Your TR Source
President Roosevelt has learned that the Army Corps of Engineers has been compiling a report on the waterways project from St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico. He instructs Secretary of War Wright that no such report should be made public before it is submitted to the Waterways Commission and receives Roosevelt’s authorization.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-28
President Roosevelt tells Franklin K. Lane of the Interstate Commerce Commission that he believes the commission should have absolute power over the railroads in raising and lowering rates. He would like a case to come up where the commission would raise a rate, as all cases thus far have involved lowering rates. The commission should not hesitate to adjust rates in either direction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-27
President Roosevelt sends Representative Burton a report from the War Department concerning water power. He would like to have the views of the Inland Waterways Commission on the report by April 1.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-18
President Roosevelt notifies Secretary of War Taft that there are currently many bills granting rights to develop water-power on government-held waterways, but that these do not mention compensation to the government for these water-rights as they should. Until he has more complete information about the effects of developing water power, Roosevelt says he will veto any bills to that do not make this provision. He directs Taft to instruct the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare a report on a number of questions regarding the construction of dams and water-power, which will then be given to the Inland Waterways Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-16
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Colonel George W. Goethals for Secretary of State Root. As Roosevelt understands the situation, the State Department has assumed the position that Panama has no authority over the entryways into the canal or the canal itself, which is entirely under United States control.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-24
President Roosevelt acknowledges the invitation of the governors of Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, to make a trip on the Mississippi River with the Inland Waterways Commission. He reflects on the importance of the nation’s rivers as “highways” for products to supply any inadequacy of means of transportation over land. He intends to travel with the Commission down the Mississippi for three or four days in October. A note at the bottom of the letter indicates that it was sent to each of the governors who signed the invitation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-16
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
English
Martin A. Shale asks Theodore Roosevelt for his opinion and information on constructing a waterway from Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico in preparation for an academic debate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-30
Grant Foreman sends Theodore Roosevelt “a copy of the Fifth Annual Convention of the Lakes-to-the Gulf Deep Waterway Association” that was held in St. Louis, Missouri from November 25th to November 26th, 1910. Foreman draws Roosevelt’s attention to page 106 of the book, as he authored it and it is entitled “Inland Waterways and the Presidents.” Foreman’s article was submitted to The Outlook by J. F. Ellison, Secretary of the National Rivers and Harbors Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-15
President Roosevelt hands “Congress” three balls and points at the toys labeled “corrupt politics,” “island possessions,” “labor questions,” “waterways,” “legislative obstructions,” “disease microbes,” “national waste,” “swollen fortunes,” “dishonest wealth,” “unjust judges,” “inadequate wages,” and “inheritance tax.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-09
Two men–“Senate” and “House”–hold the “annual message to Congress” with many tabs sticking out of it: “judicial reform,” “forestration,” “trust regulation,” “army promotions,” “secret service,” “labor,” “parcel post,” “greater navy,” and “inland waterways.” President Roosevelt says, “For the last time, gentlemen!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-08
Several men row or pull on a raft with a sail that reads “Lakes to the Gulf Deep waterway project” following a sign “To Congress,” including William Jennings Bryan, William H. Taft, Theodore P. Shonts, and David R. Francis. President Roosevelt rows with his “big stick.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-10
A large crown sits perched atop a building with women holding various shields, including “Panama Canal,” “rate bill,” “prosecution of criminal trusts,” “regeneration of the Philippines.” At the top of the crown is a woman holding “conservation of natural resources” and “development of water ways.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-11
Alabama Governor Comer praises President Roosevelt after meeting with him, and describes his trip to Washington, D.C., and New York. The article notes that Comer made no mention of whether the railroad situation in Alabama was discussed at all.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-09
Theodore Roosevelt has invited members of the government, members of leading associations, and the Inland Waterways Commission to a Conference on the Conservation of Natural Resources. He also invites Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1908-04-20
President Roosevelt addresses the city of St. Louis, Missouri, advocating the financial benefits of thoughtful transportation development, drawing comparisons to the Suez and Panama Canals. Roosevelt also discusses the importance of maintaining and developing the Navy.
1907-10-02
W. L. Brown writes to Marcus Alonzo Hanna to recommend Lyman E. Cooley, an engineer of high training, to be appointed to the Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-28
Secretary of State Hay encloses dispatches regarding the invitation to Great Britain to form an international commission on the waters adjacent to the boundary line between the United States and Canada, provided by the River and Harbor Act of 1902.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-19