Price regulation

Albert H. Walker tells Theodore Roosevelt that two powerful men hired him to draw up a bill regarding their ideas around the Sherman Act. Walker believes Roosevelt has similar views and therefore asks Roosevelt’s opinion and attaches the bill. The bill calls for the creation of the Sherman Law Commission with nine commissioners who will oversee the licensure of those engaging in trade and commerce worth over $10,000 in a day and ensure such organizations are not participating in restraint of trade. The commission will also set prices of goods bought and sold by licensees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-16

Theodore Roosevelt, as Delilah, holds a broken pair of shears, one side labeled “Senate” and the other labeled “House.” Behind, reclining on a bed, is “Samson,” a long-haired old man labeled “The Railroads,” his hair labeled “Rate Fixing Power.” He appears to be asleep, having pleasant “Rate Fixing” dreams, caressing his long locks with his left hand. Caption: Delilah Roosevelt — I must get these shears to work together before I can do any hair-cutting.

comments and context

Comments and Context

“The American Samson” by J. S. Pughe is an example of Puck — and many reformist and muckraking journals — addressing a burning issue of the day, and invariably portraying Theodore Roosevelt as an ally, not an opponent or a leader who equivocated. Cartoons of the day, taken as a whole, and beyond individual issues and momentary controversies, help posterity understand Roosevelt and his place in contemporary movements.

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Richard Wilson Knott for the letter and editorial. He asks which “Mr. Parsons” advocates for the “1st-alone policy?” This policy permitted the growth of a power greater than law and must be dissolved. Roosevelt understands the dangers of falling into a tyrannical bureaucracy when ridding an irresponsible autocracy. He does not understand Knott’s allusion to his endorsement of Elbert H. Gary’s proposition that the government fix steel prices.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-08

Theodore Roosevelt tells Representative Martin that he believes that William Dudley Foulke’s article about the German and Canadian experiments show the first “really practical way” out of the monopoly matter. Roosevelt agrees with Martin that competition should determine prices, but when corporations become too powerful and the government is faced with a choice between price regulation by monopolies or price regulation by law, it is necessary to regulate prices by law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-10

Bernard Shandon Rodey asks Theodore Roosevelt if he had the chance to read Rodey’s article advocating a commission to set maximum prices and minimum wages. In a previous letter on the idea Roosevelt wrote that it was an interesting subject that he wished to think more about. Rodey believes he was a pioneer of the idea, but will not receive credit for it unless Roosevelt or others advocate for him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-24