Description:

Theodore Roosevelt TLS Re: Inland Waterways Commission, "failure by the Congress to act will be inexcusable"

TLS, 1p of a bifolium, measuring 7" x 8.75", dated May 13, 1908, Washington, D.C. A letter from President Theodore Roosevelt to the chairman of the Inland Waterways Commission Theodore E. Burton. Within, Roosevelt is adamant about the continuation of the Commission's work, and is disappointed that Congress has yet to pass a bill in its favor. Boldly signed in full at conclusion as "Theodore Roosevelt". The letter exhibits moderate water staining and expected surface creasing throughout. Isolated foxing present to right side of first page, with other scattered areas on verso. Signature has been largely unaffected. Interesting contents!

In full:

"I do not yet understand why a bill to continue the Waterways Commission has not already been past, and why it should have been left to this late day in the session to pass one. Of course there can be literally no excuse for failure to pass some such simple measures as that discust [sic] last evening, a copy of which I enclose and which Pinchot tells me has been amended in accordance with your own suggestion.

Of course I should continue the present Commission in any event, making any needed changes in the personnel. But failure by the Congress to act will be inexcusable, and failure to make a hard fight for it on behalf of those of us who sincerely believe in the measure hardly more excusable."

The Inland Waterways Commission was created by Congress in March 1907 at the request of President Roosevelt to investigate the transportation crisis that had recently affected the nation's ability to move its produce and industrial production efficiently. The existing railway system in the United States was no longer able to transport crops and other goods rapidly enough, so Roosevelt turned to inland waterways for a potential solution. In turn, the Commission's aim was to analyze the nation's rivers to determine the environmental effects of creating a large-scale transportation system that could supplement existing infrastructure.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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