International Brotherhood of Steam Shovel and Dredge Men

Secretary of War Taft forwards a letter to Theodore Shonts from President Roosevelt. Thomas J. Dolan has asked Roosevelt that his men be given first-class passage to Panama and while Taft agrees with the accommodations, he wants Shonts to be clear with Dolan that the men must behave and any objectionable conduct by the laborers is to be met with discipline from the ship’s captain. Taft instructs Shonts to return the enclosure to William Loeb to be filed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-01

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

William H. Taft reports that he followed President Roosevelt’s advice and accepted the election as an honorary member of the Steam Shovel and Dredge Men.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-11

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on labor negotiations with railroad employees working on the Panama Canal and isthmian railroad, touching on topics including pay schedules, sick pay, and overtime compensation. Taft recommends keeping the compensation and benefits package with which the workers were first recruited, but disagrees with some of their newer demands. Conditions are improving at the canal, including better living quarters, a lower rate of disease among workers, increased amusement options, and travel to the United States becoming easier. Taft attaches an account of the relevant hearings with labor and committee men.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-07

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930