Railroads--Employees

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. 

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.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

Unknown

Kermit Roosevelt describes his work for the railroad and says he is enjoying it. He expresses his sympathy at the death of Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s sister. Roosevelt acknowledges receiving a Rudyard Kipling book.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1913-01-25

Kermit Roosevelt describes his job duties on the railroad. He recently became an inspector of traffic. The forest is lovely and Roosevelt has been very interested in the butterflies and birds.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1913-03-15

Kermit Roosevelt describes his time in South America, travel companions, and draws a small diagram of the land.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1912-1914

President Roosevelt speaks to the railroad branch of the YMCA in Topeka, Kansas, on “decent living and high ideals.” He praises them for their character, strength, and courage. Roosevelt also discusses the YMCA’s mission and how it helps to develop the character of young men. He also discusses his hopes for the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-01

President Cleveland as a railroad conductor collects fares from William McKinley, who is holding a ticket labeled “War Tariff Pass,” and an elderly man, dressed as an infant labeled “Infant Industries,” on his lap. The infant holds a pacifier connected to a bottle labeled “Protection Pap.” Caption: Conductor Cleveland–That fellow can’t ride free any longer, Ma’am – he’s big enough to pay for himself!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-11-15

Theodore Roosevelt lauds the attributes of railroad men that make them both exceptional workers and ideal candidates for the military. He argues for preparedness and discusses fair business practices and working conditions in industry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-06-10

D. P. Sanderson’s business card. Sanderson is an agent with the Great Northern Railway.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

Print shows John Kelly carrying a basket labeled “27,000 Votes For Sale,” accosting passengers on a “New York Train,” seeking buyers. Around the car, men are seated beneath windows labeled “Democratic Nomination Hewitt for Gov.,” “Cornell for Gov.,” “Folger for Gov.,” and “Wadsworth for Gov.” They are reading newspapers labeled “Half Breed,” “Greenback,” “Independent Puck,” “Stalwart,” and “Machine Paper.” Caption: John Kelly Here you are! I’ll sell to anybody else, except “blind pool men.” How much for the lot?

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1882-08-30

President Taft, as a railroad brakeman, stands atop a freight car labeled “Administration Route.” He is waving to a woman labeled “Reactionary Politics” driving an automobile. The train is headed for a tunnel labeled “Revolt of the West.” Above the train is a bar labeled “Insurgent Movement” from which strips of rope are hanging, labeled “Burkett, Beveridge, Brown, Nelson, Clapp, Cummins, Dolliver, Bristow, [and] La Follette,” an insurgent group of senators who broke with Taft’s policies. Includes note: “A telltale is a bar to which strips of leather or rope are attached to warn brakemen on freight trains when they are approaching a bridge or a tunnel.” Caption: But there is still time to duck.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1909-11-17

A maniacal-looking railroad fireman labeled “Criminal Negligence” shovels human bodies into the boiler on a railroad locomotive. Caption: In the first nineteen days of January, of this year, 136 persons were killed on American railroads and as many more injured. The railroads, according to the Interstate Commerce Commission, are killing men, women and children at the rate of 26 a day and injuring 237 a day.

Comments and Context

The efficacy of an Interstate Commerce Commission with “teeth” is illustrated in this powerful cartoon by Udo J. Keppler. Then ICC actually had been established in 1887, the first of any federal regulatory agency. As was the case with the Sherman Anti-Trust Act a few years later, ills and offenses of American business were addressed, but to mild or perfunctory effect.

The Hepburn Act of 1906 — long-fought, much compromised, and with real oversight of railroad rates, lines, and contract provisions — had wider authority. The ICC was given stronger penalties to impose, and the benefit of publicity to the public. Also it purview extended beyond railroads to other forms of transportation and commerce.

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

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.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

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. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-01

Theodore Roosevelt commends Calvin Cobb’s service as a railroad man.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-18

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-06