The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-05-21
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF The
NAVY FRANKLIN D, ROOSEVELT
NSPECTS MUNITION PLANTS
Spends Busy Day in Bridgeport Talks to $4,000 People
and Sees How Guns, Shells, and Cartridges Are
Made-Hoists Flag at Lake Company and Shakes
Hands With Apprentices

Assistant Secretary of the Navy
stay in Bridgeport, addressed fully
$4,000 persons in his visits to the
Lake Torpedo Boat Co.'S plant,
U. M. e. plant, Remington-Arms plant,
Black Rock naval base headquarters,
the Red Cross committee workers at
The Stratfield and at the huge rally in
the State armory last evening. Fol-
lowing his talk at the armory he took
train for Washington. During the
intervals between the time he arrived
here and the time between the visits
at the different factories yesterday
afternoon and the dinner hour at The
Stratfield last evening he was enter
tanned by Archibald Mcneil, Jr.
Accompanied by a large delegation
of the Red Cross campaign workers
and newspapermen, and camerman,
the assistant secretary was escorted to
the Lake Torpedo Boat Co.'S plant
where an inspection was made of the
various buildings. A trip into one of
the new submarines, nearing compile
ton was one of the features of the
visit. Following the boat inspection
Secretary Roosevelt reviewed the
naval men at the plant, who are to
man the new boats as fast as COM
pleted.
Two 15-year-old lads, electricians
helpers at the plant, were accorded
the privilege of shaking hands with
the secretary. James Duffee and Oil
yer Chavin, both of whom were busy
at their work, were interrupted by
Collector of Port James L. McGoyern
who introduced them to the Assistant
Secretary. To say that the boys were
not more than glad would be putting
it mildly. They smiled all over. They
were two of the few workers who
had the privilege to shake hands and
| speak to the distinguished guest.
Following a brief inspection of the
several new boats still in the primary
stages of construction the party was
escorted to the reviewing stand that
had been erected in the center of the
yard where Secretary Roosevelt spoke
few minutes. The entire plant
turned out en- masse for the celebra-
ton after which Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt broke out the flag thai
was flown to the breeze over depart
ment 101.
! After a group picture was taken the
party next visited the .. M. c. com.
Ipany's plant where they were showr
how bullets are made from the star
to the finish. No celebration was helc
here as the party was scheduled to bt
at the Remington Arms company!
plant where a huge denpnstrationeha6
been arranged.
Here the Browning gun in its max
ing and the complete machine wert
shown. Secretary Roosevelt wa.
shown how he could manipulate on
of the mechanisms were he somettn'
lin the future called upon to do SO
After a ride about the grounds tn
party drew up in front of the mali
loffice where the 1900 employees wer'
! grouped around the reviewing stant
which had been erected for the spe
cial occasion. On the outside of tn
fence were gathered some 1000 per
sons residing. in the vicinity to wit
ness the festivities.
Mr.. Kimba1l, of New York, genera
manager of the Remington Arms com
pany, told of his great pleasure In be
ing in Bridgeport and at the com
nanv's plant on such an occasion an
after a few remarks introduced Sec
reta-y Roosevelt, who told the EN-
ployes that their work, maybe thi
month, next month, or possibly mex
year, may save the lives of many Q
the boys on the other side or thos
crossing the ocean and which wi
mean ultimate victory far the Unite