Knapp, Martin A., 1843-1923

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Henry Harriman

President Roosevelt tells Edward Henry Harriman that subpoenas have already been sent out regarding the Interstate Commerce Commission’s investigation into Harriman and the Union Pacific Railroad. Roosevelt states that he cannot heed Harriman’s request of a delay under the circumstances, but that he will meet with special prosecutor Frank B. Kellogg as soon as possible to discuss the matter. Roosevelt thought that the delay beyond December 25^th would have been adequate, and regrets “extremely that you didn’t communicate with me in time” before the chain of events that “will now cause such dislocation of business to alter.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-11

Letter from Charles G. Washburn to John W. Weeks

Charles G. Washburn writes to John W. Weeks about their mutual concerns related to the Department of Justice’s enforcement of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Washburn summarizes the history of the Sherman Act. He discusses the effect of the 1897 Trans-Missouri case and efforts by politicians, including Theodore Roosevelt, to amend the Sherman Act. Washburn also describes a number of cases which have gone to court under the Sherman Act. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-28

Memorandum from Charles Patrick Neill

Commissioner of Labor Neill does not expect a strike in amongst the railroad workers in Chicago, but still worries that things may escalate soon. He advises no one within the Interstate Commerce Commission to coax President Roosevelt into action unless the situation reaches an “extremely critical” point.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Allison

President Roosevelt sends Judge Allison a copy of a letter from Interstate Commerce Commission Chairman Martin A. Knapp, and asks if he could send Knapp a copy of Allison’s letter in return. Roosevelt notes that he recently received a letter from Allison’s daughter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-23

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank B. Kellogg

President Roosevelt believes that officials of the Great Western road have not informed Frank B. Kellogg of the effects of their actions, and that representatives of the labor organizations feel the result is a deception. He advises Kellogg to have the action held off until he can investigate further and advises him to meet with Charles Patrick Neill and Martin A. Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

President Roosevelt forwards to Attorney General Bonaparte the Interstate Commerce Commission’s report, letters, and a map on the Edward Henry Harriman matter. He suggests that Bonaparte publish the report at the same time he announces the law suit. In a postscript dated July 11, Roosevelt responds to a letter he received from Bonaparte in the meantime. He expects to be “in an awful row” regarding Ulysses S. Bratton. He discusses the timing of Alexander McDonald McBlair’s and Mary Tayloe Key’s marriage, as it relates to McBlair’s responsibilities in the Oregon land fraud cases. He praises Bonaparte’s handling of the tobacco case. Finally, he alerts Bonaparte that Senator William Peters Hepburn wants to speak with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William B. Allison

In response to the rise of railroad accidents, President Roosevelt asks Iowa Senator Allison if additional provisions can be added to the sundry civil approbation bill that just passed the House. If he is willing to take up the matter, Roosevelt will have Interstate Commerce Commission Chairman Martin A. Knapp contact him. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to J. Farley

President Roosevelt thanks Farley for the “long and interesting letter.” He asks if Farley can come to Washington D.C., to review the matter with a representative of the Department of Justice.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to S. H. Cowan

President Roosevelt agrees with most of what S. H. Cowan wrote in his letter, and would like for railroad rebates to be stopped and rates reduced. He believes it is wise for the Interstate Commerce Commission to have at least one person who can speak “with full understanding of and sympathy with the interests of the wage-workers,” and feels that the lack of such men in government is a constant problem. He is inclined to reappoint most of the members of the commission, but will try to fill the vacancies with a lawyer like Cowan describes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Rudolph Garfield

President Roosevelt asks Commissioner of Corporations Garfield if there is a reason that the Interstate Commerce Commission should not go ahead with the oil investigation. Roosevelt does not want them to interfere with the actions of Garfield, and asks him to speak with Interstate Commerce Commission chairman Martin A. Knapp to discuss the issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Rudolph Garfield

President Roosevelt directs Commissioner of Corporations Garfield to furnish the Interstate Commerce Commission the information in his report relating to the transportation of oil throughout the country. There is no reason for the Interstate Commerce Commission to not immediately proceed with the investigation of oil, as declared by the resolution of Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jonathan P. Dolliver

President Roosevelt encloses a copy of Attorney General William H. Moody’s proposed amendment to the railroad rate bill, which he would like Senator Allison to show to Senator Moses E. Clapp. Moody, Roosevelt, and two members of the Interstate Commerce Commission find the amendment satisfactory, and believe that it would avoid any question of the constitutionality of the bill.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Gurney Cannon

President Roosevelt encloses a copy of Attorney General William H. Moody’s proposed amendment to the railroad rate bill, which he would like Speaker of the House Cannon to show to Representative A. Barton Hepburn. Moody, Roosevelt, and two members of the Interstate Commerce Commission find the amendment satisfactory, and believe that it would avoid any question of the constitutionality of the bill. After Cannon and Hepburn have discussed the matter, Roosevelt would like Cannon to see him to discuss matters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Frank Basil Tracy

President Roosevelt forwarded Frank Basil Tracy’s dispatch and accompanying articles to Martin A. Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission, who then shared them to other members of the commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-31

Letter from Paul Morton to Theodore Roosevelt

Paul Morton has heard rumors of Senator Francis Marion Cockrell’s retirement from the Interstate Commerce Commission. If they are true, Morton recommends James A. Peabody as a potential successor and can attest to his qualifications.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-09

Letter from Alford Warriner Cooley to Theodore Roosevelt

Assistant Attorney General Cooley recounts a conversation he had with Martin A. Knapp regarding a meeting with Charles S. Mellen of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company. At a meeting at the White House at which Roosevelt was present, Mellen seemed unsure if keeping steamship lines operated by his railroad might violate the Sherman Antitrust Act. Knapp’s recollection was that Roosevelt declined to express an opinion in the matter. In light of this, Cooley sees no reason not to proceed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-03

Letter from Paul Morton to William Loeb

Paul Morton returns the letter from Chairman Martin A. Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission and informs William Loeb that he has nothing to say on the matter Knapp refers to in the letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-05

Saturday discussions

A program listing the January, February, and March dates and speakers for the Saturday Discussions lecture series sponsored by the Republican Club of the City of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-11

Letter from John Callan O’Laughlin to Theodore Roosevelt

John Callan O’Laughlin sees no improvement in the Republican political situation and shares his thoughts on various issues with Theodore Roosevelt. He discusses the insurgents’ relationship with President William H. Taft and his recent appointments to the Supreme Court and other administrative agencies. Taft swung around to the tariff commission plan, recognizing it as an important issue for the upcoming campaign. O’Laughlin does not think the ship subsidy bill will pass, although there is an appropriation for constructing fortifications for the Panama Canal. The national committee will not meet next month. The administration knows Taft’s renomination depends upon Roosevelt’s approval or his refusal to be nominated. The Japan question is “muddled,” and there are various “pin pricks which cannot but be harmful” to the countries’ relationship. O’Laughlin disagrees with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge about Senator William Lorimer’s case and asks Roosevelt for a statement on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-31

Milder attitude toward railroads

The understanding of the Interstate Commerce Commission is that the Sherman Antitrust Act does not apply to railroads, although without input from the Supreme Court on the matter they are unwilling to state so definitively. In any event, the particular matter of the merger of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company with the Boston and Maine Railroad is not a violation of the act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-08