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Railroads--U.S. states--Freight

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Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin A. Knapp

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin A. Knapp

President Roosevelt tells Chairman Knapp, of the Interstate Commerce Commission, that he feels the commission’s agent should procure information on whether passenger trains will still run past towns where there is a dearth of fuel and food. He that the mail could be taken on freight trains instead of passenger trains in order to avoid causing undue suffering. The crisis in North Dakota is grave at present, and Roosevelt feels he has the right to require railroads to do their part to meet it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-30

Our inefficient railroads

Our inefficient railroads

Chester Arthur Legg reports his view on the inefficiency of railroads. He declares that it is common knowledge that train passengers can expect to arrive hours late to their destination. However, he feels this pales in comparison to the issues surrounding railroad freight service resulting in economic impacts on businesses. He reports the negative impacts of car shortages and the determination of railroad presidents to run their businesses with the least amount of expenditures; even to the detriment of railroad employees. Legg suggests penalties for slow moving cars. He also discusses railroad accidents and safety, and the Interstate Commerce Commission’s lack of railroad experts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-19