Sherman Act (United States)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry F. Cochems

Theodore Roosevelt is pleased to receive the information about the Wisconsin voting results that Henry F. Cochems sent. Roosevelt then explains that he believes it was a mistake a paragraph was taken out of the plank dealing with the trust question. He condemns the Milwaukee Free Press as an “utterly unscrupulous and mendacious opponent” and attempting to cause mischief in the Progressive Party. He informs Cochems that they need to be careful regarding fighting in the Progressive Party, especially about George W. Perkins. He encloses a marked copy of his about Woodrow Wilson.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-11-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John Carter Rose

President Roosevelt does not think that he agrees with the compromise suggested by John Carter Rose, United States Attorney for the district of Maryland. Roosevelt wants executive officers to be given full powers regarding the Sherman Antitrust Act. He does not think the current law is wise, but it would be less wise to leave the matter to the courts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Low

President Roosevelt writes to Seth Low that he believes the Sherman law should be modified to permit business combination when the combination is not against the interests of the people. Roosevelt thanks Low for his comments about Roosevelt’s speeches and for his thoughts on the present situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-10-30

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt responds to Attorney General Moody that it appears nothing can be done regarding the case discussed in a previous letter. Roosevelt discusses the options and why they are not viable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry W. Taft

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Henry W. Taft about Alton Parker’s speech on trusts and common law. Roosevelt views Parker’s position as related to the Democratic state convention’s declaration that states, and not the federal government, should regulate trusts. To Roosevelt, this is an abandonment of every effective attempt by the nation to regulate trusts, and he notes that it could result in Parker receiving several million in campaign donations from Wall Street.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Gurney Cannon

President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Gurney Cannon, Chairman of the Notification Committee, to formally accept his nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and to approve the platform adopted by the Republican National Convention. In the letter, Roosevelt provides a comprehensive defense of his foreign and domestic policies and outlines what he believes are the major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in the upcoming election. Roosevelt discusses, among other topics, his position on international relations, antitrust legislation, tariffs, the gold standard, pensions for Civil War veterans, the military, civil service, commerce, agriculture, taxation, and self-government in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard A. Anthony

President Roosevelt appreciates Richard A. Anthony’s letter and Attorney General Knox has officially repudiated the bill in question. The bill in question was a bill introduced in late January of 1904 by Joseph B. Foraker intended to weaken the Sherman Anti-Trust Law. Roosevelt invites Anthony to speak more about the matter in person, next time he is in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph Bucklin Bishop

President Roosevelt agrees that the Foraker amendment contains good and bad elements. However, it was foolish to introduce the amendment at this time. Roosevelt also condemns the Saturday Evening Post for their dishonesty.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles W. Fairbanks

President Roosevelt would like Senator Fairbanks to press for Philander C. Knox’s bill in order to expedite the hearings under the Sherman Act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-19

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Seth Low

President Roosevelt has spoken with the coal operators and miners, who will now be meeting together. Roosevelt agrees with Mayor Low’s telegram and letter regarding the coal strike and may make the telegram public in the future. Roosevelt disagrees with Chaplin’s thoughts on the coal strike set forth in the pamphlet and Attorney General Knox does not believe that the Sherman Act applies to the anthracite situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Joseph L. Bristow to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Bristow encloses a copy of his bill for the creation of an industrial commission. He views the commission as a combination of the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Comptroller of the Currency. Bristow describes various aspects of the bill and requests Theodore Roosevelt’s suggestions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-26

Creator(s)

Bristow, Joseph L. (Joseph Little), 1861-1944

Letter from Joseph L. Bristow to Theodore Roosevelt

At the suggestion of Senator Dixon, Senator Bristow provides observations on trusts, the judiciary, and the civil service that he would like to see incorporated into the platform of Theodore Roosevelt’s new party. He suggests amending the Sherman Act and advocates for widespread adoption of the initiative, referendum, and recall. Bristow would like to reorganize the federal courts to make them more responsive to modern conditions and public opinion. He would like the civil service to be based on an elective system to remove patronage and free the president to focus more on general public welfare as opposed to appointments. Bristow concludes by suggesting that the party only be referred to as the “progressive party” as this is more positive then the new or third party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-15

Creator(s)

Bristow, Joseph L. (Joseph Little), 1861-1944

Letter to Joseph M. Dixon

Several months ago a petition was prepared alleging that International Harvester was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act but President Taft prevented the petition from being filed. Taft’s action was supposedly to provide more time for negotiations to voluntary dissolve the company but negotiations have achieved nothing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-24

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Norman H. White to William H. Taft

Norman H. White contends that steamers paralleling railroad routes are contrary to the Sherman Act. He finds it odd that the case would be pursued by the Roosevelt administration and then dropped by President Taft and Attorney General Wickersham. White would like to hear Taft’s or Wickersham’s views on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-08

Creator(s)

White, Norman H.

Memorandum For Mr. Roosevelt

President Taft’s “friends” are claiming that the Taft administration cannot be blamed for the actions of the Standard Oil Company as Taft had to enforce the Sherman Act in accordance with the Supreme Court’s interpretation. A response is suggested noting that trust regulation was part of the platform that elected the current administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-11

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Frank Lambert Dingley to Theodore Roosevelt

Frank Lambert Dingley writes to Theodore Roosevelt to share his opinion about political and social progress. Dingley comments on Roosevelt’s recent positive reception and the fact it was predicted Roosevelt would be back in politics despite many believing he had retired. Dingley hopes to meet with Roosevelt soon, after his return from Washington D.C., where he will be meeting with many Republican and Progressive political leaders.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-14

Creator(s)

Dingley, Frank Lambert, 1840-1918

Letter from Charles Richard Van Hise to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles Richard Van Hise sends Theodore Roosevelt a syllabus of a speech he is giving at Harvard University. He wants to meet with Roosevelt while in New York. Van Hise suggests Roosevelt attend the conference during which, Charles McCarthy will propose an amendment to the Sherman act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-09

Creator(s)

Van Hise, Charles Richard, 1857-1918

Copies Of Telegraphic Correspondence With President Taft

Series of telegrams documenting the efforts of the National Cigar Leaf Tobacco Association and the Cigar Manufacturers’ Association of America to convince President Taft to examine the “Tobacco Trust” case that they believe violates the Sherman Act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-06

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Benjamin F. Scott to Theodore Roosevelt

Benjamin F. Scott wants Theodore Roosevelt to review the enclosed papers and send them to Secretary of State Philander C. Knox. He feels he was made a scapegoat by the Chicago coalmen in a car service matter on which they took legal action. Gallagher saw an opportunity to glorify himself. Scott wants Roosevelt to know he was not involved with Gallagher’s attack or the actions of others.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-05

Creator(s)

Scott, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin)

Letter from Charles A. Prouty to Theodore Roosevelt

Charles A. Prouty agrees with Theodore Roosevelt’s editorial that trusts and monopolies must be regulated by administrative rather than judicial means. He sends a copy of his recent speech. Prouty believes President William H. Taft is mistaken in his claim that the Sherman Act is a sufficient means of regulation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-03

Creator(s)

Prouty, Charles A. (Charles Azro), 1853-1921