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President Roosevelt accepts Mordecai T. Endicott’s resignation as the Navy’s Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. Roosevelt notes Endicott’s resignation will take effect “upon the date of the qualification” of his successor Civil Engineer Harry H. Rousseau.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-07
President Roosevelt asks Charles J. Bonaparte to communicate with Puerto Rico’s Commissioner to the United States Congress, Tulio Larrinaga, about some matter. Responding to inquiries from Bonaparte, Roosevelt indicates that Bonaparte and himself should be the “judges in connection with the reappointment of midshipmen.” He recommends Sampson and Capron be dropped “one class and no farther.” Roosevelt also makes several recommendations for naval appointments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-08
President Roosevelt invites F. T. Chambers to become a member of the newly-formed Advisory Board on Fuels and Structural Materials. The Board will investigate the properties and best methods of using the United States’s fuels and building materials.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-12
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt is glad that Secretary of the Navy Long favors the Armor Board going south. He tried to explain the situation to the constituents of certain congressmen and outlines a plan to prevent rumors about the Board discriminating against the South. Roosevelt discusses his decisions regarding the USS Newport. In a postscript, Roosevelt expresses the difficulty between not wanting to bother Long with matters he can attend to while not making it appear that he is arrogating power to decide questions he should not.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-18
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-15
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Weaver, W. D. (William Dixon), 1857-1919
English
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Navy Long that he issued the order to Francis T. Bowles and will think over the proposition to abolish the Yards and Docks by merging it with the Bureau of Construction and Repair. He discusses his initial thoughts that the plan is undesirable and comments on the question of dry docks and the matter of torpedo boats. Roosevelt believes sending French Ensor Chadwick to England to learn about naval administration would be beneficial. He will be with the squadron next week.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-04
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt updates Secretary of the Navy Long on several issues. He agrees with Long about the Bureau of Yards and Docks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-06
Charles J. Bonaparte communicates to the Commandants of the Navy Yards an order regarding rules for the amount of work required on Saturdays for mechanics, laborers, and civil servants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-06
Charles J. Bonaparte writes Theodore Roosevelt to express his concern regarding the wording of a provision in the Naval Appropriations Bill which would place limitations on the President’s selection of the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. The provision would allow for selection only from the Corps of Engineers, and only those with seven or more years active service. Bonaparte feels that placing such a limitation on the President is unwise.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-02
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte intends to revoke an order transferring civil engineers J. W. G. Walker and Frederic R. Harris from their post at the Naval Dock in Charleston, South Carolina, to other duties. Bonaparte explains his reasoning at length to President Roosevelt. John Dougherty, the president of the New York Jewell and Filtration Company, a contractor subject to the engineers’ review, had repeatedly requested that the engineers be removed. Walker was eventually transferred to a new post and subsequently requested an investigation into his transfer. The Department of the Navy is concerned about the publicity the transfer is receiving, and the inference being made that it was due to pressure from Dougherty. While the action in itself was appropriate and just, Bonaparte is going to revoke the order, to protect both public confidence in the Department of the Navy and the reputations of the two engineers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-12
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Darling writes to President Roosevelt to explain orders given to transfer civil engineers from a dry dock they were working on in Charleston. Leading citizens and officials in South Carolina protested this decision because they believed it was politically motivated. Darling explains that the transfer was ordered because of tension between the contractors and engineers. Rumors of the contracting company’s political influence were started by subordinates in the company and were exacerbated by a visit from Senator Lodge’s secretary, but Darling finds the rumors to be groundless.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-07
The report discusses the administrative organization of the Navy Department, noting that the chiefs of various bureaus all report the the Secretary of the Navy, who is a civilian. The writer advocates for streamlining the bureaucracy in the department to increase efficiency, and to place line officers and other men directly involved with battle and preparing the fleet for action in positions of greater authority.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-21