Independent regulatory commissions

Concentration in industry

Charles Richard Van Hise speaks of the nuances present in monopolies and unrestricted competition in the American economy. Van Hise gives the railroads system as an example of successful use of commissions with no price competition. His thesis proposes there can be great economic advantage to maintain a concentration of industry and therefore those corporations should not be broken up by enforcing the Sherman Act. Instead, commissions should be created to determine prices and Van Hise provides a list of powers these commissions should have and how to achieve success.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-09

Letter from John Allison to Theodore Roosevelt

John Allison examines Richard Olney’s article on the constitutionality of the United States Congress delegating control of railroad operations and rates to a commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10

Legislative subcommittee report on the diversion of Niagara River

A subcommittee of the Committee on Legislative Powers for the State of New York reports their findings relative to the diversion of the waters of Niagara River.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06

Letter from William Loeb to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt wants Attorney General Moody to look at the enclosed letter and asks his opinion about whether the new commission’s powers in rebate matters should be greater.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-21

Letter from Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt to Edward P. Goetz

Theodore Roosevelt does not know the case facts which Edward P. Goetz mentioned in his letter. His secretary refers Goetz to the Inter-State Commerce Commission, which determines “such facts,” and to the speech Roosevelt made on the most recent Decoration Day at Gettysburg, which was reprinted in The Outlook.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to C. Grant La Farge

President Roosevelt explains to C. Grant La Farge that he cannot speak to his successor on behalf of any policies or commissions, because then he would have to do it for every policy or commission. He also believes they would do better to approach president-elect William H. Taft on their own initiative, rather than through him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Gifford Pinchot

President Roosevelt encloses a letter to Theodore E. Burton, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Commission, describing the “desirability” of continuing the commission. Roosevelt hopes that Gifford Pinchot will continue to serve on the commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Grant Prince Marsh

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Captain Marsh for his letter and has forwarded it to the Inland Waterways Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Felix Agnus

President Roosevelt was pleased to be able to appoint Felix Agnus to a commission, and knows that he will do the work well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Chamberlain

Although he has heard good things about the man recommended by Oregon Governor Chamberlain, President Roosevelt does not believe it is possible for him to appoint another member of the commission from the Pacific Slope.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-12

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Carrol D. Wright

President Roosevelt assures Carrol D. Wright that he is aware of Wright’s commission, and says that while he does not wish to call upon the commission if he can help it, it may become necessary to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lawrence O. Murray

President Roosevelt returns several reports to Acting Secretary of Commerce and Labor Lawrence O. Murray, and believes his suggestion to establish a commission to examine conditions of ocean steerage travel is a good one. He asks if Murray can suggest names of people to serve on such a commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George E. Roberts

President Roosevelt asks Director of the Mint Roberts if Dr. Leonard P. Kinnicutt can be named as a member of the Assay Commission for 1905.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jeremiah Whipple Jenks

President Roosevelt acknowledges Jeremiah Whittle Jenks’s letter and says it is challenging to get Congress to accept any reports but what its own committees produce.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Harry Augustus Garfield

President Roosevelt informs Harry Augustus Garfield he intends to secure the revision Garfield mentioned if possible, but cannot get Congress to consider a commission of exports.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-19

Letter from Bernard Shandon Rodey to Theodore Roosevelt

Bernard Shandon Rodey asks Theodore Roosevelt if he had the chance to read Rodey’s article advocating a commission to set maximum prices and minimum wages. In a previous letter on the idea Roosevelt wrote that it was an interesting subject that he wished to think more about. Rodey believes he was a pioneer of the idea, but will not receive credit for it unless Roosevelt or others advocate for him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-24

Letter from Howard H. Gross to Theodore Roosevelt

Howard H. Gross writes to Theodore Roosevelt concerning the National Soil Conservation and Welfare League, as he hopes to conduct a ten-year campaign, if necessary, to promote agriculture and raise sentiment to gain funds from the state and national treasury. Gross hopes to get trained agriculturist in all agricultural counties to assist farmers. Gross invites Roosevelt to join the advisory committee of the organization. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-14

Letter from Edward H. Warner to Theodore Roosevelt

Edward H. Warner, on behalf of the Rivers and Harbors Commission of Connecticut, notifies Theodore Roosevelt of a piece of legislation, in Connecticut, calling for “an appropriation of $1,000,000 for” the construction of ocean terminals in New London, Connecticut. Warner asks Roosevelt for a few words on the topic, and he forwards a report from the commission. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-12

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft tells President Roosevelt about a report made by Gertrude Beeks recommending changes to labor conditions on the Panamanian isthmus. The commission has acted on some, but others it does not consider necessary, and Taft would like to get the opinions of some people familiar with practical conditions of laborers on the isthmus. He proposes appointing a Commission to visit the isthmus and evaluate conditions, and suggests several people who could be a part of it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

Report on the Commission to Investigate Water Boundaries

A description of the possible steps for the international commission to investigate water boundaries between the United States and Canada.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902