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President Roosevelt has confidentially told Gutzon Borglum that he will be visiting Mount Rushmore. Borglum plans to officially unveil the “great heads” of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln during the visit. He suggests that Representative Greenway could deliver a speech.
1936-07-13
Gutzon Borglum outlines the original philosophy and purpose behind the selection of the figures for Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
1936-05-13
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs has taken action to support S. 4295, which amends the act creating the Mount Rushmore National Monument to include Susan B. Anthony.
1936-08-06
President Roosevelt has confirmed that he will be visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Gutzon Borglum would like Representative Greenway to attend.
1936-08-11
Gutzon Borglum complains of the difficulties besetting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission which have been complicated by the involvement of the National Park Service. Borglum will attend a meeting, organized by Senator Pittman, with President Roosevelt the following week with the goal of resolving the matter.
1939-06-01
The Committee on the Library approves the appropriation of $200,000 of additional funds for the completion of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Any future appropriations have been deemed out of order.
1935-07-10
A problem has emerged with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission as explained in the enclosed letter to President Roosevelt. Gutzon Borglum realizes it may be impossible for Representative Greenway to attend the commission meeting but he would like her to be there.
1935-11-07
The head of Thomas Jefferson “in all its essentials” has been completed at Mount Rushmore. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission has been inadequate for several years and, since there is a vacancy, Gutzon Borglum would like the new committee member to represent the Roosevelt administration. He suggests Herman Oliphant or Edward Bruce as potential candidates.
1935-11-07
Gutzon Borglum outlines the parameters of his original contract, his struggles to amend the contract with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission, and what he feels he should be paid in light of the multiple difficulties that have slowed progress on the monument. In spite of the current situation, Borglum vows that he will continue working on the monument until completion, whether or not he is paid what he believes he is owed.
1937-05-07
Gutzon Borglum encloses a letter he wrote to Arno B. Cammerer regarding his pay for the work on Mount Rushmore. The letter is being sent to all the members of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission and Borglum believes that many of them will be shocked by the facts. He intends to finish the monument even without pay. The good work done by Representative Greenway, Representative Werner, and Speaker Rainey ended up losing Werner his seat in Congress. Borglum jokes that he should be allowed to speak more often as he has elected three senators and got rid of four.
1937-05-14