United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

President Roosevelt tells A. D. Melvin, chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, that he is pleased to learn of the proposed cooperation between the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Conservation Commission. Roosevelt asks Melvin, in recognition of the important work of the Commission, to have the employee delegated to assist with this task relieved of other duties for the duration of the cooperation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt shows Senator Proctor similar typos in three telegrams regarding an announcement by the Bureau of Animal Industry, and explains that what the author meant to say was that he urged the announcement of Government inspection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt believes the telegrams that Senator Burkett sent him could all have been prepared by the same person, as they all contain very similar messages asking Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson and the Bureau of Animal Industry to announce that “government inspection is thorough and covers domestic and foreign meats.” To do this immediately, Roosevelt says, would be lying, and the only way to comply with these requests is to enact a rigorous law allowing such an announcement to be made.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends Congressman Wadsworth the reports of an inspection made by a committee appointed by the Department of Agriculture into conditions at meat packinghouses. Prior to the completion of these inspections, Roosevelt ordered a similar investigation be made by Commissioner of Labor Charles Patrick Neill and James Bronson Reynolds. Their report is not yet concluded and contains some details not touched upon by the Department of Agriculture’s reports, but there is no significant disagreement in the two studies. Roosevelt believes that the simple fact of investigations into conditions at the packinghouses has already produced beneficial changes, and provides the text of a letter attesting to this. In order to continue this improvement of conditions, Roosevelt calls for “immediate, thoroughgoing and radical enlargement of the powers of the Government in inspecting all meats which enter into interstate and foreign commerce.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-08

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Representative Wadsworth that since they last spoke, he has seen reports from the Dairy and Food Commissioner of Pennsylvania Benjamin H. Warren that bear out the report of Charles Patrick Neill and James Bronson Reynolds. Roosevelt emphasizes his hope that the Beveridge bill will be passed in its current form. He feels justified in not yet making the matter public, as the investigations are still ongoing, but this is contingent on legislation being passed to ensure the betterment of conditions. Roosevelt makes suggestions on how to potentially organize a Bureau of Animal Industry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-29

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt asks Secretary of Agriculture Wilson to note the enclosed clipping about Solicitor George P. McCabe’s report on veterinarian D. E. Salmon. Roosevelt is not happy with Salmon’s connection with George E. Howard and his printing company. Even if Salmon did not profit from the situation, the connection was not proper.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

George W. Robertson recently took the civil service examination to be meat inspector for the Bureau of Animal Industry. As a veteran, he believes he should benefit from a preference clause that would secure him the meat inspector position. He asks Theodore Roosevelt for any advice or assistance on the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-05

Creator(s)

Robertson, George W. (George Washington), 1872-1941

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919