Public welfare

President Roosevelt believes that as the national capital, Washington, D.C., should be a model city in providing solutions for the social problems present in large cities. He thinks Charles Frederick Weller’s study will aid in identifying issues and suggesting solutions. The Homes Commission has been appointed to begin the same work in Washington, D.C. as it conducted in New York. Roosevelt appreciates Weller’s effective use of specific stories in his book instead of the usual, dull statistics. He feels Weller’s book provides a sympathetic understanding of these social problems.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt permits Thomas J. Dolan to quote him concerning his appreciation for Gertrude Beeks from the National Civic Foundation and her work regarding the Isthmian Canal. Although Roosevelt could not always follow her suggestions, he appreciated the spirit in which she worked and the good that came from her visit.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Corinne Roosevelt Robinson requests that President Roosevelt write a note to Mrs. Maud Nathan, the president of the Consumers’ League, endorsing the work of the League to be read at their annual meeting. Robinson is one of the vice presidents of the organization and believes it has done wonderful work in improving the work conditions in shops and “agitating against the evils of child labor.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19

Creator(s)

Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933

President Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan look at each other. In between them are two hearts–“our policies”–with the arrow of “public welfare” through them.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-13

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary suggests that Henry Lloyd contact Jacob A. Riis about speaking as he has been engaged in social work and thoroughly knows the poorer sections of cities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-29

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt introduces Father John C. York to Oscar S. Straus. York is asking for help on behalf of Miss Travers, the daughter of Francis C. Travers. Travers was head of New York’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. His family is now struggling financially, and Miss Travers wishes to work. Roosevelt commends her to Straus.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

The only articles Theodore Roosevelt has written on South America are those in the Outlook. Roosevelt believed in the “human welfare” side of the Progressive platform, but the people as a whole did not support it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt asks Senator Borah if he could offer his assistance by helping a widower and mother of four children in any way possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to Gerald Morgan, expressing how much he enjoyed spending the evening with Morgan’s sister touring several facilities for the homeless and poor. Roosevelt expresses the misery of these individuals’ situations and also bemoans how difficult it would be to rectify the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-31

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Edward S. Van Zile for his letter and agrees with Van Zile’s sentiment that Tammany Hall represents a more direct, if deeply flawed, type of humanitarianism for the New York City “down-trodden” compared to the “Evening Post mugwump type of reformer.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt comments on his belief in the need for social insurance and pensions to avoid poverty for Americans in old age. Roosevelt also states that there must be some kind of pension for widows left with children, as well as some kind of support for deserted wives and children.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt congratulates J. Hall Pleasants on his body’s planned reorganization and admires the work he is doing in Baltimore, Maryland. Roosevelt is passionate about eliminating institutionalism and hopes families will be able to stay together.  

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt joins with Henry B. F. Macfarland’s committee and all the citizens of Washington, D.C., to recognize the social service that Charles Frederick Weller and Eugenia Winston Weller have performed over the past seven years. Among many other initiatives, the couple worked on committees to prevent consumption, improve housing conditions, and establish playgrounds and summer outings. Their departure is widely regretted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt thanks Bishop Brent for the letter, and says that he believes that if someone like Brent, who is able to look at problems both with the zeal of a missionary and the practical judgement of a reformer, had been working with him in Washington, D.C., a great deal would have gotten done to improve the slums and poorer districts. Roosevelt admired Bishop Henry Yates Satterlee, but feels that he was not the type of person who would be necessary for such a job.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is sorry that he cannot be present at the dinner of the Playground Association of America, but is glad that the association has Mrs. Humphry Ward as the guest of honor. Roosevelt tells Richard Watson Gilder that he feels that Americans owe Ward much, as she has played a large role in the world movement for social betterment. He sends his best wishes for the future progress of the Playground Association.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt urges Representative Miller, Chairman of the Committee on Claims, to act on the case of Pembrook B. Banton, who was injured while working on the Panama Canal. Because there is no sort of employer liability law, cases like this currently have to be addressed through special bills. Roosevelt wonders about the possibility of having a general bill to address the injustice of Banton’s case, as well as other similar cases.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt will ask Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill to inform him of anything he can do to help Jane Addams and her cause. Roosevelt expresses admiration and thanks for the way that Addams pursues reform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-24

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt asks Governor Stokes if anything can be done for Mrs. Fuernelsen who wrote the enclosed letter. Roosevelt impresses upon Stokes that Fuernelsen is not asking for anything for herself, but rather for “the three destitute boys.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to Ambassador Tower to introduce Arthur von Briesen, “one of our New Yorkers whom it is a pleasure to honor.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to Ambassador Storer to introduce Arthur von Briesen, “one of our New Yorkers whom it is a pleasure to honor.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919