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Various forms of transportation owned by the government and operated by an abundance of government employees are depicted, suggesting that some level of corruption is an aspect of federal, state, or municipal ownership.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-09-26
A depressed old man wearing formal clothing sits on the sidewalk on small railroad cars labeled “Street Railways.” In his pocket is a paper labeled “Expiring Franchises” and protruding from a bag another paper labeled “Leases.” A bundle at his feet is labeled “Boodle.” Mayor of Chicago, Edward F. Dunne, is standing in the background with a broom.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-04-26
A towering figure with three heads – of Charles F. Murphy, Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna, and Israel W. Durham, political bosses respectively of New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia – places a medal labeled “Bossism” around its large neck. Papers sticking out of Murphy’s pockets are labeled “Patronage, Contracts, Graft, [and] Jobs.” Caption: Are we ready for it?
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-05-24
Father Knickerbocker, a symbolic figure for New York City, holds a large stick labeled “Municipal Ownership” at his side and confronts three animated figures labeled “Electric Light Monopoly, Telephone Trust, [and] Gas Trust.” Caption: Father Knickerbocker — I hate to use this, but-
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1905-02-15
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Senator Richard F. Pettigrew of South Dakota for his letter and for the copy of Mr. Williams’ letter. Roosevelt will make use of Williams’ suggestions for the Columbus program and relays his support for government ownership of railroads and telegraph lines in Alaska.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-25
President Roosevelt invites Lincoln Steffens to come see him at Oyster Bay. Roosevelt thinks that if Steffens’ theory is correct, the government would have to own the saloons, refuse to collect customs duties, while owning every possible corporation and industry where there would be the chance of bribery. Steffens is somewhat wrong regarding Europe, as not every government owns the saloons, and many of them have subsidies for industries. Roosevelt agrees with Steffens in the necessity of fighting against privilege, but thinks that Steffens is attacking a symptom instead of the cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-12
Although William Dudley Foulke has an “utter abhorrence” of President Woodrow Wilson, he fears that the Republican Party offers even worse alternatives. Foulke disagrees with the Republican Party about tariffs and the formation of the League of Nations and discusses the challenges facing railroad and communications privatization now that the war has ended. He also believes that momentum is with the nationalization of industries and that America cannot go back to “reduced wages, longer hours.” As when he was advocating for Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive principles, Foulke believes that the greatest security against “the menace of socialism” is offering equal opportunity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-12-24
Ambassador Reid has forwarded President Roosevelt’s letter to the people of Salisbury, and he is sure it will promote kindly feeling. Reid hopes that they may be able to bring the “slow-moving” Colonial Office to an early agreement, as the only currently contentious issue between the parties is that of purse-nets. Reports of William Jennings Bryan’s speech in Madison Square Garden produced instant revulsion in Great Britain, as the public thought he “dished” himself by proposing government ownership of the railways. Reid has not yet had a chance to discuss Roosevelt’s letter to Andrew Carnegie with Sir Edward Grey, but plans to bring it up at first chance. Frederick Scott Oliver, author of the new book about Hamilton, does not seem to be a prominent literary figure among the Englishmen Reid has asked. Reid has been watching the Cuban situation with great anxiety, as he has always believed the United States made foolish decisions about Cuba at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
Before President Roosevelt gives his planned “The Man with the Muckrake” speech, Frank Putnam of National Magazine asks him to read an article which he believes demonstrates that there is genuine, widespread resentment about economic oppression throughout the country. Putnam admires Roosevelt and believes that he could play a role in the “Third Revolution,” which will free people from “industrial bondage.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-11
Lyman Abbott believes the government should build, own, and operate the proposed Pacific cable. Abbott states the government should not need to depend on a private company to communicate with its “distant possessions.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-07
In the “Field of Municipal Revenue,” a man labeled “Taxpayer” gleans the droppings labeled “Public Improvements” left behind by harvesters labeled “Political Boss, Franchise Lobbyist, Practical Politician, [and] Corrupt Politician” with a wagon-load of hay labeled “Deals, Franchise Grabs, Graft Contracts, Extravagance, Rake-offs, [and] Jobs.” The wagon is being driven by a man labeled “The Man Higher Up.” Caption: Formerly the impression prevailed that this gentleman owned the field.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1909-10-13