Social problems | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Letter from George von Lengerke Meyer to Theodore Roosevelt

Ambassador Meyer notifies President Roosevelt of the social problems unfolding in Russia at the prospect of granting concessions to the Jewish people. The proposed bill would allow every Jewish person who finishes his military service to move freely throughout the country, although Jewish people would still not be permitted to own land outside the Pale of Settlement. The “Jewish problem” is a difficult one for the Russian Cabinet to solve. Meyer thinks it will not be settled by foreign intervention, but by the country’s financial necessities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-26

Letter from William H. Fleming to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Fleming approves of President Roosevelt’s treatment of the “race problem,” and he thinks the appointment of a commission to investigate facts and make recommendations about racial tensions would be useful. Fleming says some political factions will oppose the commission because they “do not wish to have the light turned on.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-02

T.R.’s “Man With the Muckrake” Speech: A New Interpretation

Howard A. Sobel asserts that President Roosevelt condemned some of the radical journalists of the early twentieth century in his 1906 speech “The Man With the Muckrake” because he believed that their efforts only produced anger and division and did not promote constructive reforms achieved through the political process. Sobel stresses that Roosevelt believed in steady, gradual reforms that would address wrongs and curb public anger that could lead to class divisions and anarchy. Sobel argues that Roosevelt’s approach to reform can be seen in his biographies of Gouverneur Morris and Thomas Hart Benton.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1975

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anne Tucker

Theodore Roosevelt tells Anne Tucker that he does not believe there is anything he can do and that he must not jump into reforms. Roosevelt also invites her for lunch or dinner in the fall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-01

She’s all right

An angel labeled “National Credit” with wings labeled “Sound Financial Policy” and “Repeal of Sherman Silver Law” rises above the flames of the wreck of the “U.S. Treasury.” Among the wreckage lie William McKinley bowled over by the “McKinley Bill,” John Sherman being crushed under the weight of large silver coins, Green B. Raum sitting in an empty safe labeled “U.S. Treasury,” with Benjamin Harrison and Charles Foster hanging onto the safe, and William A. Peffer among the lumber on the left.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-09-27

A program for America (II)

Theodore Roosevelt discusses the problem of unemployment and possible solutions. He says it is the responsibility of the government to address the issue and makes the distinction between unemployment due to lack of industry and unemployment for other reasons. The security of an employment market and the freedom to work are essential to the country’s success. He admonishes the government for not taking action to alleviate the problem and makes several proposals to revive employment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-26

Conditions of unemployment in New York

Theodore Roosevelt describes the conditions of a lodging house he visited recently in New York with Frances Kellor. Many of the men there are unemployed simply because there is no work available. There is a distinction, Roosevelt says, between those who desire work but are unemployed and those who are unemployable. He argues that it is the government’s responsibility to provide relief measures for the unemployed by creating work, and he makes recommendations for charitable actions that can be taken by local organizations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-26

Homelessness and unemployment

Theodore Roosevelt explains his visits to the unemployed and homeless in New York lodging houses. He says that unemployment is a “social and industrial crisis” and praises the work of the Federation of Churches in New York City to alleviate the problem. The mayor has appointed a committee on unemployment and Roosevelt intends to give a lecture at the Metropolitan Opera House, with proceeds benefiting the unemployed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-26

Unemployment

Theodore Roosevelt discusses the conditions of a lodging house he visited recently in New York with Frances Kellor. Many of the men there are unemployed simply because there is no work available. There is a distinction, Roosevelt says, between those who desire work but are unemployed and those who are unemployable. He says it is the government’s responsibility to provide relief measures for the unemployed by creating work and he makes recommendations for charitable actions that can be taken by local organizations. Typed draft with handwritten edits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-26