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H. V. Meyers informs Theodore Roosevelt that negotiations for building a reservoir in Colorado are nearly complete. He mentions the project will hold 60,000 acre-feet of water and asks for Roosevelt’s views on irrigation, noting his past support. Meyers says construction will begin soon and appreciates any advice Roosevelt can offer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-07
Robert Maitland Brereton writes Theodore Roosevelt and introduces himself. After explaining his personal history, Brereton expresses his concerns to Roosevelt about the fact that Oregon imports so much of its food when it has so much desirable farmland. Brereton states much of Oregon’s population lives in cities and towns rather than taking advantage of the large amount of farmland present in the state. He believes that the lack of good public roads is the main reason for this, and urges Roosevelt to look into the matter, suggesting several countries that could serve as examples to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-27
Harry B. Runnalls expresses his gratitude and admiration for Theodore Roosevelt, and praises his involvement with irrigation in Arizona as a great humanitarian act.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-19
Mayor Frank L. Ewing invites Theodore Roosevelt to visit Yuma, Arizona, if his travel plans permit. The people wish to show him the results of the land reclamation work they have done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-17
William Barnes expresses a wish to be present at the upcoming dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, and explains his reasons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-17
Professor True recalls the approximate wording of a statement that Theodore Roosevelt gave in Reno, Nevada, several years ago about the importance of irrigated agriculture. He asks both for Roosevelt’s confirmation that the quoted statement is correct and for permission to use it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-07
On behalf of a committee from the National Irrigation Congress, Charles F. Fishback invites Theodore Roosevelt to speak to the Congress, held from December 5 to 9.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-21
John L. Truscott asks Theodore Roosevelt to arrange a meeting with President William H. Taft to discuss irrigation practices like he and Roosevelt did on a previous occasion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-14
Milton H. Hogel asks Theodore Roosevelt for recommendations on works about irrigation and conservation for his daughter, Helen Hogel, to use in her senior essay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-03
On behalf of the workers of the Minidoka Irrigation Project, Senator Heyburn sends President Roosevelt the gift of some potatoes. The workers express their appreciation for the Reclamation Act, which they accredit to Roosevelt’s foresight and patriotism. They hope Roosevelt understands the courteous and respectful intentions of their gift.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-14
This report summarizes allegations by Inspector Edward B. Linnen related to the construction of a canal in Wyoming which was fraudulently used to claim desert land as having been reclaimed. A second canal was constructed by the company which acquired title to the lands from the original company. In order to effectively irrigate the lands, the second canal had to be constructed in a materially different manner than the first, proving that the first project was a fraud.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-01
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock repeats what President Roosevelt said in Roosevelt’s note about a bill. Regarding the bill, Roosevelt intends for it to specify that the city of Los Angeles is not allowed to let individuals or corporations have the right to sell water from the city for irrigation use.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-29
Postcard showing two individuals handing irrigating by pouring a bucket of water over crops. Charles C. Myers notes that this is one way that gardens are watered in China.
In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Showing one way that Chinamen water their gardens.”
In a speech at the Grand Canyon in Arizona, President Theodore Roosevelt remarks on the contributions made to the Rough Riders regiment by the citizens of Arizona, including Native Americans, and he says that the state will benefit from plans for irrigation promoted by his administration. Roosevelt also encourages the citizens of Arizona to leave the Grand Canyon untouched and unspoiled, famously saying that “man can only mar it.” Roosevelt also makes use of the term “square deal” for the first time in this address.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
1903-05-06
In a commencement address to the faculty and students of the University of Illinois, German Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg urges the graduating students to use their theoretical and practical knowledge for the public good.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-09
This film depicts Theodore Roosevelt’s commitment to the reclamation of desert land and his belief that natural resources exist for the public benefit. Included are close-up views of Frederick Haynes Newell, first director of the U.S. Reclamation Service and Gifford Pinchot, first chief forester and leader of the conservation movement in the U.S.; both influenced Roosevelt’s thinking and action on conservation. Roosevelt fought successfully for the passage of the Reclamation Act of 1902, which authorized the creation of the reclamation service. In 1906 work on the Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in Arizona began and was completed in 1911. Film consists of views of desert area, including many varieties of cactus; construction of the dam; the completed dam, hydroelectric plant, reservoir, and irrigation system. Scenes of fields and orchards, sheep and cattle grazing, men clearing, plowing, and harvesting fields with various types of farm equipment, and scenes of crops of wheat, alfalfa, and melons, all represent the benefits brought to the Salt River Valley area by the availability of water.
At the formal dedication of the dam on March 18, 1911, Roosevelt presses an electric switch opening sluice gates, and speaks and shakes hands with workers. Behind him on the platform are, left to right: a woman who may be Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt; a bald man who is probably Louis C. Hill, supervising engineer of the project; an unidentified man; Benjamin A. Fowler, president of the National Irrigation Congress; another unidentified man; Richard E. Sloan, territorial Governor of Arizona; and a man who is probably John P. Orme, president of the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
Draft of an address to be given by President Roosevelt, in which Roosevelt accepts the Republican presidential nomination and reviews the accomplishments of his administration. This copy includes edits suggested by Chairman of the Republican National Committee George B. Cortelyou, some of which he transmitted to William Loeb by telephone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-21
Draft of an address to be given by President Roosevelt, in which Roosevelt accepts the Republican presidential nomination and reviews the accomplishments of his administration. This copy contains handwritten edits suggested by Whitelaw Reid. Numbers correspond to comments made by Reid in his letter to Roosevelt of the same date.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-14
Shorthand draft of an address to be given by President Roosevelt, in which Roosevelt accepts the Republican presidential nomination and reviews the accomplishments of his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-27
Draft of an address to be given by President Roosevelt, in which Roosevelt accepts the Republican presidential nomination and reviews the accomplishments of his administration. This copy contains handwritten edits suggested by Secretary of the Navy Morton.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-18