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Erie, Pa.
Sept. 2, 1938.
Had a long session in Hank Hoffman's office this morning with Thoen and Charlie Sibert regarding correcting the Ford locomotive water radiators, which have leaked badly since they got the engines. Thoen, a tall, husky beetle browed, blond Swiss or German represented Modine. Thoen admitted he couldn't account for the trouble as we have the same section on the New Haven and Big Moncon switchers. The thing he evidently doesn't know is that on the New Havens, the lower header is floating taking up expansion strains, & I didn't bring it up as Hoffman has been running this show. At any rate Thoen offered to let us have a complete set of new design for the difference in cost between the old and new & I think we'll have to take it - about $750 - and perhaps we ought to. I think we rather frigged Thoen on keeping the New Haven mounting under our hat. Hoffman did it unknowingly originally and then didn't want to back down. Thoen seemed honestly stumped and I felt rather sorry for him as I know they are losing plenty on the job as it is.
Maurice has practically handed me the job of answering Emmett's dig at us so that is another job ahead requiring plenty of diplomacy as, the way Maurice feels now, he's not going to be satisfied at anything less than a scathing comeback damning Woodward's people to hell and gone and I don't feel that way about it.
Am starting today on my writing program, getting a bunch of notes organized tonight and studying Uzzell again. Believe the review of "Narrative Technique" is essential before starting any new plotting. I am rusty now and it will save a lot of time, I feel certain.

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