Labor disputes

Louis B. Livingston examines why President Theodore Roosevelt chose retired general John McAllister Schofield to command the troops needed to seize coal mines during the anthracite coal strike of 1902. Livingston chronicles Schofield’s military service, and he details his command of troops during five labor disputes during the late nineteenth century. Livingston contends that Roosevelt was drawn to Schofield’s exemplary record, his support of Army reforms, and the restraint he showed during previous strikes. Livingston suggests that Roosevelt’s threat to seize the mines moved the parties, the mine owners and the United Mine Workers, to accept arbitration. Livingston also explores other aspects of the strike negotiations such as Roosevelt’s poor relationship with General Nelson Appleton Miles and the degree to which Roosevelt kept his plans to seize the mines if necessary a secret. 

Four illustrations and a photograph supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

The article outlines the platform of the Kentucky Republicans. Judge Edward C. O’Rear is running for governor on this platform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-14

A collection of editorials by Alfred H. Holman in The Argonaut covers politics and industrial topics in the San Francisco Bay area. Mayor Eugene E. Schmitz is on trial and control of mayoral power lies in the balance. Strikes affecting streetcar and telephone service are losing steam, with employers claiming that the unions are acting in bad faith. The involvement of Rudolph Spreckels and Patrick Calhoun in the prosecution of Schmitz is examined. Holman has little faith in the industrial conciliation meeting to be held in San Francisco. Holman also makes recommendations regarding fire safety and railroad management.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-29

President Roosevelt describes to Senator Lodge the difficulties he has had in negotiating the composition of the commission to examine the Anthracite Coal Strike. The mine operators did not want a representative of labor included. Roosevelt discovered the importance of labeling and perception, however, in that they would protest his appointment of Bishop John Lancaster Spalding as “eminent sociologist” and the addition of a representative of labor, yet they would happily accept the representative of labor being labeled an “eminent sociologist” and the addition of Bishop Spalding.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-10-17

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.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1917-07-06

Several miners visited Oyster Bay, New York, to ask President Roosevelt to investigate the labor situation in Colorado. William Loeb received them, but they did not meet with Roosevelt and declined Loeb’s suggestion that they meet with George B. Cortelyou, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-12

John H. Murphy sends three articles to President Roosevelt regarding violence committed as a result of the labor disputes in Colorado. These include “Died in Fear of Guards, Bullpen” about a mine owner who supported unions who committed suicide because he was afraid of being arrested; “Taken on Street and Sent Away” about a union official, Thomas Nelson, who was forced to leave his home; and “Men Beaten and Turned Loose” about men who were deported from their home and were beaten when they returned despite the fact they had special permission to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07

Newspaper article explaining Thomas F. Walsh’s desire to see more conservative leadership take over the mine unions so that the labor situation in Colorado can come under control. Walsh also pledges his support to President Roosevelt, Senator Fairbanks, and the entire Republican Party ticket in the upcoming election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-26

President Roosevelt invites Jacob A. Riis to stay at the White House while he is in Washington, D.C., on December 14 and 15. He would like to discuss the Anthracite Coal business.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-04

George B. Cortelyou relays President Roosevelt’s call for a meeting of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission for Friday, October 24, to Edward W. Parker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-21

Theodore Roosevelt writes to American Federation of Labor president Samuel Gompers that he hopes to learn more in the upcoming issue of The American Federationist about a labor leader who was arrested for murder, likely referring to John R. Lawson, who was arrested for his role in the Ludlow Massacre in Colorado. Roosevelt has heard a rumor that Lawson was not involved in the murders, despite receiving a life sentence for the crime.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-24

President Roosevelt informs Charles M. Harvey that he has not seen James Creelman’s article. While Creelman likely does not quote Roosevelt directly, he did say something to that effect. He stated he had as much difficulty with James Wallace Van Cleave, David M. Parry, and their association as he did with Samuel Gompers and his association. It concerns Roosevelt that the National Association of Manufacturers opposes measures benefiting workingmen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-29

President Roosevelt has heard of the labor unrest in Nevada. He declines to allow Governor Thomas to see him, as he cannot get much time to himself in the summer. Roosevelt instead asks Thomas to write what he has to say, so he can decide whether there is any action he can rightly take.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-27

President Roosevelt expects that certain plutocrats will support his reelection bid, but he tells Senator William E. Chandler that he has done nothing to solicit their support, nor will he “vary one hair’s breadth” in his political positions to please them. Roosevelt suspects that he will lose some plutocrats over the Northern Securities Case and the Anthracite Coal Strike, just as he will lose some labor agitators over his open shop position in the Miller case, but he believes that “decent men” from both sides will support him. Roosevelt hopes that the “usual snarl over the governorship” will not cost him the state of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-14

President Roosevelt thanks Commissioner of Labor Wright for his letter from Marblehead, Massachusetts, and tells him to “take a full holiday,” inviting him to visit the Roosevelts at their home in Oyster Bay, New York. He expresses interest in hearing more about “Murphy.” Roosevelt includes a letter and articles by newspaperman Walter Wellman regarding the labor conflicts in Colorado involving the Western Federation of Miners, which Wellman regards as a criminal organization. Roosevelt shares Wellman’s negative view of labor leaders William Haywood and Charles Moyer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-14

President Roosevelt is still not sure if he should go to the meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic. While he is sure it would do some good, he also believes it would do more harm. If he spoke to the group, it would be difficult for him to refuse to talk to people associated with labor issues, which he does not want on Labor Day. Roosevelt is pleased that Lodge likes his speech, and asks if Lodge can come to visit him at Oyster Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-30

President Roosevelt thinks Oscar S. Straus is right but as yet Roosevelt has no justification for acting regarding the labor disturbances in Colorado. Commissioner of Labor Carroll D. Wright and his agents are currently investigating the situation, but the investigation is not complete.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-30

President Roosevelt wanted to discuss the labor troubles more at length with Philip Battell Stewart. Roosevelt would like Stewart to hint to Governor Peabody that he should not call on the President unless he is powerless to restore order, as it would reflect badly on the military of Colorado.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-15

William T. Hornaday thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the congratulatory note about Hornaday’s honorary degree from Yale University. The riots in East Saint Louis, Illinois, and personal observations of lawlessness in New York City lead Hornaday to suggest that the American people place too much value on “personal sovereignty.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-07-07

William H. Edwards responds to Theodore Roosevelt’s letter concerning Pasquale Maola’s dismissal from the Department of Street Cleaning. Edwards gives the reasons why Maola cannot be reinstated and says how disappointed he is that Maola was part of the recent trouble at the department. Edwards is worried about the welfare of Maola’s family, a wife and 10 children, but Maola rejected Edwards’ attempts to help him find a new job.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-16