Standard Oil Company

Nathan Bijur tells President Roosevelt that Adolph Lewisohn will soon be in Washington, D.C., and that he would appreciate an invitation to speak with Roosevelt. Even though Lewisohn is a copper magnate and involved with Standard Oil, he is a staunch supporter of Roosevelt. Bijur also tells Roosevelt that Simon Wolf spoke to him and Cyrus L. Sulzberger about a matter that Roosevelt had suggested to him previously. Wolf expects to talk to Roosevelt when he returns to Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-07

Sheet music for “Standard Oil,” a song about John D. Rockefeller and his history with Standard Oil. One verse mentions President Roosevelt and his efforts to break up the company. Cover is red, white, and black with a can of oil, a sign “J.D.R.,” and Uncle Sam. At the top of the cover, the sheet music is “dedicated to Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis.”

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1907

Williams Jennings Bryan, dressed as a mother, protects infant Oklahoma Governor Haskell, whose bottle is an oil can labeled “Standard Oil,” from the menaces of President Roosevelt. Bryan says, “You shall not touch the che-e-ild!” Roosevelt replies, “Have a care! You will rue this day!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-1911

In the script for an economic policy speech to be delivered at the Cincinnati Music Hall before many captains of industry, President Roosevelt argues that the trusts are a natural result of the prosperity brought by the Industrial Revolution and that we cannot pride ourselves on progress while denouncing the men whose “commanding business ability” made it possible. He uses the example of how one can control the Mississippi River’s flooding but not prevent it; therefore, America cannot end corporations but can and must study and regulate them. Roosevelt urges calm, informed evolution on the issue of trusts, not rancorous revolution. Labeling the “demagogic denunciation of wealth” to be unwholesome and even dangerous, he asserts that the public’s objection to any corporation should be based on its conduct, not its size or wealth. Roosevelt opposes lifting tariffs for trust-made goods, as that would hurt smaller producers and wage workers more than the trusts. Since most trusts conduct interstate commerce, Roosevelt recommends federal oversight, calling for legislative solutions and perhaps a constitutional amendment. He reminds the crowd that, as part of the executive branch, he is limited in his ability to stop the trusts alone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-20

In this economic policy speech at the Cincinnati Music Hall, President Roosevelt begins by joking about how he messed up the opening music by requesting “Garryowen,” which the band apparently did not know how to play. Roosevelt argues that the trusts are a natural result of the prosperity brought by the Industrial Revolution and that we cannot pride ourselves on progress and prosperity while denouncing the men who made this possible. He compares the present situation to flood control; just as one can control the Mississippi River’s flooding but not prevent it, so too America cannot end corporations but can study and regulate them so that they can “subserve the public good.” Roosevelt urges calm, informed evolution on the issue of trusts, not rancorous revolution and asserts that the public’s objection to any corporation should be based on its conduct, not its size or wealth. He advocates for free trade, noting that the lifting of tariffs for trust-made goods would hurt smaller producers and wage workers more than the trusts. Since most trusts conduct interstate commerce, he recommends federal oversight, calling for legislative solutions and perhaps a constitutional amendment. He reminds the crowd that, as part of the executive branch, he is limited in his ability to stop the trusts alone. Roosevelt encourages the crowd not to “be made timid or daunted by the size of the problem” and concludes with the assertion that “all men, rich and poor alike, shall obey the law alike and receive its protection alike.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-20

Full color political cartoon depicting President Roosevelt dressed as Aaron, the Biblical figure, laying his hands on the head of a goat representing Standard Oil. The goat has a bell labeled “Prosecution” around its neck and is carrying many bundles that represent other trusts. William Jennings Bryan and William Randolph Hearst are nearby and appear to be clapping.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1907

Draft of a speech with handwritten corrections. Theodore Roosevelt contrasts the Progressive Party platform with the positions of President Taft and Governor Wilson, with a particular focus on trusts, labor policy, and judicial power. Roosevelt also defends himself against allegations that the Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company was illegally acquired by the United States Steel Corporation during his presidency.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912

Theodore Roosevelt wants several letters looked up regarding when Frank B. Kellogg notified William Loeb about the Standard Oil Company. Kellogg is convinced that the notification did not take place in 1904.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-09-05

Theodore Roosevelt asks William Loeb to find the letters at Sagamore Hill and submit them to the committee. He also requests that Loeb search for evidence that Roosevelt wrote to Mr. Sheldon and William H. Taft protesting against contributions from the Standard Oil Company before the 1908 election. Loeb should also testify about the Edward Henry Harriman incident and the meetings with John D. Archbold if he recalls them.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-09-11

Theodore Roosevelt has decided that it would be better for him to take the letter books to the committee. William Loeb can submit copies and should travel to Oyster Bay, New York, to find and examine the letter books. Loeb should not copy the letters from Frank B. Kellogg related to political contributions from the Standard Oil Company. Roosevelt will submit these letters himself. Roosevelt does not believe that Loeb was present at the John D. Archbold interviews but he was present during the Edward Henry Harriman interview. He recalls Harriman requesting funds from the National Committee for Mr. Higgins’s election, as well as requesting that Chauncey M. Depew be appointed Ambassador to France. Roosevelt asks if Loeb’s recollection of the meeting is similar.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1912-09-15

John D. Rockefeller clings to a cross-shaped statue labeled “Clerical Apologist for Standard Oil” standing on a rock labeled “Hypocrisy” in rough seas labeled “Sea of Public Censure.” The statue is illuminated by rays labeled “Standard Oil Cash” beaming through dark clouds.

comments and context

Comments and Context

There are two related subtexts to this powerful cartoon by Udo J. Keppler; or, rather one subtle theme that was at the time manifested by two public figures.

Theodore Roosevelt discusses the duty of the American people to stand up and be heard if they believe in the Progressive cause. He explains the corruption that both the Republican and Democratic parties have allowed to enter into American politics and how a vote for the Progressive Party will combat that. He also explains recent testimony in Congress given by Pennsylvania Senator Boies Penrose and John D. Archbold of Standard Oil Company. While those two men were testifying against Roosevelt, they were in fact testifying for actions taken by Cornelius Newton Bliss when he was treasurer of the Republican Party.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1912-09-22

Theodore Roosevelt addresses John D. Archbold’s accusations that Roosevelt, when president, gave Standard Oil Company the “Abyssinian Treatment.” Roosevelt said he did indeed do so to the Standard Oil Company and he would do so again to any big trust that requires it. Roosevelt notes that Archbold is not afraid of being ignored or regulated by the current administration or by the Democrats, but he fears that Roosevelt and the Progressive Party, the party of the people, will act, which is why he has attacked Roosevelt during his testimony in Congress.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1912-09-22

President Roosevelt tells Judge Dayton he hears that some delegates may try to nominate Roosevelt rather than Secretary of War William H. Taft for President at the Republican National Convention. He hears, but does not believe, it may be due to pressure from the Standard Oil Company. Roosevelt asks Dayton to speak to the men in question and let them know they are not to try to nominate Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1908-05-28