Standard Oil Company

President Roosevelt writes to Attorney General Bonaparte regarding the hasty Interstate Commerce Commission report. Bonaparte has received censure from the New York press for criticizing Standard Oil. Roosevelt discusses how he distrusts Senator Eugene Hale and is disgusted by his lack of patriotism in criticizing the Army and Navy. The postscript describes judgeships and appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-13

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Recipient

Patterson, Thomas MacDonald, 1839-1916

President Roosevelt explains the poor conditions of the construction of several battleships as well as several navy practices that should be assimilated to that of the army’s equivalent. He was impressed by the officers and the food aboard ship, and also has some ideas on how to better the lives of the crew after their service is over.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-28

President Roosevelt tells Lyman Metcalfe Bass that, while he believes his testimonials were excellent, he is not yet prepared to say “just what effect the Standard Oil business may produce in connection with the appointment [of U.S. Attorney for the District of Western New York].” Roosevelt explains that he must consider the effects of appointing Bass instead of Mr. Dempsey. Though Roosevelt thinks highly of Bass, he iterates that he must first consider what is best for the administration of the Department of Justice. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-30

President Roosevelt informs Lyman Metcalfe Bass of a complication with his employment. U.S. Attorney General William H. Moody has informed Roosevelt that Bass’s law firm has been engaged with the Standard Oil Company and advises against Bass’s appointment. Before coming to any conclusions on the matter, Roosevelt wishes to first hear from Bass. Roosevelt notes that Bass’s district is the one in which they are “bringing Standard Oil south.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-19

President Roosevelt congratulates Senator Lodge on his speech, as well as one from former Governor of Massachusetts John Lewis Bates. Roosevelt recently gave a speech in Harrisburg, and although he would not denounce his opponents by name, he calls out the “demagogs” and “agitators.” Roosevelt is concerned that the “corporation men” are swayed to vote for the Democratic candidates, believing the Republican party is likely to impose government regulations opposed to their interests. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-08

President Roosevelt briefly follows up with Attorney General Moody on several issues, including an ice matter, acting against Standard Oil, and guidance on spelling reform.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-13

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock letters from Representative J. S. Sherman and Fulton and requests Hitchcock provide a statement about the Cherokee payment. He chastises Hitchcock and Governor Frank Wayland Higgins for publishing his correspondence with them and discusses the potential political fallout.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-27

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock a letter he received on behalf of Theodore N. Barnsdall regarding the leasing of oil and gas lands in Indian Territory and Oklahoma. As Roosevelt is not especially familiar with the issue, he asks Hitchcock for his opinion on the matter, and will likely solicit opinions from other members of the cabinet as well. Roosevelt outlines the various leases, sub-leases, and agreements Barnsdall entered into in involvement in the oil and gas trade. Roosevelt asks for detailed comments on the various points of the letter so that he will be able to respond knowledgeably. In a postscript, he also asks Hitchcock to send a copy of this letter to Alban B. Butler for his commentary, as he is a reputable, independent oil operator who can offer his knowledge of the issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-18

President Roosevelt writes to Commissioner of Corporations Garfield regarding the results of his investigations into railroad rates. While open rates do not appear to be unlawful, they are a strong argument for the passage of the railroad rate bill currently being considered by Congress. Roosevelt asks for a list of the secret rates that were not discontinued before the publication of the report, as well as a list of cases Rudolph believes should be presented to the Department of Justice for possible action. Roosevelt believes future development on this issue will involve antitrust law instead of interstate commerce law, as the government examines if there is “any radical remedy for the existence of a great corporation acting as the Standard Oil Company has been shown by your report to act.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-31

President Roosevelt sends Senator Lodge a history of the Chandler-Bailey-Tillman matter regarding the passage of the Hepburn Act.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-19

President Roosevelt tells Ray Stannard Baker that while he agrees that it would be better to give the Interstate Commerce Commission the power to fix definite, rather than maximum, railroad rates, Attorney General William H. Moody believes that this power is unconstitutional. Roosevelt believes it is better to pass a constitutional law allowing for maximum rates, and then, if it is a success, to pass the definite rate law as an amendment. Then even if the Supreme Court declared the amendment unconstitutional, the maximum rate law would still stand.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-13

President Roosevelt has been told that the Standard Oil Company has donated $100,000 to his presidential campaign. Roosevelt says if this is true, the money must be returned in order not to give the appearance of an “improper obligation” to the company. In returning the money, he wishes to assure the company that “there is not the slightest personal feeling against them.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-26

President Roosevelt wishes to return Standard Oil Company’s campaign donation immediately, especially since it appears that the company’s “political attitude” is of great public importance. Additionally, Standard Oil is against the United States Bureau of Corporations, which Roosevelt considers one of his most important accomplishments. Roosevelt does not want any public announcement made about the situation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-27

President Roosevelt will contact George B. Cortelyou to have the Standard Oil tag put on.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-06

President Roosevelt is lucky to have identified the Cape May Warbler as John Burroughs has not seen one. Burroughs is glad that Roosevelt enjoyed his Atlantic article and is sending a copy of his article in the Cosmopolitan. Burroughs advocates doing something about the “unfair advantages” that have benefited Standard Oil.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-10

A list of cases where Standard Oil has been charging various railroads secret rates without approval from the Interstate Commerce Commission. These cases may be targets for prosecution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906

Gifford Pinchot writes to Theodore Roosevelt about the passage of the Walsh Bill. Max W. Ball and his colleagues are opposed to the Bill because it does not give large enough units to private corporations for development. When opponents to the Walsh Bill mention Standard Oil, “they want to be in on the grabbing themselves,” says Pinchot.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-01-25

Governor Stubbs advocates for greater regulation of big business and the prohibition of selling stocks that have not been approved by federal or state government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-03-11

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