Your TR Source
Governor Roosevelt thanks Judge William Nathan Cohen for the letter, and promises to look into the franchises at once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1899-09-04
Harry H. Humrichouse appreciated Theodore Roosevelt’s article in the Outlook, “The Trusts, the People, and the Square Deal.” He believes Roosevelt’s plan to control corporations by a commission is practical. Humrichouse admires Roosevelt and introduces himself as a nephew of Roosevelt’s friend, Senator Louis E. McComas. He hopes Roosevelt will be president again.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
Charles B. Price has always voted Republican but will not do so in the upcoming election unless something changes. He feels Theodore Roosevelt is the only man who can save the Republican Party and the nation. Price concedes that businesses needed house-cleaning during Roosevelt’s administration. However, the public has come to think of corporations as the enemy, a persecution that cannot continue. President William H. Taft’s administration has shown its inability to cope with the situation. Price does not want the Democratic Party to solve the issue, but they will unless a mastermind leads the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-02
Henry B. Joy is busy and finds it difficult to arrange an interview with Arthur L. Holmes and prefers that he write a letter instead. He comments on washed sales on the New York Stock Exchange and how they mostly stopped under Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s administration. Joy feels that America is strangling business enterprise and industry unnecessarily through prejudice towards corporations, which pose no threat if adequately regulated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
J. Stanley Brown sends Theodore Roosevelt the November issue of Worlds Work with his article about the difficulties corporations labor under. He also discusses possible remedies that Roosevelt’s administration considered. Had the succeeding administration followed these, the country would not be a “mess.” Brown argues that the public does not understand the constructive side of Roosevelt’s administration because it has not been presented clearly. He asks Roosevelt to consider turning over the needed materials to a businessman who could present the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-31
William Phillips, Secretary of the National Free Labor Association, calls Theodore Roosevelt’s attention to the problems of corruption in the business community. While the public will condemn politicians who uses bribes in public business, it does not view businessmen who offer bribes in the same negative light. Phillips hopes that Roosevelt can use his position to condemn the use of bribery by corporations to secure government contracts or favorable legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-26
William D. Murphy moves to congratulate Theodore Roosevelt as the Supreme Court continues to endorse many of his policies; including the dissolution of illegal organizations, the differentiation between “the good and the bad corporations,” and the decision to leave room for interpretation in constitutional law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-20
Abram B. Reading requests Theodore Roosevelt read and publicly respond to the open letter he originally sent in 1909 and recently re-sent, along with the memorial and petition that he also mailed to Congress members. He wants to bring the issue of corporations forward, but members of Congress have yet to act. Reading feels a commentary from Roosevelt would accomplish this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-25
Frederick Biffar sends Theodore Roosevelt “a business man’s opinion” of the political situation, and is of the opinion that “business is suffering from hammering of large corporations.” Unless Roosevelt is the presidential nominee of the Republican party, Biffar feels that he might have to vote for another party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
W. C. Brown finds the alleged interviews, of which he encloses clippings, disturbing as they are likely a pretext for attacking Theodore Roosevelt. He also includes a statement of what he actually said and a copy of an interview. Brown steadfastly supported Roosevelt’s position on corporations during his administration and believes Roosevelt’s recent speeches will not change his opinion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-09-26
Representative Parsons has conferred with Timothy L. Woodruff, Representatives Olcott, Bennet, Calder, and Sherman, and Charles Evans Hughes about the matter in President Roosevelt’s previous letter. Parsons would like to bring in out-of-state speakers to enliven the campaign but hopes they will not discuss tariffs or labor unions. There was general agreement to have Joseph Gurney Cannon, Speaker of the House, give his scheduled speech but many think it unwise to have Secretary of State Elihu Root speak in New York because of his connection to Thomas Fortune Ryan, the “Equitable matter,” and corporations in general, and how William Randolph Hearst would portray it in his papers. Edward R. Finch agrees with Parsons that Root should still come and speak about stable government ensuring good business conditions, but would like Secretary of War William H. Taft to be his substitute if the Congressmen decide against Root.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-15
Charles J. Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt regarding a speech he gave about corporate agencies in the United States. He also discusses Prince Louis’ upcoming visit to New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-23
Theodore Roosevelt argues for adoption of a middle ground in economic arguments between those who advocate for unlimited individual freedom and those who argue for state control and ownership. He contends that advocates of unchecked individualism and socialism actually work to undermine their stated goals, while a middle ground of some state control and the encouragement of free enterprise and initiative promises the best outcome.
A photograph of Theodore Roosevelt seated at a desk accompanies the article.
A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association as well as the members of the executive, finance and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees is found on page two of the essay.
Edward P. Moore sets out his plan for the construction and funding of a new, improved railroad line. Moore proposes that creating such a line would allow for many improvements in traditional railroad operation, would bring benefits to the country through the construction of highways parallel to the railroad tracks, and could be done economically through the issuing of bonds and investing in sources of electricity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-29
President Roosevelt wears an “ex-government trust investigator” sign and has a “Cortelyou” paper in his back pocket as he pushes an “official trust squeezer” on a wine press to get funds from a man on the press. On the other side, another President Roosevelt collects money in a “campaign fund” bag. There is a line of corporations with checks in the background, following the sign that reads, “This way to the press.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-04
President Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan use a big stick and knife—each labeled “publicity of contributions” respectively—to kill the “corporations” goose. Herman Ridder and George Rumsey Sheldon each hold money bags. The United States Capitol building is in the background.
The remarkable cartoons of W. A. Carson — detailed, informed, always in bright colors — were major attraction of the Utica, New York, weekly Saturday Globe. Invariably on the front page, above the fold, and centered under the paper’s masthead, his cartoons were more incisive than editorial cartoons reflecting current events, yet hewed to an independent stance. The Globe was a regional paper that desired to serve readers of all persuasions.
In this cartoon, in fact, it is well-nigh impossible to gauge the cartoonist’s personal point of view. After a period in American politics, though Muckrakers’ exposures and congressional hearings, and especially heated during the previous four years, both political parties committed themselves to electoral reform.
“Corporations” lies on the ground with a broken “organized capital” sword nearby as President Roosevelt stabs him with a “trust buster” sword. Caption: The Hero: “Take that, and that, villain!” Villain (aside): “Oh, Theodore, stop it, you’re tickling me so!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-08
The writer of the article expresses support for President Roosevelt’s proposition to make changes to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and to enact a federal incorporation law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-06
The writer argues the most successful Republican candidate for the presidential election will be the individual who most closely adheres to President Roosevelt’s policies and insists potential candidates need to build upon the leadership of Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-23
Senator Bourne congratulates President Roosevelt on his Provincetown speech, “one of the ablest you have ever delivered.” He shares his thoughts about corporate management and ownership, and makes suggestions regarding railroad stocks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-23