President Roosevelt visits Higgins

From 17 September – 1 October 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt undertook a cross-country inspection of the nation’s defense plants. On 29 September 1942, Roosevelt made his only stop in Louisiana; from 9-10 am that morning, Roosevelt met with A.J. Higgins and visited the Higgins Industries’ City Park Plant. The President toured the plant (inside and out) in a convertible, visiting the assembly and production bays. The Higgins band played Hail to the Chief, Anchors Aweigh, and the Higgins Victory March. After giving the President “three cheers” and a rousing ovation, Higgins shouted to his workers, “And now, the President would like to see how quickly you can get back to work.”

Post by Kimberly Guise.