Memorandum on Hearst resolutions
Memorandum defending the government’s handling of the alleged coal combination and enforcement of the Sherman Act.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-04-21
Your TR Source
Trusts, Industrial--Government policy
A constructive suggestion
George W. Perkins argues that large corporations are necessary to a modern economy and should be regulated by strengthening the powers of the Department of Commerce and Labor.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Creation Date
1911-12-04
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Douglas Robinson
President Roosevelt encloses $25 as a donation for the Porcellian Club gate. Although fond of both George W. Perkins and Robert Bacon, Roosevelt believes they are wrong about the trust question and knows that William McKinley had been uneasy over the issue.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-10-04
Extract of President Roosevelt’s Speech at Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Theodore Roosevelt describes his approach for handling the trusts. He does not want to limit the industry of the United States and corporations that may be benefiting the country. Roosevelt believes there should be an amendment to the Constitution that gives the federal government more power in dealing with corporations.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-09
The industrial problems
President Roosevelt speaks to a crowd in Wheeling, West Virginia. After thanking and praising native Senator Nathan B. Scott for the introduction, Roosevelt discusses how America is living in a period of unparalleled prosperity and advancement in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. However, that prosperity comes with its own problems, namely those related to the rise of large, interstate corporations. He encourages the crowd to reject patent solutions or revolutionary reactions to the problems introduced by trusts. Rather, he asserts that the country must evolve, with the federal government regulating corporations, gaining facts and encouraging publicity but not opposing corporations as such. He compares the need to adapt the law to address trusts with the evolution of military arms and tactics; the means may change, but the need for citizen courage, honesty, and character remain.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-09-06
Address of President Roosevelt at Cincinnati, Ohio (prepared copy)
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
Address of President Roosevelt at Cincinnati, Ohio (delivered copy)
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
President is fearless
Newspaper article supporting President Roosevelt’s antitrust policy, including an anecdote about Roosevelt easily and rapidly ending a conference with a concerned J. Pierpont Morgan.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-05-11
A second Yorktown
In a scene reminiscent of the surrender at Yorktown, a man portrays Lord Cornwallis labeled “Special Privilege” offering his sword to President Wilson portraying George Washington, with William Jennings Bryan on the right and Oscar W. Underwood on the left. Standing behind the British officer are soldiers laying down their standards labeled “Monopoly, Tariff, Banking, Food Adulteration, Lobbyism, [and] Rail Road Rule.”
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1914-02-21
The morning after
President Wilson, as the father of the bride the day after the wedding, brushes confetti off of himself and addresses three figures. One labeled “The Trust Question” is sitting on the floor with a woman’s shoe on his head. The second figure, with a large coin for a head and labeled “Currency Question,” is sitting in a chair. The third, labeled “Mexican Question,” is attempting to help “Trust Question” to get to his feet. The floor is strewn with flowers, garlands, women’s shoes, rice, and confetti. Caption: The Bride’s Father — Let’s see, gentlemen; Where were we at?
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1913-11-26
Theodore Roosevelt’s reply to Mr. Bryan at Evansville, Indiana
Governor Roosevelt responds to questions raised by William Jennings Bryan regarding trusts, expansion of the military, and Filipino policy. He defends the Republican’s trust policy, an army of 100,000 men, and the legitimacy of the acquisition of the Philippines. Two copies, one with handwritten revisions.
Collection
Creation Date
1900-10-12
Making the old boy nervous
President Roosevelt takes on “The Trusts” for the “Small Producer.”
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
Creation Date
1904-12-30
Atlanta speech
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
Creation Date
1912
Speech of Gov. Roosevelt at St. Louis, Monday night, Oct. 9, 1900
In this speech draft with handwritten corrections, Governor Roosevelt campaigns against William Jennings Bryan and his policies. Bryan’s prophecies regarding the need for free silver have not come true and the country has prospered. Roosevelt advocates national action to combat the complex problems of trusts. He points out the plight of African Americans and that Bryan seems more concerned with the rights of the “bandits” in the Philippines. Roosevelt does not want the United States to shirk its duty in the Philippines and believes that liberty will come to the islands under the American flag.
Collection
Creation Date
1900-10-09
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Brooks Adams
President Roosevelt writes to Brooks Adams and expresses his opinion that the public must have some control over transportation and commerce. He adds that he agrees with Adams’ opinion that trade routes with Asia must stay open. Roosevelt gave the interview about Russia because he wanted people to understand the U.S. was in earnest.
Collection
Creation Date
1903-07-18
Drive the knife in up to the hilt
Political cartoon featuring President Roosevelt and Joseph L. Bristow wielding weapons, with Roosevelt’s knife labeled “Investigation,” against the wolves of post office graft, corrupt corporations, Panama Canal obstructionists, and evil trusts.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-12-03
Mr. Roosevelt
Newspaper article claiming that President Roosevelt’s attempts to regulate trusts and large corporations has paralyzed the economy.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-08-11
National supervision and industrial stability
Magazine article casting doubt on rumors that prominent capitalists, such as J. Pierpont Morgan, will oppose President Roosevelt’s policy of federal supervision of trusts and combinations.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-10-04
Letter from Edicott Peabody to Theodore Roosevelt
Endicott Peabody is thankful that President Roosevelt was not seriously injured in the carriage accident. He compliments Roosevelt on his stand against the corporations.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-09-05
Running amuck
Joseph Bucklin Bishop defends the Roosevelt administration’s decision not to “run amuck” among the country’s corporations in light of the Northern Securities decision. The Democrats are using this decision to attempt to prove that they are more anti-trust than Roosevelt but will only prove that they cannot be trusted to deal with business interests and the economy.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-03-17