F.D.R. Picked Up Train at Catholic U. to Avoid Union Station Congrestion

The Tower reported in February 1942 that former United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made a quick stop at the University before departing by train to an undisclosed location. The University had a railroad station at the time. Previously, he had recieved an honorary degree from CUA in 1933.

“Mr. Roosevelt stepped from his car to the station platform, to a fast westbound train, in a few seconds,” said the article. “The obvious reason for this action was to avoid congestion at Union Station.”

Students welcomed Roosevelt’s short appearance. “We say welcome any time, Mr. President,” the article read. “Catholic University wants to serve the country in any and every capacity, and if this lowly station serves the purpose, use it.”

In March, a member of Roosevelt’s staff at the White House, known as Mr. Hassett in a message found in archives, phoned to ask the name of the Editor of The Tower, who, at the time, was Arthur Mullen of Omaha, Nebraska. In their conversation, Hassett told Mullen that, in regards to the article printed about Roosevelt, “such things are not to printed about the president.”

Ryan J. Reilly and Michael Oliva contributed to this report.

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