Your TR Source
A “beef trust” pumps “rotten ram” air into a “packers meat inspection bill” hot air balloon. New York Representative James Wolcott Wadsworth sits in an “immunity bath” basket. President Roosevelt looks on. Caption: Resident of the White House: “I tell you your flying machine can’t get through. . .”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-16
President Roosevelt praises the characters in William Allen White’s book Stratagems and Spoils, and compares them to some contemporary politicians. Roosevelt has been disgusted by some recent speeches by William Jennings Bryan, who he characterizes as a demagogue. He reflects that on any issue, it is impossible to not have some allies whose reasoning on the issue is completely different, using Upton Sinclair as an example. While Roosevelt holds Sinclair in contempt, he recognizes that he also can provide good service in helping Roosevelt effect change in the meat-packing industry. Roosevelt similarly comments on several senators in relation to the railroad rate bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-22
President Roosevelt sends Senator Beveridge a clipping from the Evening Star, which implies that Roosevelt has looked at Beveridge’s speech. Roosevelt asks Beveridge to make it clear that Roosevelt has not seen Beveridge’s speech and is not responsible for any of it. While Beveridge may agree with the policy of the administration, his speech should not be seen as an official declaration of policy. Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson has approved of Beveridge’s meat inspection bill, but Roosevelt has not yet been able to read it and is not sure when he will send in his own message on the subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-23
President Roosevelt asks Commissioner of Labor Neill to consider some papers he recently received from the Department of Agriculture and tells him that he would like to see him and James Bronson Reynolds soon to discuss the matter. Enclosed in the letter are a draft of a bill regarding the inspection of meat as well as proposed changes to the bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-04
James R. Sheffield congratulates President Roosevelt on the Panama Canal legislation and the Meat Inspection Act. He then twits the President over the upcoming Harvard-Yale Regatta to be held at New London, Connecticut. Sheffield is traveling to Utica, New York, to attend his parents’ golden wedding anniversary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-22
Senator Beveridge plans to attend to the speech that President Roosevelt mentioned to him, but with a slight delay. He comments to Roosevelt on several topics surrounding the bill for inspection of meat packing facilities. Beveridge asks that if George P. McCabe, a solicitor in the Department of Agriculture, is drafting an amendment to his bill it be submitted to him, and that Roosevelt communicate with him if he has any doubts on any portion of the matter, or believes that they need to compromise at any point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-16