TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, The Kansas City Star letterhead, August 21, 1918. TR replies to a letter from William J. Stanton of Boston. In part: “I share your doubts as to whether the restrictions and legislation to which you refer are necessary. But I have been very careful to make no criticism on anything the Administration has done where I have any doubt whatever.” Intersecting folds, one passing through one letter of the signature, uniform overall toning, paper loss and short tear to lower left corner, edge chips, scattered pin holes, and moderate toning, staining, and soiling, otherwise very good condition.
Using stationery from the Missouri newspaper where he worked as a contributing writer on current events, the former president offered no clue as to which “restrictions and legislation” in the Wilson Administration he was referring, but there were many from which to choose. A year earlier, Congress authorized TR to raise four divisions of volunteers to fight in France—a group dubbed Roosevelt's World War I volunteers. Wilson, however, refused to accept this offer from his political enemy. That same year, the War Industries Board set war goals and policies for American factories, the Food Administration encouraged Americans to participate in "Meatless Mondays" and "Wheatless Wednesdays" to conserve food for the troops overseas, and the Federal Fuel Administration introduced daylight savings time and rationed fuel supplies to keep the US military supplied. Interestingly, Roosevelt had sent this letter just over a month after his youngest son, Quentin, was killed in aerial combat over France. The death was a great loss to Roosevelt, who never fully recovered and died within six months. Even during a time of mourning, this correspondence shows the former chief executive’s willingness to be accessible to his former constituents. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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