Your TR Source
President Roosevelt asks Attorney General Bonaparte what he thinks about the Oklahoma gerrymander and suggests action if it is justified. He also discusses Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis’s concerns about railroad employees’ testimony in the Standard Oil case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-06
Frank G. Hobbs writes to Theodore Roosevelt in the hopes Roosevelt can help him secure a position. Hobbs has purchased a lot in Needham, Massachusetts, and hopes to build a home.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-27
Railroad executive William C. Brown tells Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts that he is happy Shonts will be coming to New York. He reminisces about a train trip taken with then vice-presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt, and discusses the paths their careers have taken. Brown expresses his support for federal and state railroad regulations, but is concerned that poor public confidence surrounding abuses and corruption by railroad executives in the past, is impacting the financing of railroad improvements. Brown hopes President Roosevelt will “call attention to the fact that the railroads are an important and inseparable part of the wealth of this Nation.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-28
Paul Morton expresses concern about the possibility of the Interstate Commerce Commission being negatively influenced by “public clamor” and carrying its investigation beyond legal limits. Morton argues what is needed now is not further exposure, but the opportunity for the business community to adjust to new business methods and practices. Otherwise, Morton fears that financiers will become so worried over the danger of their private affairs being exposed, that it will be difficult to finance the needs of the railroads, which will retard the growth of American commerce and the development of the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
Business card of M. O. Davis, passenger agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In a handwritten note, a position with Vice President Roosevelt or his secretary is requested for Mr. Moffett.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to discuss Kermit’s new boss, salary and future work options. He says he will continue to send Kermit $200 every quarter.
1913-05-01
Theodore Roosevelt thanks A. B. Garretson and the Order of Railway Conductors of America for the resolutions of May 12, 1909, having just received the embossed copy. Throughout his official life, he prized the goodwill of America’s railwaymen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-01
Theodore Roosevelt commends Calvin Cobb’s service as a railroad man.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-19
President Roosevelt does not think it is wise for him to speak on the matter that James S. Henry has asked his opinion on. He will try to “wake up” the Republican National Committee about labor people, especially railway employees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-20
President Roosevelt informs Senator La Follette that although the employers’ liability bill is not in as good form as he wishes, the railroad men have asked him to sign it and he has agreed. He encloses Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte’s opinion of the bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-22
President Roosevelt thanks George W. Lynch and his associates for the letter. Roosevelt says that he would do everything he could for a “square-dealing, honest corporation,” and believes that in the long run business success rests on fair dealing. He invites Lynch or one of his coworkers to come visit him in Washington, D.C., so that they can discuss matters involving the welfare of railroad-men.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-18
Harry H. Meyers asks Theodore Roosevelt to write a letter acknowledging Harry McDonald and Charles Cobb, the long-serving conductor, and engineer in charge of his train from Memphis, Tennessee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-10
Theodore P. Shonts discusses the proposed restructuring of the Panama Railroad Co.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-01
William H. Moody reports that Montana requests and is granted the same marshal support as North Dakota in the face of threatened railroad violence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-19
William H. Moody informs President Roosevelt that he has authorized the use of deputy marshals but limits the involvement of the government to simple protection of commerce in the railroad dispute. Moody does not have an objection to the appointment of Thomas A. McBride as district attorney, but it would be unfortunate to allow Francis J. Heney to dictate the appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
Henry White has received updates from Morocco, where the Sultan hopes to escape French and German influences. The Germans will march on France if France marches in Morocco. White has not had occasion to send President Roosevelt any recent telegrams. White congratulates Roosevelt’s progress in establishing peace between Russia and Japan. White laments the difficulty of finding housing in Rome, and relates details of a railroad strike with more details to follow in a later letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-10
W. C. Whish thanks Mr. Mill for his help and assures him that he will be an excellent railroad employee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-13
Simon Cordery examines the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and the nation’s railroads. Cordery highlights some of the significant episodes in Roosevelt’s life made possible by train travel like his trip to the Dakota Badlands in 1883, his exhausting campaign tour as a vice-presidential candidate in 1900, and his “Great Western Tour” as president in 1903. Cordery notes Roosevelt’s affection for the railroad workers and his disdain for their employers. Roosevelt saw the employees, with their difficult and dangerous jobs, as embodying the strenuous life while he wanted to curb the economic and political powers of their bosses. Cordery highlights the Northern Securities Case which dismantled a combination of railroads on the northern Great Plains and the debate over whether the railroads should provide free travel to the president.
The article features nine photographs, including three of Roosevelt and trains, and two political cartoons.
Railway employment history of Charles S. Mellen.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
Biography of Frank Greene who spent his career in various railroad positions, served in the Dakota Territory legislature, and was a friend of Theodore Roosevelt.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown