Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates Mary E. Dreier’s letter. Although he cannot continually interfere in “labor troubles,” he likes supporting the cause when he can. He expresses concern for Dreier’s health and how he believes Frances Kellor is “just one of the finest souls I ever met.”
1913-02-04
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Raymond Robins and Margaret Dreier Robins for their support throughout the 1912 presidential campaign. He expresses pride in working to secure social and industrial justice as part of the political platform. Although Roosevelt hopes to not have to “take any position of titular leadership in the fight,” he plans to continue to support the fight however he can.
1912-11-07
Ironically, George W. Perkins, partner of J. P. Morgan & Co., “is the only voice to speak a good word” for Theodore Roosevelt. In his recent speech, Perkins spoke for cooperation instead of competition and profit sharing between capital and labor. He expressed that efficiency stands “above all for open, honest, and square dealing.” Perkins added that while dictating this part, his stenographer commented, “and T. R. did it.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-04
Resolution by Alexander Hogg to promote industrial peace between labor unions and corporations through education. The new instruction should embrace patriotism and provide more moral instruction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-29
In the first cartoon, a newsboy carries a daily paper that reads, “1905: amount embezzled for speculation this year: $6,520,000,” and President Roosevelt says “Wake up” to a policeman. In the second cartoon, a newsboy carries a daily paper that reads, “1906: amount embezzled for speculation this year: $7,481,000,” and Roosevelt says, “Wake up” to a policeman. In the third cartoon, a newsboy carries a daily paper that reads, “1907: amount embezzled for speculation this year: $41,458,000,” and Roosevelt says, “Get busy.” In the fourth cartoon, Roosevelt watches as the policeman marches toward several men who say, “Now see what you’ve done,” “You talked too loud,” and “You’re disturbing capital.”
This cartoon by John T. McCutcheon in the Chicago Tribune illustrates a situation that was believed in some quarters and charged from others, that President Roosevelt’s criticisms of abuses in corporate America and the banking system contributed to the recent Wall Street panic. Roosevelt accepted with equanimity that such would be the case, and wrote to many friends that he accepted the accusations philosophically.
President Roosevelt holds his big stick and looks at the men he has killed with it: “confidence,” “prosperity,” “good wages,” “capital,” “business,” “industry,” and “labor.” In the background is a bird labeled “hard times.”
For all the detail invested by J. F. Collins in this cartoon — down to the bulging veins and hair on the caveman’s legs — he strangely drew one of the least convincing Roosevelt caricatures ever published. Artistic license would have allowed the characteristic pince-nez spectacles, yet they were neglected. Thanks to the label on the Big Stick, we are assured that the guilty thug is Theodore Roosevelt.
A large President Roosevelt stands in front of a fire with a bag labeled “Arbitration Fund” and wording on the front that says, “Nobel Peace Prize Award to President for His Work in Promoting Peace Between Russia and Japan. $37.127.00.” Roosevelt carries a club labeled “Big Stick” with an attached olive branch across his back and looks on to two sleeping men labeled “Capitalist” and “Wage Earner.” Both men are holding daggers. There are two stockings on the hearth labeled “Labor” and “Capital.”
Cartoonist P. B. McCord engaged in hyperbolic wishes in this pre-Christmas cartoon. The back-story was President Roosevelt’s announcement that he would not keep for himself the monetary award associated with the Nobel Prize for Peace. He proposed that the fund be in escrow and used toward the establishment of an agency — or some mechanism — that would promote industrial peace in the United States.
It was noble, or at least selfless, act; but also vague. Like his related dream of an international League To Enforce Peace — basically, a diplomatic counterpart — it was inchoate. Basically the concepts were dormant for years. As the Nobel Prize money earned interest, Roosevelt only distributed it domestic and American-overseas agencies during America’s participation in the Great War. His vision of a League To Enforce Peace, which attracted the attention of Andrew Carnegie and other pacifists unpalatable to Roosevelt, was similar to Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations in name only. Roosevelt never endorsed Wilson’s League or Fourteen Points.
William H. Truesdale, president of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, discussed his view of the present situation confronting railroads at a recent stockholder meeting. Truesdale believes that the outlook for transportation companies is not positive, as both political parties have focused on highlighting faults of railroads and their management, and have made plans to drastically fix these shortcomings a cornerstone of their presidential platforms. This denunciation of railroad management has had a detrimental effect on management-labor relations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-25
A summary of recent cases in which injunctions have been granted in Federal Courts restraining members of labor unions from conspiring to injure the trade and business of employers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-11
An article in the London Times reports on the response from various British newspapers to allegations made by Secretary of War William H. Taft that the press was responsible for fomenting hostility between the United States and Japan. Several newspapers instead place the blame on the movement of the Great White Fleet through the Pacific Ocean, described as a “rash naval adventure,” which could be interpreted as a sign of aggression. The clipping had been sent to President Roosevelt specifically so he could read how the Times reported on American and Japanese relations, but the page also includes a report on Secretary of State Elihu Root’s visit to Mexico, Canadian wheat yields, a rise in anti-Asian sentiment within the United States, and a reprint of a speech given by Roosevelt on improving water transportation along the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10
The Albany Evening Journal editorializes on President Roosevelt’s criticism of the men on trial for the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg as “undesirable citizens.” While Roosevelt denies that his comments reflect on the men’s guilt of the specific charge, and are merely related to their general conduct, the editors note that this argument is not likely to convince those who believe Roosevelt’s remarks will influence the outcome of the trial against the defendants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-14
Workers of the Oliver Iron Mining Company express their support of the company, condemn the Western Federation of Miners, and denounce the red flag as a symbol of anarchy, a menace to the federal and state governments and to the community, and an incentive to riot and commit crimes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07
George B. Cortelyou updates Senator Lodge on the situation regarding the Anthracite Coal Strike. On October 6, Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor, went to Philadelphia with a message from President Roosevelt for John Mitchell. If Mitchell will direct the miners to return to work in the mines, Roosevelt will appoint a commission to investigate all issues between the mine operators and miners, and will try to obtain a settlement in accordance with the findings of the commission. There has not been a reply to this proposal yet.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1902-10-07
John Campbell Greenway describes the recent labor disputes in the Arizona copper mines. He was hoping that Theodore Roosevelt could work something out whereby Greenway could go with him to the French or Russian fronts. Greenway encloses a letter from a geologist about conditions in Petrograd and writes briefly about the situation on the Mexican border.
1917-07-06
John Campbell Greenway encloses a clipping from the Tucson Citizen for Theodore Roosevelt. Greenway instituted a weekly layoff policy for his mines and hopes the policy will spread throughout the Arizona Territory. He would like the Roosevelts to visit him in Bisbee, Arizona Territory. Greenway has offered Robert Henry Munro Ferguson a light position as he recovers from his “lung trouble.”
1910-08-09
George W. Perkins argues that large corporations are necessary to a modern economy and should be regulated by strengthening the powers of the Department of Commerce and Labor.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1911-12-04
President Roosevelt agrees with John Campbell Greenway and references his letter about “undesirable citizens” and recent speech in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He is committed to fighting against “red flag gentry” and “unscrupulous swindlers of great wealth.” In a handwritten note, Roosevelt thanks Greenway for his interest in Ted Roosevelt and Ted’s upcoming visit to see Greenway.
Arizona Historical Society
1907-08-23
The sixth draft of a news release with handwritten edits. President Roosevelt formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination. He then reviews several campaign issues and the achievements of his administration, especially focusing on tariffs, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. He also attacks his opponents for their contrary views, especially in regard to downsizing the military and increasing public spending.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
Second draft of a letter with handwritten edits. President Roosevelt formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination. He then reviews several campaign issues and the achievements of his first administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
Fifth draft of a letter with handwritten edits. President Roosevelt formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination. He then reviews several campaign issues and the achievements of his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12