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29 assembly today and am on the "Saratoga No.2," one of the turbo-generators for the "U.S.S.Saratoga." Most of today's work was conducted underneath the turbine amid a labyrinth of pipes, braces, supports, straps, etc. It is lots of fun, and it is fun to work with the men. [[underlined]] To Mother, December 11, 1924: [[/underlined]] Am working on a new turbine high pressure packing on a testing machine where the water seal is to be tested. For the first time, I learned how the high-pressure packing works. It is a device which keeps the high pressure steam at the front of the turbine from leaking out through the place where the shaft enters the turbine casing. It is extremely complicated. The poor steam is lead back and forth through a labyrinth of little passages, is sucked off to the condenser at a couple of places, and finally is condensed in a water seal, or a solid wall of water near the atmosphere. The ingenuity of such devices is wonderful. Here is the path the unfortunate steam must take to escape from the turbine -- no wonder it is baffled! [[image - labelled sketch of aforementioned turbine high pressure packing]] The German mechanic has the crest of Germany tattooed on his arm and speaks very broken English. He keeps one wheel of his push cart in his locker when he is not using it, so that no one can steal the wagon. "Old Carl," the boss, is a character too. He is rated next to Billy Edwards, the mechanic I told you I would probably work with next month. They say he is a [[underlined]] real [[/underlined]] character. Knows more about the fine arts, and the sciences, than 99 out of 100 college graduates. He wears a full beard and looks more like some college president walking around in overalls, than a mechanic. Don't you think I am having a great experience? [[underlined]] To Mother, December 14, 1924: [[/underlined]] You radio set is complete and functioning quite well after a couple of small changes. There is only one more change I may possibly make, but am not sure yet. I got several stations with your set which I never had with mine, such as WQV Pittsburgh, WPG Atlantic City, and WKBF Providence, I think you had better get the phones before I come because otherwise we couldn't have them until after Christmas.