experience with the coal strike. He shares his opinions about how the political machines and the corporate interests operate in a different world from the majority of people in the country. Roosevelt chose to interfere in the strike to protect the masses, and he hopes it will be over soon.
1902-10-16
The Churchman reviews President Roosevelt’s actions with regard to the Anthracite Coal Strike.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-11
Charles Moyer, president of the Western Federation of Miners, has offered to join the United Mine Workers of America by ceasing operations of western coal mines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-10
An analysis of President Roosevelt’s dealings with the Anthracite Coal Strike in Pennsylvania.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-02
The managers of the anthracite coal fields claim the strike led by the United Mine Workers of America is violent in nature and refuse to enter into arbitration with the union. The managers are willing to follow the decisions of a Presidential commission should one be appointed but insist that the miners return to work during the commission’s investigation. The owners argue that they have small profits and that the non-union miners have the right to work in spite of opposition by the union. The owners claim they want to start back before winter and they recommend the type of men on the commission. Two copies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-01
Baer, George F. (George Frederick), 1842-1914; Fowler, Thomas Powell, 1851-1915; Olyphant, Robert M. (Robert Morrison), 1824-1918; Thomas, E. B. (Eben Briggs), 1839-1919; Truesdale, William H. (William Haynes), 1851-1935; Walter, Alfred, 1851-1907
Senator Quay spoke with John Mitchell who will be in Washington, D.C., in the morning. Quay believes that President Roosevelt can convince Mitchell that the proposal would be in the best interests of the miners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-14
The managers of the anthracite coal fields claim the strike led by the United Mine Workers of America is violent in nature and they refuse to enter into arbitration with the union. The managers are willing to follow the decisions of a presidential commission should one be appointed but insist that the miners return to work during the commission’s investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-13
Baer, George F. (George Frederick), 1842-1914; Fowler, Thomas Powell, 1851-1915; Olyphant, Robert M. (Robert Morrison), 1824-1918; Thomas, E. B. (Eben Briggs), 1839-1919; Truesdale, William H. (William Haynes), 1851-1935; Walter, Alfred, 1851-1907
William F. King proposes a scheme to force the anthracite coal miners back to work by repealing the Miners’ License Act of Pennsylvania.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-08
Employees of the coal industry are striking and the New York Board of Trade and Transportation would like President Roosevelt to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions and cause of the controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-04
Charles D. Walcott suggests appointing a committee to examine the question of the anthracite coal strike.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-04