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In addition to Henry Lee Higginson’s letter, President Roosevelt received many communications from individuals and businesses concerned about the economic downfall and panic. Roosevelt mostly agrees with Higginson, but is confused by some of his points. Roosevelt thinks the global economic circumstances have little to do with any action by his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-12
Ambassador Charles S. Francis notes that Professor John Williams Burgess attended Ambassador Charlemagne Tower’s recent dinner at the Embassy in Berlin and will be traveling to Vienna. Due to Burgess’s criticism of President Roosevelt, Francis does not want to entertain him, and asks William Loeb’s opinion on the matter. Francis hopes that Roosevelt approved of unofficial efforts to pressure the Austrian Phoenix Insurance Company to reach an agreement with a committee representing the San Francisco earthquake claimants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-11
Oscar Sutro thanks Ambassador Charles S. Francis for his assistance in reaching a compromise with the Austrian Phoenix Insurance Company. The deal will greatly help all claimants affected by the recent San Francisco earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-12
President Roosevelt takes a big stick labeled “Japanese question” and hits “San Francisco” with it. Caption: “Another earthquake.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-05
Headline declares, “Half of San Francisco is now in ashes!” following an earthquake and fire.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-04-19
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say that Ted’s eye is improving and Ted is back at Harvard. Roosevelt discusses Archie and Quentin playing, getting along with Edith, and the egg-rolling on Easter Monday. Roosevelt says he is busy with the disaster in San Francisco and is also focused on the Panama Canal issue and getting the rate bill passed.
1906-04-22
An allegorical female figure labeled “San Francisco” is being tortured “on the rack” by a cast of medieval-looking executioners labeled “Cement Dealer, Lumber Dealer, Iron Workers’ Union, Steel Trust, Bricklayers Union, Building Materials, [and the central figure] Greed” in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire that destroyed much of San Francisco. Caption: “Generosity” is easy when you can get your money back with interest.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-10-24
A female figure holds out a crown labeled “The New Frisco,” fashioned after a city skyline. A bear sits on the ground next to her and, in the background, are 16th or 17th century sailing ships. The context of this cover cartoon is the destruction of San Francisco three weeks previous, and the city’s hopes for renewal.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1906-05-09
President Roosevelt thanks Secretary of War Taft for the efforts of the army to provide relief to San Francisco following the earthquake that devastated the area. Roosevelt recalls other instances in which the army has provided similar relief, and affirms that the army has met these challenges “in noble fashion and with an efficiency which justified to the full its equipment in men and means.” Item includes shorthand and typewritten text.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-28
President Roosevelt thanks Emperor Meiji of Japan for the kind letter he received referencing the contributions of the American Red Cross Society for the relief of famine in northeastern Japan. Roosevelt now thanks Meiji in turn for the generosity and sympathy the Japanese people have shown the people of San Francisco in the wake of the earthquake there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
President Roosevelt confirms receipt of Acting Secretary of the Treasury Taylor’s report on the assistance given by the Revenue Cutter Service to the people of San Francisco and has ordered it to be made public. He thanks Taylor and all the officers and enlisted men of the service for providing “prompt, gallant and efficient work.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-31
President Roosevelt is sorry to report that it is impossible for the Federal Government to act as William D. Sohier believes it should regarding disaster relief in San Francisco. The Army will be finished with its work in San Francisco in nine days, and the government will have no further power there. Neither will the National Red Cross be able to advantageously act, “save through the local committees.” Roosevelt has forwarded Sohier’s letter to Secretary of War William H. Taft.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-21
President Roosevelt introduces Cleveland H. Dodge to Henry J. McCoy, secretary of the San Francisco Young Men’s Christian Association. Roosevelt has given McCoy this letter of introduction because he takes an interest in the association’s work, and reminds Dodge that their building was burnt down in the earthquake and subsequent fire that struck San Francisco.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-07
President Roosevelt was relieved to hear from Fairfax Henry Wheelan and is glad that he was not as affected by the San Francisco earthquake and fire as he had feared. Wheelan’s account of the people of San Francisco fills Roosevelt with pride. Regarding Lewis’s wish for a military appointment, Roosevelt tells Wheelan to have him submit an application but warns that the chances of Roosevelt being able to appoint him are small due to the number and claims of other applicants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-21
President Roosevelt expresses his regret that the San Francisco Young Men’s Christian Association building was destroyed in the recent disasters at San Francisco. Roosevelt believes in the importance of the work the organization does and assures Henry J. McCoy that he believes the country will band together to help support reconstruction of the building. He praises the courage with which the inhabitants of San Francisco have faced the disasters affecting them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-05
President Roosevelt thanks Danforth Geer and the members of the Hoosac Club for their donation of $405 to go towards disaster relief in San Francisco, California. Roosevelt has given the check to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Charles Hallam Keep as he is Treasurer of the Red Cross.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-04
President Roosevelt gives Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf a list of people to meet with in San Francisco, California, once he arrives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
President Roosevelt feels that Stanford University has been hard hit by the recent San Francisco earthquake and fire, and tells University President David Starr Jordan that he felt the damage to Stanford “with peculiar keenness because the sight of it impressed me so vividly.” Roosevelt hopes the university will still have some of its former beauty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-27
President Roosevelt sends his greetings to, and best wishes for the success of, the Earthquake Sufferers’ Relief Fund Benefit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-26
President Roosevelt has received the telegram sent by San Francisco Mayor Eugene E. Schmitz and others in the wake of the San Francisco earthquake and fire, and notifies him of a proclamation that he has just issued regarding disaster relief for the city which urges further charitable contributions be given not to the Red Cross, but rather to local committees. Roosevelt also informs Schmitz of other efforts that are currently in progress to send assistance to the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-25