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Harrison Gray Otis recommended Stephen F. Kelly for the position of collector of internal revenue at San Fransisco, California. Kelly’s appointment is supported by both California senators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-27
This pamphlet provides a history of the conflict between the Los Angeles Times and the Typographical Union, which it says started in 1890 and continued for sixteen years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-14
Theodore Roosevelt found Charles Dwight Willard’s letter interesting, and thinks it is a wonder that Willard has lived this long with his health challenges. Roosevelt reflects on their being “within range of the riflepits” and reasons that all is well should they be hit as they have “fought the good fight and accomplished something.” He found the anecdote about Harrison Gray Otis at The Outlook lunch amusing, and it is true that he found it proper to leave Lyman Abbott’s correction to his article even though he believes that The Times building was dynamited. He is pleased with the success of Edwin T. Earl’s paper and comments on the corruption of other newspapermen. Roosevelt comments on the progressive contingency having to “use the curb quite as much as the spur” in dealing with the popular movement against big corporations and men of wealth. Willard’s compliments of his article pleased him, especially as he admits to sometimes feeling dispirited about them. As an ex-president, Roosevelt must balance standing up for what he thinks is right without appearing to censor the current president. However, he is “extremely indignant” that President William H. Taft vetoed the statehood bill for Arizona and New Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-18
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Charles Dwight Willard for his letter of encouragement regarding Roosevelt’s article in the Outlook about Harrison Gray Otis. Roosevelt comments that the item Willard sent him was “really dreadful” and “a hideous instance of how the public mind can be debauched.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
Theodore Roosevelt replies to E. A. Stowe and states that he “did not speak of General Otis with one tenth of the severity with which I should have justified in speaking of him.” Roosevelt’s original article favored the cause supported by Otis and went against Samuel Gompers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-24
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Samuel Gompers for the article he sent, which was “written in such a moderate and gentlemanly tone.” While he disagrees with Gompers on a couple points, it is a pleasure to write a response, rather than a “disagreeable duty.” Roosevelt invites Gompers to have lunch with him sometime and meet the editors of The Outlook.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-07
Theodore Roosevelt is surprised at the actions of the reactionaries and had an amusing experience with Harmon Gray Otis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-31
George B. Cortelyou encloses a letter of introduction to Harrison Gray Otis written by President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-18
Charles Dwight Willard sends Theodore Roosevelt newspaper clippings and a detailed letter criticizing the Los Angeles Times, its publisher, Harrison Gray Otis, and the political protection Otis allegedly receives. Willard discusses the recent indictment of Otis and two staff members for publishing indecent content, the moral and legal implications, the reaction of local authorities, and broader issues of press ethics, censorship, and home rule in California. He also comments on Associated Press bias, utility board rulings, and the political atmosphere in San Francisco.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-08
Charles Dwight Willard apologizes to Theodore Roosevelt for using a pencil, but he is currently bedridden due to a recurrence of his tuberculosis. Roosevelt’s letter greatly cheered him. His purpose in writing is to give “a batch of local gossip–political, newspaper and personal.” He recounts an anecdote about Lyman Abbott correcting Roosevelt’s article and, regardless of its veracity, how it affected Harrison Gray Otis. Willard discusses the success of Edwin T. Earl’s newspaper and comments on Meyer Lissner’s political endeavors. He praises Roosevelt’s writing as the kind “that gets results in cleaning up error and helping public sentiment into right lives.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-10
H. Hunter believes The Outlook would be less critical of Harrison Gray Otis’s attitude towards labor unions if it understood the circumstances connected with the dynamiting of the Los Angeles Times building. Hunter is a fan of several politicians, including Theodore Roosevelt, for the enemies they have made of socialists, labor unions, and “undesirable citizens.” Hunter points the finger at Catholics and the Irish as being involved with these undesirable causes as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-01
Edwin T. Earl praises Theodore Roosevelt’s recent article in the Outlook about Harrison Gray Otis, and sends him several clippings regarding it. Earl discusses the three morning newspapers in Los Angeles, one of which is controlled by Otis, and one of which is controlled by William Randolph Hearst.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-20
After reading an article in the Los Angeles Times, Charles E. Wolfe, after reading slander on Theodore Roosevelt by Harrison Gray Otis, writes to assure Roosevelt of his support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-17
Bradner F. Bean urges Theodore Roosevelt to visit Los Angeles, California, especially if he is interested in the Republican Party reform movement. Additionally, as many Mexican rebellion sympathizers are in the city, Bean suggests that Roosevelt could do much to cause a conciliatory movement among the people. He will contact Harrison Gray Otis about arranging such a visit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-30
Meyer Lissner sends Los Angeles Assistant District Attorney Heney copies of some correspondence, and wishes Heney good luck in a case he is prosecuting. He has heard that Frank H. Hitchcock went to San Francisco after stopping briefly in Los Angeles, and was unable to get in touch with him. Lissner hopes Heney will help introduce them and facilitate a meeting if Hitchcock returns to Los Angeles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-17
Secretary of the Navy Morton sends President Roosevelt a letter from General Otis. Morton shares with Roosevelt his opinion on labor’s right to organize.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-09
R. A. Dague writes an open letter to General Harrison Gray Otis regarding the war between capitalists and organized labor. Dague addressed Otis as a comrade because they are both members of the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic), having enlisted on the side of the Union in the Civil War. But the choices Otis has since made are bringing destruction and violence as capitalists fight to crush labor unions. Dague references the Los Angeles Times Bombing as abhorrent but believes that violence on the part of organized labor is justified in self-defense against actions taken by capitalists. He believes that Socialists are the only ones who can resolve the conflict peacefully by convincing workers to vote rather than strike or boycott. Dague himself is a capitalist with profound sympathy for the working class and poor who are just trying to better their lives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-14
A newspaper article discussing Harrison Gray Otis’s attack on the Herald.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-20
An article detailing Theodore Roosevelt’s denunciation of Harrison Gray Otis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt discusses the charges brought upon Samuel Gompers and Harrison Gray Otis in the Los Angeles Times.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-17