Meat inspection

President Roosevelt cuts another notch—”federal control of railroads”—in his big stick that already has several notches: “meat inspection,” “canal,” “R.R. rate regulation,” and “pure food.” In the background are James J. Hill, J. Pierpont Morgan, and Edward Henry Harriman holding knives with a banner behind them, “Angry R.R. magnates in their one act come by, entitled. We’re always agin the president.”

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Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04

George W. Robertson recently took the civil service examination to be meat inspector for the Bureau of Animal Industry. As a veteran, he believes he should benefit from a preference clause that would secure him the meat inspector position. He asks Theodore Roosevelt for any advice or assistance on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-05

Creator(s)

Robertson, George W. (George Washington), 1872-1941

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

James Bronson Reynolds reports his findings to President Roosevelt after a tour of the Chicago Stock Yards led by Samuel E. Bennett, Chief Inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry for Chicago. He found many improvements since his previous inspection, including building improvements and better sanitation, lunches, and workwear for workers. However, he notes that there is still much work to be done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-29

Creator(s)

Reynolds, James Bronson, 1861-1924

Ambassador Reid updates President Roosevelt on his recent interactions with the Grocers’ Federation Associations of the United Kingdom. The group requested that Roosevelt send a dispatch clarifying that canned American meat sent to foreign markets has always been carefully inspected, as half a million dollars worth of American tinned meats has become “dead stock” due to the recent agitation. Reid recommended they contact Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor Howard Metcalf or Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson instead. Reid also mentions a letter he received from Sir Edward Grey expressing support for the proposal of a reduction of armaments in Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-31

Creator(s)

Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912

Arthur J. Giles encloses a letter explaining a resolution passed by the Federation of the Grocers’ Association of the United Kingdom and a copy of the program for the Federation of Grocers’ Annual Conference. Giles requests a response from President Roosevelt regarding the resolution as it would be up for consideration at the Annual Conference.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

Creator(s)

Giles, Arthur J. (Arthur John), 1856-1931

Arthur John Giles, Secretary of the Federation of Grocers’ Associations of the United Kingdom, explains British worries over the panic concerning American canned meat. Giles refers to the panic caused by Upton Sinclair’s examination of the meatpacking industry, The Jungle. He tells Roosevelt that the Associations are passing a resolution to provide some assurances to the British people, and he would appreciate support from Roosevelt or his ambassador in Great Britain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-03

Creator(s)

Giles, Arthur J. (Arthur John), 1856-1931

Charles S. Francis encloses an editorial from the Troy Times in support of victory by Theodore Roosevelt in the federal meat inspection controversy. Francis also congratulates Roosevelt in victories regarding railroad rate and canal legislation and strongly encourages Roosevelt to take an extended vacation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-04

Creator(s)

Francis, Charles S. (Charles Spencer), 1853-1911

This document outlines meat inspection legislation. The legislation includes policies, procedures, and punishments for those involved in slaughter, the packing and shipping of meat, the inspection and supervision of inspectors, and the Department of Agriculture.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-13

Creator(s)

Unknown

L. F. Swift tells William Loeb he welcomes government inspectors at the Swift & Company meat packing facilities, though he worries about official reports being distorted in the press and negatively impacting the appeal of American meat products. Swift states he wants to work with President Roosevelt and the government towards better sanitation efforts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-23

Creator(s)

Swift, L. F.

The Times-Dispatch reports on the need for governmental inspection of meat and meat packing plants. While previously companies boasted about their quality control, the publication of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and governmental investigations ordered by President Roosevelt have shown the truth to this falsehood. Such revelations have hurt the ability of American meat to be sold on the world market, thereby necessitating legislation allowing for government inspection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-31

Creator(s)

Unknown

Secretary of Agriculture Wilson regrets that information about the department’s investigation of beef packers in Chicago seems to have been leaked to the press. Wilson assures President Roosevelt that he will ascertain whether any of his employees had anything to do with it, although he also notes that the Chicago Tribune article contains errors and large portions of it may have been based on guess work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-11

Creator(s)

Wilson, James, 1835-1920

Upton Sinclair inquires about a report in the Chicago Tribune that President Roosevelt has called off the meat packing investigation Sinclair requested because Roosevelt believes Sinclair “shamelessly lied” to him. Sinclair asks if Roosevelt has truly called off the investigation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-11

Creator(s)

Unknown