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William Emlen Roosevelt writes to President Roosevelt arguing the right of the U.S. to control all cable landing rights and the establishment of wireless stations on the coast of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-01
President Roosevelt observes two men, holding a pitchfork with a “Nobel Peace Medal” attached to it, and gestures that he wants no part of their argument. A “telegrapher” and “telegraph company” are arguing over downed lines. Meanwhile, a teddy bear watches from a haystack, “Me for the haystack!”
The point of Clifford Kennedy Berryman’s cartoon is one that is often missed by history and historians: President Roosevelt intervened in labor/management disputes, but was not constrained to do so in every instance. When private businesses and employees, or unions, had disagreements that did not represent situations where fundamental fairness was threatened, the president felt no compunction to interfere.
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Senator Richard F. Pettigrew of South Dakota for his letter and for the copy of Mr. Williams’ letter. Roosevelt will make use of Williams’ suggestions for the Columbus program and relays his support for government ownership of railroads and telegraph lines in Alaska.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-25
President Roosevelt sends Emperor Meiji of Japan a telegram of goodwill and friendship over the newly completed telegraph cable between Guam and Japan.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-25
William Emlen Roosevelt informs President Roosevelt that he has learned that all United States government telegrams sent through the West India and Panama Telegram Company are shown to the British consul at Panama. He advises that American messages be kept in American hands as much as possible. He also writes that he has been to Oyster Bay, New York, and his well is flowing. He will investigate the problems with President Roosevelt’s well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-10
Henry Martyn Hoyt responds to a request from President Roosevelt for legal advice concerning Japan’s request to lay a cable from Yokohama, Japan, to Guam. Because of Japan’s conflict with Russia, its telegraphic communications with other nations have been suspended. Hoyt discusses whether it would be seen as “hostility” toward Russia if the United States, as a neutral nation, grants Japan’s request. From a legal standpoint, he sees no reason why the U.S. should not grant the request.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-24
Illustration showing Jay Gould as the Devil holding a paper labeled “Majority of Stock”, standing outside an office labeled “Successor to Satan”; he is presiding over the “Hades & World Lightning Transportation Line” which is a railroad train headed for a station labeled “Terminus – President Jay Gould.” The locomotive is labeled “Crasher” and uses “Brimstone” for fuel, a passenger car is labeled “Only Anti-Monopolists Carried,” also the “Sulphuric Telegraph Co. – Gould Pres.” which has many devil-like demons stringing wire cables on telegraph poles and an office where telegraph operators work at desks beneath a sign that states “Any Imp who attempts to strike will be transferred to the Western Union Company”, as well as “The Bottomless Pit Roasting Co. – Jay Gould, Pres.” where an “Anti-Monopolist editor”, “Puck”, and “Thurber” are roasted “in effigy.” At bottom, a man labeled “Satan Janitor”, with bandages, carries a scuttle filled with brimstone, a watering-can labeled “Kerosene”, a broom, and a key ring, skulks down the steps from Gould’s office. Caption: How the place will be run, two years after Jay Gould’s arrival.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-09-19
Clarence H. Mackay thanks President Roosevelt for his message and hopes that the Pacific cable will increase commerce for the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-04
The United States Senate requested information on any contracts and negotiations relating to the landing of foreign telegraphic cables upon the shores of the U.S. This document summarizes and transcribes pertinent documents, including those related to the first such cable, which connected the island of Cuba with the State of Florida in 1867.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1885-01-27