Your TR Source
This receipt from Jacob H. Schiff documents President Theodore Roosevelt’s $500 donation to the victims of the General Slocum accident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-21
An old and haggard “Justice” sits in a chair on a rock in the East River. Cobwebs have grown over her sword, scales, and an “Indictment.” In the background, the steamship General Slocum is engulfed in flames. (It burned on June 15, 1904, with a loss of over 1,000 lives.) Caption: “Slocum? Slocum? Where have I heard that name?”
This front-page cartoon is a brutal and stark presentation of the fact that the East River fire and sinking of the excursion boat the General Slocum — a maritime accident still recorded as one of worst disasters in New York City and United States history — had gone relatively neglected by investigators and responsible agencies. The public was properly outraged at the time of the sinking, but many properly thought that justice lagged.
Theodore Roosevelt believes there are ways to get the Wilson administration to defend the rights of Americans and take action for the sinking of the Lusitania and Ancona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-11-27
President Roosevelt has received the report of the commission investigating the General Slocum disaster, as well as the report of the Department of Justice. He sends both reports to Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf and summarizes what has been done in connection with the criminal proceedings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-12
President Roosevelt thanks General Wilson for his work on the commission investigating the disastrous sinking of the General Slocum, which claimed 1,021 lives. Roosevelt considers this type of service important and admirable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-12
President Roosevelt thanks Commander Winslow for his important and admirable service on the commission to investigate the disaster of the General Slocum, which sank in the East River in New York on June 15, 1904, killing 1,021 people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-12
President Roosevelt would like a report from Acting Secretary of Commerce and Labor Murray on the investigation of the General Slocum disaster. His request is in response to an editorial published on September 24, 1904, in the Washington Star titled “Self-Applied White Wash.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-25
President Roosevelt assures the president and secretary of the organization of the General Slocum survivors that he is establishing a commission to investigate the explosion on the ship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-31
President Roosevelt sends his deepest sympathies to Reverend Haas on the General Slocum disaster and the loss of many lives in his congregation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-15
Commissioner of Corporations Smith encloses the Commission’s report about the disaster aboard the General Slocum. He has delivered copies of the report to three press associations with instructions to quote a paragraph Roosevelt specified. The report will be made public on October 17.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-14
Cameron McRae Winslow sincerely thanks President Roosevelt for the letter praising his work on the commission investigating the Slocum Disaster. He promises that he will keep and treasure Roosevelt’s letter during his life, and that it will be passed down to his descendants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-15
President Roosevelt must reinforce the verdict of the Commission in regards to the case. Roosevelt reviews the members of the commission and highlights the Army and Navy representatives that were on the board. Governor Benjamin B. Odell and Judge Hasbrouck have spoken out on behalf of Inspector Robert S. Rodie in regards to his role in the sinking of the General Slocum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-12