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Theodore Rex. Edmond Morris. (Random House, 2001, 555 pp.) (Reviewed by Al Albrecht, Former Professor at Goshen College, MARP board member from Goshen, IN)
Today's merging of corporations into ever larger monopolies and with Enron's collapse from its oversize, "Theodore Rex" is a timely read. President Roosevelt, at the beginning of the 1900's, tried, with the help of Congress, to prevent the formation of ever larger combinations and trusts, the terms used then for what we today we call monopolies or conglomerates. Under President McKinley, who was assassinated in 1901, big business had free rein, to the displeasure of Vice-President Roosevelt.
Thus, in his first message to Congress, President Roosevelt revealed his concern for the recent merger of two major railroads, the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific into Northern Securities by boldly stating, "In the interest of the public, the government should have the right to inspect and examine the workings of the great corporations." And then to signal that he disapproved of even smaller businesses arranging collusions, he further stated, "The nation should, without interfering with the power of the States in the matter itself, also assume power of supervision and regulation over all corporations doing interstate business."
Because of his constant efforts to control "big business" during his seven years in the presidency, historians refer to Roosevelt as the "trust buster."
Physically a powerful man, Roosevelt engaged in vigorous hikes, hunted wild animals in the West, (repulsing a pack of wolves by kicking them into a state of fear, killing a cougar with his knife) and played a mean game of tennis almost daily. He also read voraciously - a book or two a day.
Author Morris describes in this biography how Roosevelt persuaded Congress
to build the Panama Canal, to liberate Cuba, to establish national parks, to pass "pure food" laws, to enact employer liability legislation and to pass other progressive measures.
Because of Roosevelt's successful use of power, many members of his Republican Party hated him, especially the big bankers and industrialists, though they "greased the skids" by giving generously of their funds to his presidential campaign of 1904, even as the rich boys do today as evidenced by Enron.
On the other hand, many people loved this president, especially the working class, as reflected in the popular child's toy, the Teddy Bear. The author slyly comments on the power of the man in using "Rex' in the title of this book, for it is a Greek word meaning "king."
Author Morris makes history come alive with his imagery in recounting the various events and activities in which Roosevelt participated, and so it is an exciting review of the United States at the turn of the 20th Century. If you are a history buff, you will enjoy the book. If you are not, reading this book may turn you into a history afficionado.
Morris is well qualified to write of Roosevelt's presidential years for in 1980 he received the Pulitzer Prize for his THE RISE OF ROOSEVELT which covered the years before his presidency.
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