Labor unions--Political aspects

President Roosevelt passes on a selection from Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill, suggesting that William H. Taft should not attack Samuel Gompers by name. Doing so may make labor men more likely to support Gompers. Daniel J. Keefe of the Longshoremen’s Union strongly supports Taft. Roosevelt has been speaking with Charles Hitchcock Sherrill, who says he has a plan to gain labor support in New York. Roosevelt compliments Taft on his work on the campaign trail and notes his concerns about re-electing Charles Evans Hughes as governor of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-10

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

David Starr Jordan apologizes for the labor unions in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the school board exerts almost complete control over who can enroll in the local schools and has segregated Japanese children. Jordan advises Kakichi Mitsukuri that the Japanese government should continue to limit the immigration to the United States, despite the fact that Hawaii is in desperate need of labor. Jordan believes that those who immigrate to Hawaii only stay for a short period of time and then quickly move to San Francisco, which is only making the situation worse. Japan in moving forward with these negotiations should never accept an inferior position. President Roosevelt aims to treat them fairly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-10

Creator(s)

Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931

Theodore Roosevelt has openly advocated against discrimination towards employees belonging to unions and the Progressive Party platform supports the right for labor to organize.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt values Edward Rosewater’s recent editorials on the inquiry of the New York Sun over Roosevelt’s dealings with trades unions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-04

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt objects to an editorial that appeared in The Outlook on the Miller case. Miller was reinstated, the labor union did not strike, and the case was closed. Roosevelt believes that he handled the issue “squarely” and brought about a final decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt believes that Public Printer Palmer is “worse than weak” for submitting to the pressure of the labor union and firing William A. Miller. Miller will be reinstated and Roosevelt is determined to prevent discrimination between union and non-union employees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William H. Taft encloses a letter that is being sent out widely by General Solicitor of the Burlington Railroad James Blythe. Taft discusses the stops on his trip and writes that, based on the reception thus far, he feels the campaign will be a success even if there are still worries about the labor vote. Support for William Jennings Bryan appears to be waning after President Roosevelt’s swift attack. Taft has written to Treasurer of the Republican National Committee George Rumsey Sheldon about avoiding contributions from trust affiliates and instead soliciting businessmen across the country. The election is four weeks away, and Taft is anxious for the speeches and events that precede it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-03

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Harvard President Charles William Eliot tells President Roosevelt that he likes Massachusetts Senator Winthrop Murray Crane, and is glad that Roosevelt trusts him and takes his advice. Eliot will always be glad to listen to Secretary of War William H. Taft speak on any political theme, but believes that the Philippines are no longer of the highest importance, having been supplanted by the tariff, civil service, and labor unions. He criticizes the Democratic party for not having a common conviction regarding these subjects.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-21

Creator(s)

Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926

Ray Stannard Baker writes President Roosevelt to see if the President would be willing to be interviewed, as part of a guide to the presidential candidates, about how he made his decisions in the various labor cases that have come before him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-26

Creator(s)

Baker, Ray Stannard, 1870-1946

Marcus M. Marks discusses the Republican situation for the 1904 presidential campaign. Marks writes about a potential industrial depression, the economic impact of labor strikes, and the liberalization of liquor laws in New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-23

Creator(s)

Marks, Marcus M., 1858-1934

M. Andrews writes to President Roosevelt to express his vehement opinion on the negative aspects of organized union labor in the country. He counsels Roosevelt not to be intimidated by the opposition, nor to make policy decisions which would cause a disadvantage for America’s working class.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-19

Creator(s)

Andrews, M.

Francis Wayland Palmer, public printer of the United States, summarizes the case of W. A. Miller. Miller was suspended and then dismissed from his position at the Government Printing Office due to a dispute with the Bookbinders’ Union.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-07

Creator(s)

Palmer, Francis Wayland, 1827-1907

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary requests Senator Dixon’s opinion on the suggestion that Roosevelt write personal letters eliciting the support of officers of the Railroad Trainmen’s Union. He also encloses a letter from E. Mont Reily regarding the situation in Texas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-01

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt