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LIFE AND WORK OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL

 CHAPTER TWELVE

 RECORD IN THE WHITE HOUSE

The Panama Canal Problem Solved—Mr. Roosevelt's Conservation Policy—Praise from an Impartial Source— His Colonial Policy—The Standard Oil Fight—Consular Service Reformed—Appointed General Wood as Chief of Staff—Secret of Roosevelt's Success—Getting Close to the People.
No triumph of Theodore Roosevelt's strenuous and useful life was greater than that which he achieved in connection with the construction of the Panama Canal. When he set himself in earnest at the task, he laughed at obstacles and simply wiped them away. His approval of the purchase by the United States of the property of the old French Panama Canal Company, and his recognition of the new Republic of Panama and the creation of a Canal Zone under United States jurisdiction, were the important steps that started the great project on its way and led to its successful consummation. It took his powers of initiative, his energy, his farsightedness, and his knowledge and wise choice of the right men for the job, to put through the gigantic undertaking and bring our Atlantic and Pacific coasts within closer reach of each other, besides shortening the ocean routes for the commerce of the world.

In reviewing his administration of the Presidency for seven and one-half years, an authority of the greatest impartiality finds that the taking over of the Panama Canal project was Mr. Roosevelt's greatest single achievement, and adds:

"His critics said that his course in this matter was unconstitutional, although the question of constitutionality has never been raised before any national or international tribunal. The fact remains that the construction of the Panama Canal was undertaken to the practical satisfaction of the civilized world. But for Mr. Roosevelt's vigorous official action and his characteristic ability to inspire associates with enthusiasm, the canal would still be a subject of diplomatic discussion instead of a physical actuality."

Progress of the work on the Panama Canal was one of the great events of Roosevelt's second term, as the beginning of that project had been of his first term. Congress decided finally upon the lock type of canal in June, 1906, and work was pushed from that time.

His Conservation Policy
Another great achievement of President Roosevelt was the development of a national policy looking to the conservation of all the natural resources of the country. Of this policy and his intimate connection with it, the Encyclopedia Britannica takes the following unbiased view:

"If Mr. Roosevelt did not invent the term 'conservation,' he literally created as well as led the movement which made conservation in 1910 the foremost political and social question in the United States. The old theory was that the general prosperity of the country depends upon the development of its natural resources, a development which can best be achieved by private capital acting under the natural incentive of financial profits. Upon this theory public land was either given away or sold for a trifle by the nation to individual holders.

"While it is true that the building of railways, the opening of mines, the growth of the lumber industry and the settlement of frontier lands by hardy pioneers were rapidly promoted by this policy, it also resulted naturally in the accumulation of great wealth in the hands of a comparatively few men who were controlling lumber, coal, oil and railway transportation in a way that was believed to be a menace to the public welfare. Nor was the concentration of wealth the only danger of this policy; it led to the destruction of forests, the exhaustion of farming soils and the wasteful mining of coal and minerals, since the desire for quick profits, even when they entail risk to permanency of capital, is always a powerful human motive.

"Mr. Roosevelt not only framed legislation to regulate this concentration of wealth and to preserve forests, water power, mines and arable soil, but organized departments in his administration for carrying his legislation into effect. His official acts and the influence of his speeches and messages led to the adoption by both citizens and Government of a new theory regarding natural resources.

"His theory-is that the Government, acting for the people, who are the real owners of all public property, shall permanently retain the fee in public lands, leaving their products to be developed by private capital under leases which are limited in their duration and which give the Government complete power to regulate the industrial operations of the lessees."

In May, 1908, Mr. Roosevelt called a conference of the governors of all the States for the purpose of securing their support and co-operation in the conservation of natural resources, and succeeded in creating a strong public opinion to that desirable end. He thus laid the foundation for a vast amount of useful work which has since been accomplished by legislation and otherwise.

His Colonial Policy
In August, 1905, an insurrection broke out in Cuba which the existing Cuban government was powerless to quell. This Government was repeatedly asked by the then Cuban government to intervene, and finally was notified by the President of Cuba that he intended to resign. President Roosevelt sent ships to the island, and dispatched the Secretary of War, William H. Taft, and the Assistant Secretary of State to deal with the situation on the ground. The United States Government remained in the island longer than it had expected, but was replaced; by a new native government, under President Gomez, in January, 1909.

A policy of giving to the Filipinos a larger share of self-government was put through in 1906, and in 1907 the first Philippine Assembly was called to order by Secretary Taft.

"Strictly speaking, the United States has no colonial policy," according to the impartial authority already quoted in this chapter, "for the Philippine Islands and Porto Rico can scarcely be called colonies. It has, however, a policy of territorial expansion. Although this policy was entered upon at the conclusion of the Spanish war under the Presidency of Mr. McKinley, it has been very largely shaped by Mr. Roosevelt. He determined that Cuba should not be taken over by the United States, as all Europe expected it would be, and an influential section of his own party hoped it would be, but should be given every opportunity to govern itself as an independent republic; by assuming supervision of the finances of Santo Domingo he put an end to controversies in that unstable republic, which threatened to disturb the peace of Europe, and he personally inspired the body of administrative officials in the Philippines, in Porto Rico and (during the American occupancy) in Cuba, who for efficiency and unselfish devotion to duty compare favorably with any similar body in the world.

"In numerous speeches and addresses he expressed his belief in a strong colonial government, but a government administered for the benefit of the people under its control and not for the profit of the people at home. In this respect for the seven years of his administration at "Washington he developed a policy of statesmanship quite new in the history of the United States.''
The Standard Oil Fight
The suit for the dissolution of the Standard Oil Company was one of the most significant acts of the Roosevelt Administration; and, although this suit was not brought to a successful conclusion until 1911, the credit is due mainly to him. But more important in his own estimation, and from the standpoint of personal credit, was his work for the conservation of the natural resources of the country.

The culmination of a long series of addresses and messages on the railroads came in 1906 with the enactment of the Hepburn Kate law, which was supplementary to the Anti-Rebate law of 1903. The passage of this bill was largely due to popular indignation over the abuses of rebates, as was also the passage of the Pure Food law and the Meat Inspection act. An Employers' Liability law was passed at this session, but was declared unconstitutional and was replaced by a modified law in 1908.
An important step in respect to foreign relations was the reform of the diplomatic and consular services. An executive order of November 10, 1905, applied the merit system to promotions in both branches of the foreign service.

Diplomatic negotiations were begun and concluded whereby the Japanese immigration was restricted by the action of that country. With other nations, with Germany, and with England, minor disputes over the tariff and Niagara Falls were satisfactorily settled.

Another feature of the President's second Administration was the signing of the Oklahoma and Arizona statehood bills.

Colonel Roosevelt's interest in national preparedness was not confined to the naval service alone. During his first administration he succeeded in having Congress enact the first General Staff Act, and he promptly appointed as organizer and first chief of staff Major General Leonard Wood.

Mr. Roosevelt had laid the foundation for the staff by securing the removal of General Wood, then an army surgeon, from the medical service, and his appointment as commander of the famous regiment of "Rough Riders," which the former President organized at the outbreak of the war with Spain.

Some army officers have expressed the opinion that the importance of this first, though incomplete, victory over the bureaucratic system that had always ruled the War Department, was shown by the fact that it was not until 1919, with all the experience of the Great War as a foundation, that the Department was preparing with hopes of success to submit to Congress a bill providing for full General Staff control and responsibility for all army matters.
Achievements as President
President Roosevelt's elected term ended in 1909 after achievements of which the following are historical:
1.	Dolliver-Hepburn railroad act.
2.	Extension of forest reserve.
3.	National irrigation act.
4.	Improvement of waterways and reservation of water power sites.
5.	Employers' liability act.
6.	Safety appliance act.
7.	Regulation of railroad employees' hours of labor.
8.	Establishment of Department of Commerce and Labor.
9.	Pure food and drugs act.

10.	Federal meat inspection.
11.	Navy doubled in tonnage and greatly increased inefficiency.
12.	Battleship fleet sent around the world.
13.	State militia brought into co-ordination with the army.
14.	Canal  zone   acquired  and work  of  excavation pushed with increased energy.
15.	Development of civil self-government in insular possessions.
16.	Second intervention in Cuba; Cuba restored to the Cubans.
17.	Finances of Santo Domingo adjusted.
18.	Alaska boundary disputes settled.
19.	Reorganization of the consular service.
20.	Settlement of the coal strike of 1902. The Government upheld in the Northern Securities decision.
21.	Conviction of post office grafters and public land
thieves.
22.	Investigation of the sugar trust customs frauds and resulting prosecutions.
23.	Suits begun against the Standard Oil and tobacco companies and other corporations for violation of the Sherman anti-trust act.
24.	Corporations forbidden to contribute to political campaign funds.
25.	The door of China kept open to American commerce.
26.	The settlement of the Russo-Japanese war by the treaty of Portsmouth.
27.	Diplomatic entanglements created by the Pacific Coast prejudice against Japanese immigration avoided.
28.	Twenty-four   treaties of general arbitration negotiated.
29.	Interest  bearing   debt  reduced  by  more   than $90,000,000.
30.	Annual conference of governors of states inaugurated.
31.	Movement for conservation of natural resources inaugurated.
32.	Movement for the improvement of conditions of country life inaugurated.

In addition, President Roosevelt recommended reforms and policies subsequently obtained by his successor, among them being:
1.	Reform of the banking and currency system.
2.	Inheritance tax. Income tax.
3.	Passage of a new employers' liability act to meet
objections raised by the Supreme Court.
4.	Postal savings banks.
5.	Parcel post.
6.	Revision of the Sherman anti-trust act.
7.	Legislation   to   prevent overcapitalization, stock
watering and manipulations by common carriers.
8.	Legislation compelling incorporation under Fed
eral laws of corporations engaged in interstate commerce.
Met All Manner of Men
During his Presidency Mr. Roosevelt was democratic in his relations with not only men who had ideas to give him, but with men who were of service to him in living the strenuous life. "Professor" Mike Donovan at the White House boxed with him, and a jiu-jitsu artist taught the President the secrets of that science.

In explaining why he had " as a practical man of high ideals, who had always endeavored to put his ideals in practice," conferred with Mr. Harriman, the railroad magnate, and Mr. Archbold of the Standard Oil Company, the former President made these assertions:

"I have always acted and shall always act upon the theory that if, while in public office, there is any man from whom I think I can gain anything of value to the Government, I will send for him and talk it over with him, no matter how widely I differ from him on other points.

"I actually sent for, while I was President, trust magnates, labor leaders, Socialists, John L. Sullivan, 'Battling' Nelson, Dr. Lyman Abbott. I could go on indefinitely with a list of people whom at various times I have seen or sent for. And if I am elected President again I shall continue exactly the same course of conduct, without the deviation of a hair's breadth. And if ever I find that my virtue is so frail that it won't stand being brought into contact with either trust magnates or a Socialist or a labor leader, I will get out of public life."
Secret of His Success
The secret of Mr. Roosevelt's tremendous power, as explained by himself, is given in the following quotation, from which it is probable that the custom grew up of explaining him as an average man highly developed in all his faculties and of denying him rather sweepingly any decided endowment of genius:

"It has always seemed to me that in life there are two ways of achieving success, or, for that matter, of achieving what is commonly called greatness. One is to do that which can be done by the man of exceptional and extraordinary abilities. Of course this means that only one man can do it, and it is a very rare kind of success or greatness. The other is to do that which many men could do, but which, as a matter of fact, none of them actually does. This is the ordinary kind of greatness.

"Nobody but one of the world's rare geniuses could have written the Gettysburg Speech, or the Second Inaugural, or met as Lincoln did the awful crises of the Civil War. But most of us can do the ordinary things which, however, most of us do not do. Any hardy, healthy man, fond of outdoor life, but not in the least an athlete, could lead the life I have led if he chose—and by 'choosing' I of course mean choosing to exercise the requisite industry, judgment and foresight, none of a very marked type." It was due to the "vague passion for a new righteousness" perhaps that Mr. Roosevelt at times, instead of treating the tariff and currency legislation and economic government with his thought and pen, preached the "duty of mothers to bear large families, the need for big business to be honest, the advantage of correct spelling, the desirability of making life simple, strenuous and successful."

All topics "on which he could safely generalize he treated with assiduity," and in "no other case has the Executive pen dwelt so extensively upon matters generally confined for discussion to the home, the schoolroom and the church."
Idealist and Opportunist
Roosevelt the man was both an idealist and an opportunist—an idealist in his ends and an opportunist in his methods. How to adjust idealism and opportunism, how to live for a future ideal but in the actual present, how to face the facts as they are and not lose the ambition to make them better, is a perpetually shifting problem which no man can perfectly solve.

It is true that he was criticized on the one hand by the practical politician for not being practical and on the other hand by the reformer and the scholar for sacrificing ideals to practical politics.

The attitude of Mr. Roosevelt toward the governing of men has been said to be that of "a strong man rejoicing," as leadership with him was instinctive. The hurly-burly of conflict impending and actual "was to him a great gladness." Joy in work—the elation and exultation of strong competition—was often the motive power of his accomplishment.
The seven and a half years of his Presidency were rife with struggle and conflict, and having come through the years of contention and having revelled in every minute of them, he was "deterred from entering no fight because the contest was likely to be hot.'' When he left the Presidency he said, "I have had a corking time."

The description of one of his adherents during the years of his Presidency stands in contrast with other words of Roosevelt's own, as follows:

"In Washington, during the crises of his Presidency, when he was being badgered and thwarted beyond endurance, when schemes on which his whole heart were set were in peril, he sometimes exploded with anger, scorn, and denunciation, and the outburst was always one of exhilaration. It was tonic to him to be in a fight and hitting the hardest, and his vehemence was that of the natural, pugnacious, elemental man with his back to the wall."

Getting Close to the People
President Roosevelt's popularity throughout the country was attested by the enthusiastic receptions extended to him by the people of the United States during the various trips he made. Even President McKinley, warmly as he was held in esteem by the people of the country, received no more cordial welcomes than President Roosevelt in his tours over the United States. Both Presidents came in contact with the people directly; talked to them from the rear end of their cars; from the platforms in crowded houses and halls; and looking into the faces of those in front of him President Roosevelt seldom indeed had reason to suppose that there was any feeling against him anywhere. He believed that there was no better way of getting close to the people than by going around among them, talking to them, and shaking their hands.

During his first term of office the President made about thirty-five trips out of Washington. Most of these were very short, being for the purpose of making speeches at various points in response to the wishes of conventions, societies, etc.; going to his home in Oyster Bay to vote or spend the summer; visiting his alma mater and friends at Harvard; inspecting affairs at Annapolis and West Point; presenting medals for marksmanship at Seagirt, N. J., and short hunting trips into Virginia. The President's love for his eldest son, Theodore, Junior, and the natural anxiety of a father, induced him to spend five days at Groton, Massachusetts, in February, 1902, when Theodore, Jr., lay at the point of death from pneumonia. The faithful father remained at the bedside of his son until the crisis had passed.

At the Charleston Exposition
The first tour of prominence taken by the President was to the Charleston, S. C., Exposition, in April, 1902. The President spent some time in Charleston, and was most cordially received there. His next trip was to Pittsburgh on the 4th of July, 1902, at which time he delivered a speech to 50,000 people and received an ovation. His speech was significant, in connection with his attitude on the trust question and his intention to have the Attorney-General proceed against those that were believed to be violating the Sherman and other anti-trust laws. Mr. Roosevelt at that time plainly indicated that the laws of the country must be obeyed by individuals and corporations; that there would be no discriminations against one or the other, but that no matter how tremendously wealthy a corporation might be, it could not exist if it was operating in violation of the laws of the United States. It was about this time that he directed Attorney-General Knox to begin an investigation of the operations of some of the big trusts, and these investigations led to proceedings which have become famous in the legal annals of the United States.

Three important trips were made by the President in the late summer and fall of 1902. One was to the New England States, and lasted from August 2 to September 3. The President visited a number of cities in the different States, and everywhere was received in the most generous manner. It was at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, while on this journey, that he came near losing his life. While driving across the country his carriage was struck by a trolley car and overturned, killing Secret Service Detective Craig, and seriously injuring the President, former Governor Crane of Massachusetts, and Secretary Cortelyou. Despite the severity of his own wounds and the seriousness of the shock, the President's first thoughts were for the Secret Service officer, who had been knocked from the box where he had been riding with the driver. He was very much shocked when he learned that Craig had been killed.

Everywhere on this journey the President made speeches which showed the variety of subjects with which he was acquainted, and the depth of his information on these subjects. The speeches were conservative, thoughtful, and tactful, and went far toward establishing him in the confidence of the people.

Attends Firemen's Convention
After the New England trip, President Roosevelt made a journey to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the purpose of attending the biennial convention of the Brother-hood of Locomotive Firemen. On his way to Chattanooga, he went through West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, speaking at Wheeling and several points in Ohio. At every one of these places he was received with great cordiality, and the people freely applauded his speeches. In Chattanooga the locomotive firemen received him with great warmth, and the people of the city entertained him in the most hospitable manner. The firemen elected the President an honorary member of their Brotherhood, and the speech he made to them won for him the lasting friendship of the members of this organization, and of all railroad organizations in the United States. He compared the hazardous duties of the engineer, fireman, conductor, and other railroad employees to those of a soldier, and said that he had often declared that there was no class of men in the world braver or more noble than railroad men, who took their lives in their hands daily, and whose courage, endurance, and manhood frequently saved hundreds of lives, often at the sacrifice of their own.

Recalled the Days of Chickamauga
While in Chattanooga, Mr. Roosevelt went over the battlefields of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and Chickamauga, having the various points of interest pointed out to him by officers in the army stationed in the neighborhood.

It was upon his arrival at the battlefield of Chickamauga that those with the President and the thousands that were assembled there got an exhibition of the President's splendid horsemanship. The finest troop of cavalry stationed at Chickamauga rode up to the President's carriage, and a splendid cavalry charger was put at his disposal. He vaulted into the saddle with the ease of the most experienced and graceful cavalryman, and then galloped away at a pace which unsaddled several of the troopers, caused others to lose their caps, and still others to lose their places in the ranks. The President out rode every trooper in the company, and after that there was not a soldier among them who would not have given his life for the Chief Executive. No word or act could have done more to enshrine Theodore Roosevelt in the hearts of the soldiers than his daring ride across the dusty battlefields of Chickamauga that day. And he evidently enjoyed every moment of the experience.
Trip Over the Northwest
Returning from Chattanooga, the President stopped at Knoxville and other points in Tennessee, visited Ashe-ville, North Carolina, and made talks at other points in that State and Virginia on his way back.

Ten days after the return from this tour the President started on a five days' trip over the Northwest, visiting Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and other States. On this trip the great respect and esteem of the people were shown in their reception of his speeches and other joyous greetings.

In 1903 Mr. Roosevelt made a notable fourteen-thou-sand-mile journey across the country from ocean to ocean and through the Southwest. He revisited the scenes in North Dakota of his ranching days and was everywhere received with enthusiastic acclaim. Interesting details of this trip, with summaries of the numerous addresses made by the President en route, have been given by Mr. Addison C. Thomas in his excellent work entitled "Roosevelt Among the People" (The L. W. "Walter Company, Chicago)—a work which received the personal endorsement of Colonel Roosevelt.
Scandalized the Senators
President Roosevelt probably was the only occupant of the White House who ever had boxing matches within its sacred precincts. Mike Donovan used to go there frequently to meet the President. Mr. Roosevelt also used to fence with his old commander, General Leonard Wood, and once nearly disabled the General, it is said. He also staged a motion-picture play in the White House, showing his old Oklahoma friend, Jack Abernathy, killing wolves with his bare hands. Jack was among those present, and so were General Wood and several ambassadors.

It gave great scandal to many reverend senators to see the way in which such successors of Leatherstocking as Abernathy and Bill Sewall went to the White House and got the President's ear for hours at a time. Before Senator Hoar had come to know Mr. Roosevelt as he afterwards did, he went to the White House to remonstrate with him for appointing Ben Daniels marshal of Arizona. Mr. Hoar was one of the most dignified and sedate men in the Senate.

"Mr. President," said Mr. Hoar in horrified accents, "do you know anything about the character of this man Daniels you have appointed to be marshal of Arizona?"

"Why, yes, I think so," said Mr. Roosevelt, "he was a member of my regiment.''

"Do you know," said Mr. Hoar, impressively, "that he has killed three men?"

The President was scandalized. "You don't mean it,'' he said.

"It is a fact," said Mr. Hoar.

The President was thoroughly indignant. He pounded his fist on the table. "When I get hold of Daniels, "'he said,'' I will read him the riot act.   He told me he 'd only killed two."

Mr. Roosevelt had a vigorous vocabulary and was never backward about using it in a fight. He branded so many men as liars that a newspaper humorist coined the name "Ananias Club" and used it to include most of those who had incurred Mr. Roosevelt's enmity. The name stuck and the laugh lasted, but it did not deter Mr. Roosevelt from continuing to call people liars, in plain language, when the occasion and the circumstances seemed to justify him in doing so.
Blinded by a Blow
In all his athletic training and contests Mr. Roosevelt asked no favors of an opponent. He liked to give and take the hardest blows in boxing, as in politics, and no opponent was expected to "go easy" with him, when he was in the White House or at any other time. Nothing illustrates this rule better than an episode which the Colonel himself made public, only after the lapse of twelve years. In October, 1917, in the course of an interview with newspaper men, he told this story in explanation of his relinquishing the practice of boxing:

"When I was President I used to box with one of my aides, a young captain in the artillery. One day he cross-countered me and broke a blood vessel in my left eye. I don't know whether this is known, but I never have been able to see out of that eye since. I thought, as only one good eye was left me, I would not box any longer."

This story was too promising for the newspaper men to let drop without endeavoring to have it amplified by the soldier who delivered the blow.
A few days later, in the New York Times, appeared this interview with Colonel Dan T. Moore, of the United States Army:

camp meade, md., Oct. 27, 1917.—Colonel Dan T. Moore of the 310th Field Artillery Regiment, 79th Division, National Army, admits he struck the blow that destroyed the sight of Colonel Roosevelt's eye. He said:

"I am sorry I struck the blow. I'm sorry the Colonel told about it, and I'm sorry my identity has been so quickly uncovered. I give you my word I never knew I had blinded the Colonel in one eye until I read his statement in the paper a few days ago. I instantly knew, however, that I was the man referred to, because there was no other answering the description he gave who could have done it. I shall write the Colonel a letter expressing my regrets at the serious results of the blow.

"I was a military aide at the White House in 1905. The boxers in the White House gym were the President, Kermit Roosevelt, and myself. The President went farther afield for his opponents in other sports, but when he wanted to don the boxing gloves he chose Kermit or myself."

"Tell about the blow that blinded the President."

"I might as well try to tell about the shell that killed any particular soldier in this war. When you put on gloves with President Roosevelt it was a case of fight all the way, and no man in the ring with him had a chance to keep track of particular blows. A good fast referee might have known, but nobody else. The Colonel wanted plenty of action, and he usually got it. He had no use for a quitter or one who gave ground, and nobody but a man willing to fight all the time and all the way had a chance with him. That's my only excuse for the fact that I seriously injured him. There was no chance to be careful of the blows. He simply wouldn't have stood for it."

Colonel Roosevelt, when informed of Colonel Moore's statement, said: "There is nothing more to say about the matter."

There was Roosevelt the Man all over. What other man, in public or in private life, would have suffered such an injury in silence, and concealed it from even his intimate friends, for a period of twelve years?
Helps Taft to a Nomination
In accordance with his assertion that he would not run for the Presidency again, the President, throughout the year 1908, worked strenuously for the nomination and election of his personal candidate, William H. Taft, then Secretary of War. The Republican Convention met in Chicago on June 18. Mr. Taft was nominated on the first ballot, and the following day James S. Sherman was named for Vice-President.