Railroads--Cars

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin A. Knapp

President Roosevelt has come to the conclusion that Chairman Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Commission has not come up with any legislation to address the complaints of car shortages and fears shippers are expecting immediate action. Roosevelt feels Knapp should make a statement on the matter explaining why legislation is not being introduced to Congress at the moment. Roosevelt believes the problem could be solved with administrative action by the Interstate Commerce Commission, rather than judicial action, and if it is not possible to work primarily as an administrative body then the Interstate Commerce Commission should be dismantled and replaced with another administrative body.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-24

Letter from Theodore P. Shonts to W. C. Brown

Chairman Theodore P. Shonts showed W. C. Brown’s letter to President Roosevelt, “who read it with interest.” Roosevelt agreed with Brown and understands that the need for increased pay for employees and shorter work hours requires appropriate rates, and the government wants to ensure no discrimination in rates. Roosevelt also wants to ensure that railroad securities are used for specific improvements like more terminals or additional rolling stock to ensure the security of investors’ money.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-01

Letter from Martin A. Knapp to Theodore Roosevelt

Martin A. Knapp, chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission, responds to a request from President Roosevelt for a report on the issue of rail car shortages and the impact of such shortages on the economy. Knapp believes the problem is two-fold: the shortage in the rail cars and the conditions at the terminals themselves are sub-par. A solution to the problem resides in letting the Interstate Commerce Commission have more power over matters of shipping. Knapp proposes legislation to empower the Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-25

The Pullman porter’s “kick”

A thin, tattered “Pullman Sleeping Car Porter” holds a piece of paper “Tips Daily Average on each Trip” which shows a 70% reduction in tips between 1890 and 1900. At the bottom it states “Pullman Porter’s Labor Union.” He is appealing to the president of the railroad company to become a salaried employee. An insert shows the Pullman porter “As we used to know him,” plump, with his pockets stuffed with cash and with rings on his fingers. Caption: “Say, Boss, if the public won’t pay me my wages any longer I guess the company ‘ll have to do it!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-09-04

President Roosevelt speaking from his train at Colorado Springs, Col.

President Roosevelt speaking to gathered people from the back of a train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Roosevelt making one of his characteristic ten minute speeches at North Platte, Neb.

President Roosevelt speaking from the back of a train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-05-10

Pres. Roosevelt addressing a typical Western crowd from the rear of his private car, Presidential Tour, 1905

President Roosevelt speaking to a crowd from the back of a train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905

President Roosevelt speaking from his train at North Platte, Neb., U.S.A., April 1905

President Roosevelt speaking to a crowd from the back of a train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-10-13

Ready to haul the President’s train, – Union Pacific Engine at North Platte, Neb.

Train pilot standing outside a locomotive engine

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Roosevelt making one of his characteristic ten minute speeches

Roosevelt speaking to a crowd from the back of a train. Notation on back of stereograph is the same as the caption on front of item.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-06-23

Away from the cares of state – President Roosevelt ready to enter Yellowstone Park

Photograph showing Roosevelt and Yellowstone’s superintendent, Major John Pitcher, on horseback, with railroad cars in background.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-06-11

One of the hundreds of brief stops on President Roosevelt’s long western trip, Woonsocket, S.D.

President Roosevelt gesturing from the back of the train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-04-06

President Roosevelt’s special train at Cinnabar, Montana

The train carrying President Roosevelt

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-06-12

President Roosevelt’s western tour – a stop in Crawford, Nebraska

President Roosevelt looking out at the crowd from the back of the train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-07-28

The splendid engine drawing President Roosevelt’s special train, Fairmont, Nebraska

The train carrying President Roosevelt

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-06-12

President Roosevelt speaking from his car at Lake City, Minn.

Photograph showing Roosevelt speaking from train.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-11-28

President Roosevelt’s western tour – stop at Winona, Minn.

President Roosevelt looking at the crowd from the back of the train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-07-28

One of the hundreds of brief stops on President Roosevelt’s long western […]

President Roosevelt pointing out from the back of the train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-07-18

President Roosevelt at Abilene, Kansas – looking from the stand toward the train

Crowd gathered around President Roosevelt’s train

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-07-18

The flower covered engine drawing President Roosevelt’s special train, Santa Cruz, Cal.

A flower covered train engine drawing President Roosevelt’s train.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-07-18