126 206
“I HAVE BEENTRYINGTO . . . STRAIGHTEN
THE FACTORY INSPECTION MATTER”
186
●
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE. Typed Letter Signed, as Governor, with a 3-word
holograph correction, to journalist Jacob A. Riis (“Dear Jake”), expressing both pride and
humility at having been included in Riis’s book, noting that he and [James Bronson]
Reynolds had dined, and expressing hope that the matter concerning factory inspection
would be resolved. 1 page, 4to, “Executive Chamber” stationery; a few short closed separa-
tions at folds repaired with tissue verso. (TFC)
Albany, 17 February 1900
[700/1,000]
“
Needless to say, I take the greatest pride in having my name in your handwriting at the front
of your book and my photograph thought worthy to be put in it. If I were foolish enough to
need any reward for what I had done, I should feel that I had it ten times over in what you
have said about me, old man, in this book. Most of it is undeserved . . . . But I won’t pretend
to say that I regret to have it in, . . . it will ever be a source of keen pride to me to show to my
children.
“
Reynolds has just been here . . . and I have been trying to plan out some way by which we
can straighten the factory inspection matter. I think we shall be able to do it.”
In 1906, Roosevelt commissioned the Neill-Reynolds report, which revealed the unsafe and
unclean conditions in U.S. meat packing plants.