Your TR Source
On behalf of William G. Spencer, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt asks C. N. Jordan if there is any possibility of a promotion for Spencer. Roosevelt speaks to Spencer’s trustworthiness and work ethic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-28
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs James Harrison Wilson that John B. O’Brien is in the Treasury Department and, therefore, he cannot help him. Roosevelt awaits hearing how he can cooperate with Wilson following his telegram. He told Henry V. Boynton to arrange the committee and notify him of anything he can do.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-04
George Washington Towle asks Theodore Roosevelt if he understands the proposed legislation regarding the country’s banking interests. He discusses the two purposes of commercial banks and the “evil possibilities” of Nelson W. Aldrich’s proposal. Such legislation would put money under the control of a few powerful bankers, just as in Europe. The potential outcome would be worse than the Panic of 1907.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-14
William Williams, the Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island, answers several of Theodore Roosevelt’s questions about the way that immigrants are classified by race when they enter the United States. He explains in depth the distinctions between various categories of people coming from Russia, and clarifies that “Hebrews” are classed based on their race, and not on their Jewish faith. The country does not track the religions of immigrants. Williams is unable to fully discuss the classification of Cuban, West Indian, or Spanish American immigrants at present.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-15
Howard H. Gross writes to Theodore Roosevelt concerning the National Soil Conservation and Welfare League, as he hopes to conduct a ten-year campaign, if necessary, to promote agriculture and raise sentiment to gain funds from the state and national treasury. Gross hopes to get trained agriculturist in all agricultural counties to assist farmers. Gross invites Roosevelt to join the advisory committee of the organization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-14
Heinrich A. Paffrath, a factory owner in Germany, informs Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou that he has ample evidence that Salt’s Textile Manufacturing Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, has underreported their yarn imports. After being contracted to produce yarn, Paffrath details how Salt’s sabotaged his business and how business relations broke down. Paffrath explains that the company has done irreparable damage to his own factory, resulting in its closure, and asks if the U.S. government would consider compensating him for the losses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-19
Owen Wister asks President Roosevelt to wait to appoint the “lay” member of the Mint Assay Commission because he has someone “honorable, eminent, and apt” to suggest for the role.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-12
Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou has received William Loeb’s letter regarding whether Cortelyou would consider being the delegate from the First Congressional District to the Republican National Convention. Cortelyou would prefer not to be considered for this position, and thinks that someone who will represent the constituents of the first district should be chosen. The treasury department has had to dismiss T. Aubrey Byrne, about whom District Attorney William J. Youngs spoke to Loeb.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-24
Charles P. Taft warns Secretary of War William H. Taft that Ohio Revenue Collector Bernhard Bettmann’s office is full of “Foraker people” who work against him, alongside three or four Taft supporters. They plan to get up rump conventions in order to have two sets of delegates in certain districts, including the sixth. Charles P. Taft told his informant to lay the issue before Commissioner Arthur I. Vorys, but they must make it known the Federal offices will not line up on Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker’s side.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-24
Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou is glad to go over his statement about the actions of Department of the Treasury with President Roosevelt. The resolution passed by the Senate Committee will be an opportunity for Cortelyou to submit a full and comprehensive report, which he knows is of great importance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-14
The Department of the Treasury is in dire straits and cannot make further deposits or withdraw from previously-made deposits without the risk of exacerbating the current financial crisis. Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou therefore suggests issuing Panama bonds and certificates of indebtedness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-16
Frederick Getman Fincke believes the allegations Charles W. Darling has made against Secretary of the Treasury Ellis H. Roberts and describes Roberts’s poor reputation in his hometown of Utica, New York. Fincke will go into further detail on Roberts’s low character when he meets with President Roosevelt in person on November 13.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-28
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury John H. Edwards sends President Roosevelt financial reports for the past six fiscal years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-24
Max Frost notifies William H. Andrews that he has mailed copies of the New Mexican newspaper and has filed the appropriate documents with the State Department and other departments in the U.S. Treasury Building. Andrews can verify these statements for himself. Governor George Curry will arrive in Washington soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou thanks President Roosevelt for allowing him to read Henry Lee Higginson’s letter. Cortelyou opines that Higginson’s “letter is a very plain and practical one in many respects.” He agrees that it is important to consider “the amount of money carried by the people.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-01
Henry Lee Higginson offers President Roosevelt his opinions and critiques about current economic policies in the United States, especially pertaining to the Treasury Department and to railroads. Higginson believes the Treasury should circulate more money and is against the policy of holding it out of circulation. He also believes that railroad owners and investors should be able to reap the benefits of the risks they take in investing in railroad stock.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-24
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw writes to President Roosevelt about F. E. Lyford’s suggestion that the government should accept certified checks instead of requiring currency. According to Shaw, requiring cash does not contribute to the “nonelastic character of our present currency system,” and he does not agree with Lyford’s recommendations regarding national bank notes. Shaw claims that Lyford has not sufficiently analyzed the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-01
The writer asserts that Max Pracht and W. Scott Smith are “working together” and offers evidence. Pracht was suspended from the Land Office for insubordination and sought help from Senator John H. Mitchell; but when Mitchell was unable to help, Pracht turned to Smith and Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock to obtain his current post at the War Department. Events discussed since then by Pracht could only be known through a source close to the Secretary of the Interior such as Smith.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw writes to President Roosevelt that if anyone goes to Europe to investigate customs issues, he should report to the Secretary of the Treasury, not to the Secretary of State.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-30
Secretary of the Treasury Shaw responds to press coverage of the Treasury Department’s policies. Shaw argues that more money is needed in the summer due to higher demand for hard currency. Despite the opposition to the increase by opponents of Wall Street, Shaw says he has heard from many in business who appreciated his actions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-27