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It appears that William H. Taft will succeed Elihu Root as Secretary of War. President Roosevelt asks Root if Davis can receive the salary and his retired pay if he serves as a Canal Commissioner. The letter is incorrectly dated June 11, 1902.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-11
Senator Hanna would like Mr. Hecker appointed to the Panama Canal Commission, but President Roosevelt has heard that Hecker poorly managed transport during the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt instructs Root to investigate Hecker’s actions during the war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-19
President Roosevelt is appointing Admiral Walker and two members of the Isthmian Canal Commission to travel to Panama and assess the present condition of the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-24
President Roosevelt is sending the members of the Isthmian Canal Commission to ascertain the present condition of the canal and determine the compensation owed to the French Panama Canal Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-26
President Roosevelt will try to find Mr. Murphy a position with the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-18
President Roosevelt requests Secretary Root’s advice on General Tracy’s firm being connected with the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-19
President Roosevelt appreciates Mayor Low’s advice and will take it under consideration when appointing members to the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-06
Admiral Walker’s commission (Isthmian Canal Commission) is meeting and President Roosevelt would like to have their report on the Saturday following.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-16
Joshua W. Kendall recently returned home after serving as a locomotive engineer on the Panama Canal for almost six years of continuous service. He asks Theodore Roosevelt to help him find a job in government service so he can support his family. Kendall earned the medal for canal workers and one bar for “continuous satisfactory service.” He has a letter from the Isthmian Canal Commission attesting to his excellent service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-06
William Miles reminds Theodore Roosevelt that he wrote to him about a canal lock during his presidency. He has another canal related invention that he asks Roosevelt to help him patent and present to the federal government. Miles does not have money to invest due to his poor health. He supposes that his invention is worth a considerable amount and offers Roosevelt a share of the profits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-01
Edward Thompson, a self-described “staunch supporter” of Theodore Roosevelt, discusses how the privileged American children in the Panama Canal Zone are educated at the expense of the masses, which goes against the “square deal.” He brings the matter to Roosevelt out of altruism. Thompson does not want the press to handle it for fear of tarnishing America’s global reputation and the possibility of “adverse criticism of American equity.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-01
Captain Boggs of the Corps of Engineers, on behalf of the Isthmian Canal Commission, sends Theodore Roosevelt the third volume of “The Canal Record,” which has been bound similarly to the previous two volumes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-24
Joseph Bucklin Bishop thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the “grateful and sustaining words” given at Harvard. Colonel George W. Goethals is also pleased with Roosevelt’s tribute to Bishop and wishes he could appoint him as his executive officer. However, President William H. Taft thought it unwise but assured Bishop of a worthy position once he ensured the bill abolishing the Isthmian Canal Commission passed. Yet, like with most of his promises, Taft changed his mind, and the bill will not be passed. Bishop discusses the disturbing reports of political scheming regarding appointing a new commissioner and governor of the Canal Zone. Goethals declared such things would not happen if Roosevelt were president.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-02
President-elect Taft describes his pleasant journey to Colón to inspect the construction of the Panama Canal. He informs President Roosevelt that changes among the engineering staff have resulted in clear improvements. The committee is not inclined to change the plans for the canal’s locks and dams. They worry that too much money is being spent on safety precautions, but Taft disagrees. He approves of Roosevelt’s decision to widen the canal, and is optimistic that it will be finished before the projected completion date. Additionally, Taft discusses cabinet and diplomatic appointments he is considering.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-01
Senator Lodge does not want to open an inquiry into the dealings of Isthmian Canal Commission officials and the ship broker, Mr. Archer. However, Lodge notes that, even though there have been many inquiries into various members of the commission, none have been opened regarding E. A. Drake, the purchasing agent of the Panama Railroad, or Richard R. Rogers, the general counsel of the Panama Railroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-15
Senator Lodge thanks William Loeb for the copies of letters dealing with the purchase of ships for the Panama Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-01
James Bronson Reynolds recalls that President Roosevelt has offered Daniel J. Keefe his choice between the position of Labor Secretary to the Panama Canal Commission and Commissioner General of Immigration. Should Keefe choose Labor Secretary, Reynolds recommends that the salary be increased to $8000 per year. If he chooses to become Commissioner General, Reynolds asks Roosevelt to change the law to give Keefe more power so that he can enact change.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-02
As a favor, Senator Lodge requests President Roosevelt look into the situation concerning the difficulties in purchasing the Winsor ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-07
James Bronson Reynolds, Samuel B. Donnelly, and Henry Beach Needham submit a supplemental report on conditions in the Panama Canal construction zone to President Roosevelt, because the matters are either too trivial to mention in the main report they submitted, or potentially too controversial. They make recommendations regarding the sale of alcohol, the provision of fresh vegetables for the hospitals, considerations for foreign workers in the employ of the United States Government, wage increases and worker supervision, administrative courts, and worker safety.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-06
Secretary of War Taft relays conditions in the Canal Zone, detailing two main points. First, he describes the self-serving actions of Jackson Smith and recommends he be removed from service. Second, Taft outlines the political situation in Panama and a plot by Manuel Amador Guerrero and his supporters to steal the election from Jose Domingo de Obaldia, creating the risk of another revolution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-09