Labor leaders

President Roosevelt shares his thoughts regarding the upcoming presidential election and the land fraud case against Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah with William Allen White. Roosevelt outlines his personal reasons for supporting Secretary of War William H. Taft for president as well as the political considerations necessary to secure his nomination. In the case of Borah, Roosevelt would like White to come to Oyster Bay to discuss the matter with him and Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte; Roosevelt thinks it would look bad for Borah to come himself, and asks White to bring Borah’s lawyers on August 9.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Samuel Parks, recently released from prison on extortion charges, and still wearing his prison stripes, cracks a whip over the heads of two diminutive figures, one labeled “Capital” and the other labeled “Labor.” Sam Parks was a union walking delegate, a mediator of sorts between laborer and employer.

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Comments and Context

Once again Puck attacks the contemporary figure, and phenomenon, of the Walking Delegate and his role in the labor movement, growth of unions, and workers’ rights in the United States. Frequent cases of corruption, extortion, bribery, and even incitements to strike and riot, were associated with Walking Delegates. They usually were freelances, insinuating themselves in situations of labor strife, but sometimes represented large unions seeking to organize locals.

A ship labeled “Labor” sails into dark clouds labeled “Employers’ Disclosures” on a sea labeled “Oblivion.” Laborers on board the ship are pushing over the side a man labeled “Walking Delegate” who has papers in his pockets labeled “Bribe, Graft, [and] Blackmail.”

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Comments and Context

The iconic symbol of the Walking Delegate — roving labor organizer and representative, and sometime provocateur — was a staple in political cartoons dating back to the first Joseph Keppler, founder of Puck Magazine; and Thomas Nast of Harper’s Weekly. He was identified with selfish goals, graft, and instigator.

A man labeled “Employer’s Union” and a man labeled “Workingman’s Union” drink a toast while sitting on the back of a man sprawled on the ground, clutching papers labeled “Bribes” and “Broken Contracts.” His hat nearby is labeled “Walking Delegate.” There are factories in the background.

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Comments and Context

Several employers unions and associations established themselves in the first years of the new century. They were logical and legitimate responses to the growth of labor unions in numbers of members and contract recognition. Except for such associations’ descendants as the National Association of Manufacturers — groups that eventually focused more on trade and regulations than labor negotiations — they never evolved as cartoonist Pughe envisioned.

A labor union “Walking Delegate” with one hand pulls money from the pocket of a diminutive figure labeled “Employer” and with the other hand pulls money from the pocket of another diminutive figure labeled “Working Man.”

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Comments and Context

This cartoon is one many that Puck published criticizing “Walking Delegates,” the title given to union organizers, labor representatives, negotiators, and, sometimes, advocates of strikes and everything in between. Their roles in the rise of organized labor in America are therefore varied.

A police officer holding a hat labeled “Law and Order” stands in a courtroom with a labor union “Walking Delegate” who has papers showing in his pocket labeled “Bribes” and “Broken Contract.” They are standing before Uncle Sam who is wearing the judicial robes of the judge. Caption: The Justice — You’ve distrubed the peace long enough and I’ve a mind to sentence you to hard labor – a most severe sentence in your case.

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Comments and Context

Just at the time when President Roosevelt’s intervention in the Anthracite Coal Strike the previous year indicated a thaw in the perception of labor unions and strikes in the minds of the public and the government, there was an uptick in labor violence and major union-related public disruptions. At the center of many workers’ actions were “Walking Delegates,” originally regarded as mere representatives of national labor organizations. Then, their roles changed and they were often regarded as agents provocateurs. Cartoonists often depicted them as bloated leeches, taking advantage of workers through onerous union dues. Finally they were seen — and sometimes were — plotters of violence during strikes, andb attacks on “scabs,” worker who crossed strike-lines.

A caricature of the Statue of Liberty replaces Liberty with a labor union “Walking Delegate.” His torch is labeled “Lawlessness” and he holds a tablet labeled “Tyranny.” At the base are crowds of immigrants disembarking from boats, as other boats stream across the sea from a location marked with a sign that states “To the Land of the Free.”

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Comments and Context

A generation earlier, the concept of this cartoonist might have featured only a different label or two. The caricature of the Statue of Liberty might have represented an urban political boss and municipal corruption. Instead, here, the arriving immigrants, depicted in their various native outfits, are confounded by the tyranny of the crooked labor boss, the “Walking Delegate” union organizer, and advocate of violence. At this point in time, this is how many American citizens, not only immigrants, saw a large part of the labor movement.

A laborer stands at center holding a rifle labeled “Law and Order” and a National Guard uniform labeled “Patriotism” which he is offering to Uncle Sam who is standing on the left with his hands behind his back. Standing on the right, behind the laborer, is a man labeled “Labor Agitator,” holding a whip that spells out the word “Expulsion.” He makes it clear to the laborer that he must choose between the union and service to the government, arguments raised as leverage in labor’s attempts to negotiate with the Department of the Army. Caption: The Labor Agitator — Give dem soldier clothes up! Yer can’t serve me and him, too!

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Comments and Context

From its inception until the 1903 Efficiency in the Militia Act of 1903 (the reference-point of Ehrhart’s cartoon), the United States had had an ambiguous policy regarding state militias and the United States Army. Governors could choose to meld their state militias with the Army, or not, in random fashion, perhaps depending on local opinion and politics. New England governors who opposed the War of 1812, for instance, refused to send troops to assist the Army. This is the reason that Theodore Roosevelt assembled the Rough Riders, the First New York Volunteer Regiment; in times of need, Washington authorized volunteer regiments of limited duration, across the country. The 1903 act, also called the Dick Act after its sponsor Representative Charles Dick (R-Oh), and heavily pushed by Secretary of War Elihu Root, enabled the creation of National Guard units in every state, outlined their duties and restrictions (until a 1908 amendment, they could not be deployed overseas), and guaranteed funding by a schedule. This act also enabled the creation, and mandated funding, of training camps like Plattsburgh before America’s declaration of war in 1917. The immediate point of this cartoon is the short-lived attempts of union organizers to have their members retain union rights and contract provisions while serving in Guard units; or that union members be exempt from serving in Guard deployments. Such efforts were unsuccessful.

A “Labor Agitator” sits in the center with strings attached to marionettes or puppets from all walks of life and social classes. The vignettes around the central figure show these puppets in actual life situations as union leaders and labor agitators. Depicted are a “Walking Delegate” who is “willin’ ter arbitrate” with a school principal on behalf of his son, and “The Progressive Prisoner,” a “Labor Agitator,” an “Infant Class Agitator,” and “Madame President” of the “Marriageable Women’s Union,” as well as “The District President” of the “Cook Ladies’ Union,” also school-ground bullies who prevent children from getting an education.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-01-14

John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America, grasps an angry bull labeled “Coal Operators’ Combine” by the horns. The cartoonist is suggesting that the bull might get the better of him.

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Comments and Context

John Mitchell, a second-generation Irish immigrant, joined the fledgling United Mine Workers (UMW) in 1890 and by 1898 had risen to its presidency. He was in the forefront of the anthracite coal workers’ strike in Pennsylvania fields in 1902. The strike had national implications with winter approaching. The owners of the mines, largely consolidated under J. P. Morgan, stood firm again the miners’ demands for higher wages, a work week shorter than six days, and recognition of the UMW. Cartoonist Keppler’s perception was that of the public at large, and of history. President Theodore Roosevelt intervened in an unprecedented manner, acting as and appointing mediators. In the end, and largely due to Roosevelt’s intervention and resourcefulness, a general compromise was reached before winter; a 10 percent wage hike, a five-day work week, but not, for the time being, exclusive recognition of the UMW union.  

The union organizer (known in the day as a “walking delegate”) for the Pennsylvania coal miners does a song and dance on a stage for the benefit of striking coal miners. Lurking in the shadows is a man labeled “Manager Jones.” Caption: The walking delegate in his latest popular song, — “No matter what happens, I’m always on top.”

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Comments and Context

Mary “Mother” Jones and her husband George had been active in labor organizing and radical politics when, in 1900, they became active in the coal fields of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She was employed for a time by the United Mine Workers, who were leaders two years subsequent to this cartoon, in the crippling strikes where President Theodore Roosevelt broke precedent and intervened, mediating between mine owners and workers. A feature of the nascent labor movement since the 1880s was the “Walking Delegate,” either a union organizer or union representative — frequently portrayed by opponents (and many cartoonists) as a corrupt, selfish, and arrogant provocateur who bilked laborers as much as fighting corporate forces. 

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Governor Johnson for the letter. He agrees with Johnson that the people are entitled to an open primary to express their views for the presidential nomination. Roosevelt discusses his thoughts about President William H. Taft in absolute confidence. Despite his misgivings, Roosevelt will support Taft if nominated since he sees no ground for permanent hope in the Democratic Party. He comments on the other presidential candidates and considers himself a weak candidate. Roosevelt examines how the New York judges’ decisions strengthen the Socialist Party. He reviews why he disagrees with Johnson’s estimate of the public’s opinion of himself and why he does not want to be nominated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-27

Theodore Roosevelt regrets to Colonel Pope that he is unable to accept his invitation due to previous commitments. Roosevelt references a letter Pope had sent him and wishes that it and the Emerson quotation he used could be hung in every manufacturer’s office. Roosevelt wishes that laborers would understand that their interests would be best addressed by supporting leaders who agree with Pope and Emerson’s sentiments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-04

President Roosevelt is concerned about what Walter Wellman said in his letter. William H. Taft is facing a “conspiracy of circumstances” in certain states. “Ultra prohibitionists” and “ultra liquor men” are uniting against him, and “avowed enemies of all religions” are uniting with religious zealots to defeat him. Roosevelt hopes that Wellman likes Roosevelt’s two letters on labor. He did not want to be “mealy-mouthed” about Samuel Gompers. Roosevelt believes that both Taft and Charles Evans Hughes will win in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-21

President Roosevelt outlines for Patrick H. Grace the reasons that he and all labor leaders and laborers should support William H. Taft. He details Taft’s judicial record, and important decisions he has made that have protected the rights of workers. Roosevelt also discusses Taft’s work in his administration, particularly regarding the Panama Canal, in which he has supported working men. Roosevelt believes that if elected, Taft will continue “the definite and constructive program of social reorganization” begun in the current administration, while William Jennings Bryan’s proposals are all vague. A handwritten note by William Loeb states that this letter will be published in the papers on October 26, and asks that it be kept confidential until then.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-19

President Roosevelt sends photographs of him jumping a horse to United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Reid. He directs Reid to present the photographs to King Edward VII if he would like them. Roosevelt comments on the newspaper clippings that Reid sent, noting he was surprised at how Englishmen responded to Robert Bond’s criticism of New Newfoundland’s status in the British Empire, given their response to the proposed discriminatory legislation against Japanese students in California. Lately, Roosevelt has been most interested by his “encounter with the ultra labor men and socialists over the Moyer-Haywood-Debs matter.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-15

President Roosevelt agrees with Edward Smith’s characterization of labor leaders Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood. He cautions, however, that society must not fall into error, and in the trial of Moyer and Haywood for the murder of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg of Idaho, they must be judged on whether they committed the murder, not “whether they are infamous creatures.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-23

President Roosevelt encloses in a letter to Speaker Cannon a letter he wrote to a Quaker to clarify his attitude towards Quakers. Roosevelt also addresses a recent New York Sun article that criticized his involvement with the laboring class. Roosevelt elaborates that the doors of the White House will “swing open as easily to wageworkers as to capitalists” and that he strives to represent all citizens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-03

President Roosevelt agrees with the course of Eugene Philbin’s investigation and will relate a conversation with labor leaders when he sees him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-08

President Roosevelt gives his opinion on labor leaders and their industries and the employment of union men.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-05